Through nature and sound reason, some of God’s essential attributes are made known to us and confirmed through sacred Scripture. Let’s see what we can learn about God from what we know about our world.
Essential attributes of God revealed by nature and reason.
The divine being, whom we call God, has made Himself known, in part, through what He has made. When we consider the immense diversity of creation, we stand in awe! So, what can we learn about God from general revelation?
God is a unity, who is eternal, infinite, and not dependent on anything
First, He must be the One and only One who needed no start, because He alone had no beginning. He always existed. If anything exists now, something must have always existed since out of nothing, nothing comes. Therefore, He is infinite, having pure actuality, which is not dependent on anything for His existence. Consider these attributes:
- Unity: The concept of unity in God suggests that there is only one ultimate source or principle of all that exists. This is often derived from the observation of order and harmony in the universe. If there were multiple ultimate sources, it would likely lead to chaos or conflict, rather than the coherent and unified system we observe.
- Eternality: Eternity implies that God exists outside of time and is not subject to temporal change. This is reasoned from the nature of time itself, which is a measure of change. If God were subject to time, He would be subject to change, which would imply imperfection or potentiality. An eternal being is unchanging and perfect, existing beyond the confines of time.
- Pure Actuality: Similar to eternality, the concept of pure actuality means that God is fully realized and has no potentiality. In philosophical terms, potentiality implies the capacity to change or become something else, which suggests imperfection or incompleteness. A being of pure actuality is fully complete and perfect, lacking nothing.
- Independence: The independence of God means that He is not contingent upon anything else for His existence. This is derived from the principle of sufficient reason, which states that everything must have a reason or cause for its existence. If God were dependent on something else, He would not be the ultimate cause or necessary being. Instead, God is seen as the necessary being that causes and sustains everything else.
These conclusions are often supported by classical philosophical arguments, such as those from Aristotle and Aquinas, who argue for the existence of a first cause or unmoved mover that is necessary, eternal, and fully actualized. These attributes are traditionally ascribed to God in many theistic philosophies and religions.
God has the power to bring everything into existence and sustain it
The intricate order and complexity observed in the universe suggest the presence of an intelligent designer. The laws of nature, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the complexity of life point to a power capable of designing and sustaining such a system. He may choose to work through secondary causes, but as He is the primary cause for all things, even the secondary causes trace their beginnings back to Him.
Beyond creation, the continuous existence and functioning of the universe suggest a sustaining power. The laws of physics and the consistent behavior of natural phenomena imply that there is a force or power that maintains the universe’s order.
Philosophically, this is often attributed to God, who not only creates but also sustains the universe, ensuring its continued existence and operation. He gives life, He sustains it, and He can take it away.
God is all-knowing, sovereign over all, and partially knowable
The argument from natural revelation that God must know all things, be sovereign over His creation, and be knowable but not comprehensively can be constructed through careful observation of the natural world and philosophical reasoning:
– Omniscience (God Knows All Things):
- Order and Complexity: The intricate order and complexity of the universe suggest a mind that comprehends all aspects of creation. The precise laws of physics, the complexity of biological systems, and the vastness of the cosmos imply a knowledge that encompasses all things.
- Purpose and Design: The apparent purpose and design in nature indicate a designer who understands the end goals and functions of creation. This understanding requires comprehensive knowledge of all elements and their interactions.
– Sovereignty (God is Sovereign Over Creation):
- Causality and Control: Observing the cause-and-effect relationships in nature, it becomes evident that there must be a primary cause that governs these interactions. This primary cause, or God, exercises control over creation, ensuring its order and continuity.
- Sustenance and Governance: The continuous existence and governance of natural laws suggest a sovereign power that maintains and directs the universe. This sovereignty implies authority and control over all creation.
– Knowability (God is Knowable but Not Comprehensively):
- Revelation Through Nature: Nature reveals aspects of God’s character, such as His power, wisdom, and creativity. This revelation makes God knowable to some extent, as humans can perceive and understand these attributes through observation and reason.
- Infinite Nature: While God is knowable through natural revelation, His infinite nature means that He cannot be comprehensively understood by finite beings. Human understanding is limited, and while we can grasp certain truths about God, His essence and full nature remain beyond complete comprehension.
God is a Personal God
The argument that God is a personal God, exhibiting characteristics of personhood, can be constructed by examining both the nature of human beings and the implications of a created order.
– Characteristics of Personhood:
- Thinking and Deliberation: The complexity and order of the universe suggest a mind capable of thinking and deliberating. The intricate design and purpose observed in nature imply a thoughtful process behind creation.
- Feeling and Moral Sensitivity: The existence of moral laws and the human capacity for empathy and compassion suggest a source that is morally sensitive. The presence of good and the human inclination towards justice and love point to a personal God who embodies these qualities.
- Decision and Judgment: The natural world operates under consistent laws and principles, indicating decisions and judgments made to maintain order. This reflects a personal God who decides and judges with wisdom and purpose.
- Planning: The apparent purpose and direction in the universe suggest a planner who envisions and executes a coherent plan. This aligns with the idea of a personal God who plans and orchestrates creation.
– Human Personhood:
- Source of Personhood: Humans possess qualities of personhood, such as rationality, emotion, and moral awareness. These qualities are the highest aspects of our being and suggest a source that also possesses these attributes.
- Imago Dei (Image of God): The concept that humans are created in the image of God implies that our personhood reflects God’s nature. If our personhood did not originate from a personal God, it raises the question of where these qualities could have come from.
– Philosophical and Theological Implications:
- Origin of Personal Qualities: If humans, as personal beings, possess qualities such as thought, emotion, and morality, it is reasonable to conclude that these qualities originate from a personal source. A non-personal force or entity would not account for the personal aspects of human nature.
- Relational Aspect: The personal nature of God implies a relational aspect, where God desires to relate to His creation. This is reflected in the human capacity for relationships and community, suggesting a personal God who values connection and interaction.
In conclusion, the argument for a personal God is supported by the observation of personal qualities in humans and the implications of a created order that reflects thought, emotion, decision, and moral sensitivity. These characteristics suggest a personal God who is the source of our personhood and who desires a relationship with His creation.
Conclusion
These characteristics of God are considered “mixed articles“, which means they’re taught through both nature and the Bible. As Scripture says, there is no excuse for any of us to be agnostic about God, because He has made His power and divine nature clearly seen and understood. We must acknowledge Him for who He has revealed Himself to be and always give Him thanks!
We will discuss what general revelation reveals about God’s moral, virtuous, and holy nature in an upcoming post.
Discover more about this God and our relationship to Him
For a summary of other attributes of His nature, go to our Posts Directory web page. These posts are listed by major topic for your convenience.
But, if you’re now ready to know what your relationship is before God, Ask yourself two very important questions. First, are you sure that you’ll go to heaven when you die? Secondly, are you certain why God should let you into heaven? If you don’t know for sure, you can settle that matter today. Visit my post, How to Begin Your Life Over Again and you’ll know where and how you’ll spend eternity.
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