The Attributes of God God’s Greatness and Goodness

What is an Attribute? An “attribute” is a quality or characteristic of someone or something.An “attribute” is a quality or characteristic of someone or something. For example, an attribute of a sports car might be shiny wheels or fast acceleration.For example, an attribute of a sports car might be shiny wheels or fast acceleration. An example of an attribute in a human being might be red hair or a loud mouth! Attributes don’t always have to be positive, especially when speaking about humans!An example of an attribute in a human being might be red hair or a loud mouth! Attributes don’t always have to be positive, especially when speaking about humans! But God’s attributes are all PERFECT. In fact, many theologians have called God’s attributes His perfections.But God’s attributes are all PERFECT. In fact, many theologians have called God’s attributes His perfections. God’s attributes are best classified into two large categories, His attributes of GOODNESS and His attributes of GREATNESS.God’s attributes are best classified into two large categories, His attributes of GOODNESS and His attributes of GREATNESS. We’ll just call them God’s GREATNESS and God’s GOODNESS for short.We’ll just call them God’s GREATNESS and God’s GOODNESS for short.

Attributes of Greatness These are those characteristics of God that show Him to be supremely and uniquely God.These are those characteristics of God that show Him to be supremely and uniquely God. These attributes show His awesome power and His basic nature.These attributes show His awesome power and His basic nature. God’s GREATNESS are those qualities of God that He does not share with anyone else! These are qualities in which we cannot imitate God because they are only true about God Himself! We could say these are God’s UNSHARED qualities.God’s GREATNESS are those qualities of God that He does not share with anyone else! These are qualities in which we cannot imitate God because they are only true about God Himself! We could say these are God’s UNSHARED qualities. God’s attributes of Greatness help us answer the question: What is God?God’s attributes of Greatness help us answer the question: What is God?

Attributes of Goodness These are those attributes that show God’s excellent and sinless moral character. God is 100% pure in all His thoughts, actions, and attitudes.These are those attributes that show God’s excellent and sinless moral character. God is 100% pure in all His thoughts, actions, and attitudes. God’s GOODNESS are those attributes in which we can share with Him. In other words, they are areas in which we can be a little bit like God. We could say that these are God’s SHARED qualities.God’s GOODNESS are those attributes in which we can share with Him. In other words, they are areas in which we can be a little bit like God. We could say that these are God’s SHARED qualities. God’s attributes of Goodness help us answer the question: What is God like?God’s attributes of Goodness help us answer the question: What is God like?

Let’s See How Well You Understand God’s Attributes! In the next slide, you will see two columns. The column on the left is called “God’s Greatness,” the column on the right is labeled “God’s Goodness.”In the next slide, you will see two columns. The column on the left is called “God’s Greatness,” the column on the right is labeled “God’s Goodness.” A word descriptive of God (one of His attributes) will then appear. I will ask the class which column that word should go to and why.A word descriptive of God (one of His attributes) will then appear. I will ask the class which column that word should go to and why. Ready to go?Ready to go?

CLOSING THOUGHT However, upon further reflection we realize that this distinction, although helpful, is not perfect. That is because there is no attribute of God that is completely communicable, and there is no attribute of God that is completely incommunicable! This will be evident if we think for a moment about some things we already know about God.However, upon further reflection we realize that this distinction, although helpful, is not perfect. That is because there is no attribute of God that is completely communicable, and there is no attribute of God that is completely incommunicable! This will be evident if we think for a moment about some things we already know about God. For example, God’s wisdom would usually be called a communicable attribute, because we also can be wise. But we will never be infinitely wise as God is. His wisdom is to some extent shared with us, but it is never fully shared with us. Similarly, we can share God’s knowledge in part, yet we shall never share it fully, for God’s thoughts are higher than ours “as the heavens are higher than the earth” (Isa. 55:9). We can imitate God’s love and share in that attribute to some degree, but we will never be infinitely loving as God is. So it is with all the attributes that are normally called “communicable attributes”: God does indeed share them with us to some degree but none of these attributes is completely communicable.For example, God’s wisdom would usually be called a communicable attribute, because we also can be wise. But we will never be infinitely wise as God is. His wisdom is to some extent shared with us, but it is never fully shared with us. Similarly, we can share God’s knowledge in part, yet we shall never share it fully, for God’s thoughts are higher than ours “as the heavens are higher than the earth” (Isa. 55:9). We can imitate God’s love and share in that attribute to some degree, but we will never be infinitely loving as God is. So it is with all the attributes that are normally called “communicable attributes”: God does indeed share them with us to some degree but none of these attributes is completely communicable. Grudem, W. A. (1994). Systematic theology : An introduction to biblical doctrine (Page 156). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Inter- Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.Grudem, W. A. (1994). Systematic theology : An introduction to biblical doctrine (Page 156). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, Mich.: Inter- Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.