Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 5 (Nature and attributes of God) by reading up to the heading '9. The will of God'.
My summary
This week we continue learning about God's attributes.
Firstly Hodge teaches us about the eternal nature of God: ' We believe what we cannot understand. We believe what the Bible teaches as facts ; that God always is, was, and ever will be, immutably the same ; that all things are ever present to his view ; that with Him there is neither past nor future ; but nevertheless that He is not a stagnant ocean, but ever living, ever thinking, ever acting, and ever suiting his action to the exigencies of his creatures, and to the accomplishment of his infinitely wise designs. Whether we can harmonize these facts or not, is a matter of minor importance. We are constantly called upon to believe that things are, without being able to tell how they are, or even how they can be. '
Secondly Hodge discusses the immutability of God: 'He can neither increase nor decrease. He is subject to no process of development, or of self-evolution. His knowledge and power can never be greater or less. He can never be wiser or holier, or more righteous or more merciful than He ever has been and ever must be. He is no less immutable in his plans and purposes. Infinite in wisdom, there can be no error in their conception ; infinite in power, there can be no failure in their accomplishment. '
Thirdly he teaches us about the knowledge of God, including discussion of:
(i) pantheistic theory;
(ii) scientia media;
(iii) foreknowledge;
(iv) wisdom.
What grabbed me
I always enjoy considering how each of the attributes relate to one another: 'This infinite knowledge of God is not only clearly and constantly asserted in Scripture, but is also obviously included in the idea of an absolutely perfect being. Such a being cannot be ignorant of anything ; his knowledge can neither be increased nor diminished. The omniscience of God follows also from his omnipresence. As God fills heaven and earth, all things are transacted in his presence. He knows our thoughts far better than they are known to ourselves. This plenitude of divine knowledge is taken for granted in all acts of worship. We pray to a God who, we believe, knows our state and wants, who hears what we say, and who is able to meet all our necessities. Unless God were thus omniscient, He could not judge the world in righteousness. Faith in this attribute in its integrity is, therefore, essential even to natural religion. '
God's omniscience is a crucial doctrine.
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 5 (Nature and attributes of God) by reading up to the heading '12 Justice'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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