Systematic Theology (Vol 1) - Hodge - XXVI - Chapter 5 (Nature and attributes of God) continued

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 '12 Justice'.

My summary
Today we continue to learn about the attributes of God.

Firstly Hodge teaches us about the will of God: 'God then as a spirit is a voluntary agent.  We are authorized to ascribe to Him the power of self-determination.'

Secondly Hodge speaks about the power of God.  Hodge makes the distinction that in comparison to human power, 'With God means are unnecessary.  He wills, and it is done.'

Thirdly Hodge discusses the holiness of God which 'is a general term for the moral excellence of God.'

What grabbed me
Hodge was very good at dismissing false understandings of each of the attributes of God.

For example, I liked his dismissal of the philosophical concept of 'absolute power': 'By absolute power, as understood by the schoolmen and some of the later philosophers, is meant power free from all the restraints of reason and morality. According to this doctrine, contradictions, absurdities, and immoralities, are all within the compass of the divine power. Nay, it is said that God can annihilate Himself...It is, however, involved in the very idea of power, that it has reference to the production of possible effects. It is no more a limitation of power that it cannot effect the impossible, than it is of reason that it cannot comprehend the absurd, or of infinite goodness that it cannot do wrong. It is contrary to its nature. Instead of exalting, it degrades God, to suppose that He can be other than He is, or that He can act contrary to infinite wisdom and love. When, therefore, it is said that God is omnipotent because He can do whatever He wills, it is to be remembered that his will is determined by his nature. It is certainly no limitation to perfection to say that it cannot be imperfect. '

Absolute power as described here is an absurd notion.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 5 (Nature and attributes of God) by reading up to the heading '13. The Goodness of God'.

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