Christian theology is an intricate subject with multiple viewpoints and interpretations on who and what God is. The sheer amount of theological voices can often muddy the purity of the subject of God, making it essential to go back to the basics and understand God through His own word. The Bible, with over 3000 verses about God and His various names, helps us to understand who God is and His attributes. However, it is important to keep in mind that God is unfathomable and exists outside the created understanding of man. Even the prophet Ezekiel struggled to describe God when he saw Him in a vision. Nevertheless, God reveals His attributes through His word, and by understanding these, one can get a glimpse of who God is.
One of the most significant attributes of God revealed in the Bible is that He is the creator. Genesis 1:1 emphasizes that God was not created and is the creator of all things. He exists outside space and time, and it is solely through Him that all things were created. The Bible does not begin with how God came into being because He was already there before the beginning. However, it does begin with God creating humanity because that is where our relationship with Him begins; He formed our existence, thus forming our relationship with him.
Another attribute of God that the Bible reveals is that God is one God, no more, no less. Deuteronomy 6:4 says, “The Lord is our God, the Lord is one!” God wanted to make it clear that He is a single being. He consistently used pronouns such as “I” and “me” to talk about Himself. He is not multiple Gods, multiple voices, or multiple personalities. He is a single being that exists tangibly both in space and time and outside of space and time.
Many people see God as a nurturing and caring being, which is true, but He is also a God to be feared. Job 40:6-14 illustrates this point when God challenges Job and asks him if he could thunder with a voice like His. God is just and expects people to obey Him, but He also demonstrates grace and mercy. It is essential to understand both aspects of God’s character to have a balanced view of who He is.
The Bible reveals many attributes of God, but it is crucial to keep in mind that God is unfathomable and beyond human understanding. By understanding the biblical attributes of God, people can begin to develop a relationship with Him and learn to appreciate His grace and mercy while also acknowledging His power and authority. The Bible serves as a guide to know God, and by keeping the basics in mind, people can begin to have a pure and balanced view of who God is.