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Christian Doctrines. What We Believe and Why. Unity Defined. Definition: “God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.” Wayne Grudem , Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan), 177 . Unity Defined. AKA “simplicity”
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Christian Doctrines What We Believe and Why
Unity Defined • Definition: “God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times.” Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology(Grand Rapids: Zondervan), 177.
Unity Defined • AKA “simplicity” • Means “not complex” or “not made up of parts” • Does not mean unintelligent or lacking abilities
Unity Defined • Scripture never portrays one attribute as superior • Every attribute is completely true of God himself • Every attribute is completely true of all of God’s character
Unity Defined 1 John 1:5b God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 1 John 4:8b for God is love.
Unity Defined • God is not part light and part love, or only sometimes light and sometimes love • God is fully, eternally, and infinitely light and love
Unity Defined • God is not part one attribute and part another • All are fully true of all of God’s being
Unity Defined Exodus 34:6-7 Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin;
Unity Defined Exodus 34:6-7 yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”
Incorrect Views of Unity Higher/Lower Attributes
Incorrect Views of Unity Collection of Attributes
Incorrect Views of Unity Attributes Added to God
Biblical View of Unity LOVE Each Attribute Completely True of God
Biblical View of Unity LOVE KNOWLEDGE Each Attribute Completely True of God
Biblical View of Unity LOVE KNOWLEDGE HOLINESS Each Attribute Completely True of God
Biblical View of Unity LOVE KNOWLEDGE HOLINESS MERCY Each Attribute Completely True of God
Biblical View of Unity LOVE KNOWLEDGE HOLINESS MERCY WRATH Each Attribute Completely True of God
Biblical View of Unity GOD Each Attribute Completely True of God
Unity Understood • God is a unified, completely integrated whole person • God is infinite in all his attributes • We see different attributes expressed to different degrees at different times • We cannot grasp all of God’s infiniteness at one time
Unity Understood • We must recognize, understand, and approach God for who he is in his unified totality, not in who we want him to be