Systematic Theology I Theology Proper The Personality of God

The Meaning of Personality “One of the most important truths about God is that He is personal” (McCune, p. 189). But what does that mean? “‘Personality is a name given to the nucleus of a definite group of functions or characteristics…personality is living, intelligent, purposive, active, free, self-conscious, emotional spirit’” (Alva J. McClain, as cited in McCune, p. 189).

The Components of Personality Spirituality “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:24). The second commandment prohibits the making and worshipping of any image of God. As spirit, God has no necessary connection with matter. He is therefore distinct from His creation. He existed before matter existed, and He Himself has no bodily parts. But doesn’t Scripture speak about God’s eyes and hands? Scripture does employ anthropomorphisms to describe God, however, in order for finite humans to understand God’s character. How then do we explain those texts that say someone saw God (Exod. 24:10-11; Exod. 33:11; Isa 6:1)? These are theophanies, in which God was not seen as an invisible spirit, but in a visible form in which He chose to manifest Himself (e.g., cloud, pillar of fire, burning bush, dove).

The Components of Personality Life “For who is there of all flesh, who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived?” (Deu 5:26). But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King (Jer 10:10). Life refers in its theological sense to potential energy or activity directed by its own intelligence. God is able to do things external to Himself, including: impart life to others (Gen 2:7); speak (Deu 5:26); create and preserve the universe (Jer 10:12-13); deliver His people (Dan 6:26-27); work miracles (Josh 3:14-16); save men from sin (1 Tim 4:10); judge and punish sinners (Heb 10:30-31).

The Components of Personality Intelligence “Intelligence may be thought to be comprised of knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, as Scripture suggests” (McCune, p. 196). “Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed” (Hannah in 1 Sam 2:3). And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD (Isa 11:2). The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, And the skies drip with dew (Prov 3:19-20). Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! (Rom 11:33). “As used here, knowledge is the perception of facts, understanding is insight into the meaning of facts perceived (correlation), and wisdom is the ability to put the facts together for good ends” (McCune, p. 196).

The Components of Personality Purpose “Purpose is reacting to a future goal, which actually exists only in the mind, as if the goal were already present” (McClain, as cited in McCune, p. 197). “…He [God] alone always acts in light of His eternal goals (Eph. 1:11; 3:11), goals which He set by Himself (His decree) and for His own self-glory. Importantly, God’s purposes cannot be frustrated, as Isaiah says, ‘For the Lord of hosts has planned, and who can frustrate it’” (14:27) (McCune, p, 197).

The Components of Personality Action For Thou, O LORD, hast made me glad by what Thou hast done, I will sing for joy at the works of Thy hands. How great are Thy works, O LORD! Thy thoughts are very deep (Psa 92:4-5). …as the living God, He is able to do things external to Himself, and, as the active God, He does them (McCune, p. 197). “Comprehended in this are all the works of God in creation, miracles, preservation, providence, and salvation” (McCune, p. 197). “God acts from His internal, self-sufficient energy, and thus, His acts do not add to Him or fulfill some need or inner potential. God does not need nor depend on anything external to Himself for anything, including His own activity outside Himself” (McCune, p. 197).

The Components of Personality Freedom “Freedom means that God is wholly self-determined. He is not bound by anything outside of Himself. He is independent of all that He created” (McCune, p. 198). “But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does” (Job 23:13). “But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What hast Thou done?‘” (Dan 4:35).

The Components of Personality Self-Consciousness And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM” (Exod 3:14). “Self-consciousness is the ability to objectify self. That is, it is the ability to make oneself the object of one’s own thought, a definition to which W.G.T Shedd helpfully adds, ‘and knowing [one] has done so’” (McCune, p. 200).

The Components of Personality Emotion “There is genuine emotion in God. And, as with the other personal qualities described here, emotion too arises out of spirit” (McCune, p. 201). “Emotions, while certainly connected to physical processes (e.g., bodily organs and chemistry), are nevertheless aspects of the immaterial” (McCune, p. 201). God’s emotions as described in Scripture run the gamut of human emotions.

The Attributes of God – Part I Read Chapter 7 in McCune, pp. 203-244 Next Week: No Class due to Missions Conference Next Class will be Nov 6 The Attributes of God – Part I Read Chapter 7 in McCune, pp. 203-244