Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 - Shedd - XIII - Chapter 1 (Nature and definition of God) concluded

Required reading

Dogmatic Theology Vol 1 by William G.T. Shedd (Available from Amazon or free here) - Conclude Chapter 1 Nature and Definition of God.

My summary

Today we continue to learn about the nature and definition of God.  

Last week we saw that God is substance.

This week we see that God is personal which demonstrates that he is self-conscious.

Shedd then teaches us what self-consciousness is by contrasting it with consciousness.

Shedd also demonstrates the self-consciousness within the trinity which means that God is not dependent upon the world for his personality.

What grabbed me

I appreciated the emphasis upon God's self-consciousness apart from creation: 

'Thus the Divine personality, in the light thrown upon it by the revealed doctrine of the trinity, is seen to be wholly independent of the finite. God does not struggle out into self-consciousness by the help of the external universe. Before that universe was created, and in the solitude of his own eternity and self-sufficiency, he had within his own essence all the conditions of self-consciousness. And after the worlds were called into being, the divine personality remained the same immutable self-knowledge, unaffected by anything in his handiwork.

"Oh Light Eterne, sole in thyself that dwellest, 

Sole knowest thyself, and known unto thyself, 

And knowing, lovest and smilest on thyself!" 

Dante: Paradise, xxxiii. 125.'

God is content with himself.  He does not need us for anything!

Next week's reading

Read Chapter 2 The Innate Idea and Knowledge of God.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.