Theology Thursday - Definitions of God

Deuteronomy 6:4–15 KJV 1900

4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: 5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 10 And it shall be, when the Lord thy God shall have brought thee into the land which he sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, 11 And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not; when thou shalt have eaten and be full; 12 Then beware lest thou forget the Lord, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 13 Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name. 14 Ye shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the people which are round about you; 15 (For the Lord thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the Lord thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.

Theology Thursday – Systematic Theology: The Doctrine of Theology Proper

Lesson Focus: The Nature of God

Introduction: Understanding Theology Proper

Theology Proper is the study of God Himself—His essence, attributes, and nature. This is foundational to all Christian belief, as everything we know and believe flows from who God is. Conservative Baptist theologians emphasize a high view of God rooted in Scripture, rejecting human speculation and focusing on biblical revelation.

Definitions of God (From Baptist Theologians)

A.W. Pink (1886-1952) – “God is the eternal, self-existent One, infinite in being, perfect in holiness, sovereign in authority, and supreme in glory. He is the source of all life and truth.” (The Attributes of God)

James P. Boyce (1827-1888) – “God is an infinite, eternal, unchangeable Spirit, perfect in wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.” (Abstract of Systematic Theology)

Millard J. Erickson (1932-present) – “God is the unique, infinite, personal Being who is the Creator and Sustainer of all that exists. He is self-existent, uncaused, and completely independent.” (Christian Theology)

J.L. Dagg (1794-1884) – “God is the supreme being, existing from eternity in the unity of His own perfection, revealed in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with attributes of wisdom, power, and justice.” (Manual of Theology)

These definitions highlight God's eternal nature, independence, holiness, and triune nature.

God’s Essential Nature: What Scripture Declares About Who He Is

1. God IS Spirit

📖 John 4:24 – “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” 📖 Numbers 23:19 – “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent…”

Explanation:

God is not a physical being with limitations; He is invisible and omnipresent.

This means that He is not confined to a location or form but transcends all of creation.

Worshiping God requires spiritual engagement, not just outward rituals.

What does it Involve?

God is Incorporeal (without body): - Luke 24:39 “39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”

God is Invisible (not seen):

Colossians 1:15 “15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”

1 Timothy 1:17 “17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

God is Unlimited (not contained): Psalm 139:7 “7 Whither shall I go from thy spirit? Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?”

Anthropomorphic - This means that God represents Himself in human terms (for our benefit!) It’s the only way we can think of Him!

Application:

Worship must be sincere (spiritual), based on truth (biblical), and free from idolatry.

Since God is Spirit, we should rely on His Holy Spirit for guidance in prayer and daily life.

🔎 Cross References: 1 Timothy 1:17, Exodus 33:20, Luke 24:39

2. God IS Light

📖 1 John 1:5 – “This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

Explanation:

Light represents purity, holiness, and absolute truth.

There is no moral corruption, sin, or deceit in God.

God’s light exposes sin and leads His people into truth.

Application:

As God’s children, we must walk in the light (1 John 1:7), rejecting sin and deceit.

God’s truth illuminates our lives, guiding our decisions and actions.

🔎 Cross References: Psalm 27:1, John 8:12, James 1:17

3. God IS Love

📖 1 John 4:8 – “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”

Explanation:

God’s love is not merely an emotion but His very nature.

His love is sacrificial (John 3:16), steadfast (Romans 8:38-39), and unconditional (Deuteronomy 7:7-8).

God's love was supremely demonstrated in Christ’s atonement.

Application:

We must reflect God’s love in our relationships (Ephesians 5:2).

Knowing God leads to loving others (1 John 4:11).

🔎 Cross References: John 3:16, Romans 5:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

4. God IS a Consuming Fire

📖 Hebrews 12:29 – “For our God is a consuming fire.” 📖 Deuteronomy 4:24 – “For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.”

Explanation:

This symbolizes God's holiness and judgment.

Just as fire purifies gold, God refines His people through discipline (Malachi 3:2-3).

God’s judgment consumes sin, showing that He is both loving and just.

Application:

We should have reverence and awe for God (Hebrews 12:28).

We must flee from sin because God’s holiness demands separation from evil.

🔎 Cross References: Isaiah 33:14, Nahum 1:6, 2 Thessalonians 1:8

Conclusion: Responding to Who God Is

Since God is Spirit, we worship Him with sincerity. Since God is Light, we walk in holiness. Since God is Love, we love others as He loves us. Since God is a Consuming Fire, we revere Him and flee from sin.

These truths about God shape our worship, lifestyle, and faith. As we grow in the knowledge of God, we must live in awe, devotion, and obedience to Him.

Discussion Questions

How does understanding that God is Spirit affect your approach to worship?

What does it mean for believers to walk in the light of God?

How can we reflect God’s love in our daily lives?

Why should we fear God as a consuming fire, and how does that impact our Christian walk?