The term ‘biblical metanarrative’ can also be used instead of a ‘grand biblical narrative.’ Either way, they mean an overarching storyline, the main story of the entire Bible from Genesis to the Revelation. Is there one? If so, what is it?
Let’s look into this interesting biblical topic.
This post is about communicable attributes of God. He shares them with us More specifically, this post explores the character of God in these attributes.
I only briefly discuss this model / theory of knowledge. This is philosophical theology (in which I am not an expert). But this particular theory has, believe it or not, Scriptural support. (Yes, I was surprised too.)
The big word literally means “all-knowing” or “all knowledge.” He absolutely and totally and exhaustively knows himself, his creation, and you. I also discuss middle knowledge (a.k.a. Molinism) and open theism. (I updated this post.)
These names and titles and activities and metaphors reveal his character and outreach towards needy humans. Many tables and Scripture references are included.
Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes and tsunamis—natural disasters slam humankind every year. Did God do that? What does the Bible say? Two different covenants make all the difference—a progressive revelation.
You did something you regret. You said something that you want to take back. Good news! You’re a prime candidate for God the Redeemer to deliver you out of your troubles and buy you out of your self-inflicted prison.
This study looks at this attribute of God from a personal point of view. It is relevant to your life.
What do the Scriptures say? Fifteen major things, just a sample, of what he is doing right now.
It is never expressed against his New Covenant community (unless you get a speeding ticket).
What’s with all the wrathin’ and a-smitin’ in the Old Testament? If grace teachers don’t explore this topic, some people may accuse them of hiding unpleasant truths and focusing on feel-good, sugarcoated doctrines alone.
This short post covers the gist of his main points. He tries to provide an answer to this thorny question. Great for students in Phil. 101 and other interested readers.
He shares it with us. It means everything to your life in Christ. Let is shine on you.
It flows out of the Old Testament and expands its meaning to include the Son and the Spirit.
God shares this attribute with us, in manifesting his presence, even visibly sometimes. God’s glory can even include material prosperity. Don’t believe it?
The Old Testament reality of God’s glory is carried forward into the New Testament. God communicates this attribute with us, in manifesting his presence, even visibly sometimes.
God’s attribute of beauty flows out of his goodness, glory and light, and shines on all of his creation and his highest creation—us.
It is closely related to glory. He is great, splendid, triumphant, dignified, and awesome.
We now begin the “Summary” attributes (perfection, blessedness, beauty, majesty, and glory), which means they complement and summarize and are comprehensive of the previous ones. They are capstones, so to speak.
This attribute means God knows himself in all his absolute perfections and takes calm delight in who he is. He exists and lives in totally and absolutely perfect blessedness.
No one tells him what to do or bosses him around or forces his hand. He is large and in charge. His will shall prevail in the end. How does human free will interact with this?
If your child were under attack, what would you do? That (imperfect) surge of protection that you feel comes close to the biblical definition of (perfect) jealousy in God. It’s about his protection over you.
It is an unpleasant topic until we understand it. Then it makes sense. God wrath is judicial. Think of an old English judge who wears a white wig.
This is one of God’s moral attributes or perfections, and it is communicable to us because we are made in the image of God and because he graces us with the capacity to do them, though imperfectly. We’re humans, after all.
This word is scary for some and delightful for others. Where do you stand?
We can see peace in the larger society and inner peace for each individual. We must receive it by faith in Christ.
Without it, we would be doomed because we would get what we deserved—quickly.
Gracious literally means “full of grace.” God cannot stop being gracious and showing us favor. It is in his very nature and being.
“God is love” (1 John 4:6, 16). But what does that mean? What does it look like?
He takes pity on you to deliver you or set you free. Only Jesus demonstrated the verb “to show compassion.”
He is good all the time and can never stop being good. It is in his very being. No matter your circumstances, he is still good. In Scripture, goodness is both moral and material—good things.
This means that God’s words are true, he is faithful, his character is trustworthy, and his promises will be fulfilled.
Since God is infinite and wise, he is infinitely wise. We can trust him to see us through difficult and confusing times.
Some biblical verses say God cannot be seen, but other verses seem to say he can be seen. How can we reconcile them?
This means he is immaterial or nonphysical.
This means he is all powerful and sovereign. He is able to do everything according to his holy will and whatever is not a moral or essential contradiction.
This is known as his omnipresence. There is no place in the universe where he is not there—he is in every corner.
God is greater than the universe. He is limitless and boundless. But he chooses to relate to us anyway. He is personal.
This attribute is important to us because it puts things in the right perspective. For God it’s the long game.
This means he is uncompounded and noncomposite and without moving parts. He does not gain or lose an attribute, nor is an attribute attached to him from the outside. It means God’s perfect unity.
We can build our lives on this great attribute of God—his stability and constancy. But wait. Does God change who he is when we pray?
On a personal level, it means he does not need us, but we need him—desperately, even when we don’t realize it.
An attribute is also called a perfection. in some contexts. It is amazing. God can never improve or get worse. He is who he is, period.
Here is a list of the principal works referenced or used at this site. More will be added as time goes on, so please check back.
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