I. 3. A.-The Incommunicable Attributes

I. Theology Proper

3. Nature and Attributes of God

A. The Incommunicable Attributes

We have previously learned how the knowledge of God is exhibited in creation, but more clearly and familiarly in the Word of God. Through the Scriptures we see the nature of God taught through His works. This discussion of God’s nature is infinitely massive, but we will look at an index of His works, categorically, with hopes of leading you to a structure of Biblical study where you can search for and identify different categories of His nature during your intimate study of Him in His written revelation of Himself. 

As one could imagine, the categorization of such a huge topic varies according to time period and personality of the reader. Even though all categorizations vary significantly, they all attempt to do the same thing, i.e. Present God’s nature in an orderly and clear fashion. Which theory of categorization you choose doesn’t matter much because there has been no sufficient evidence to promote one method as superior over the rest. However, for this study, I will use the system of categorization (that Grudem uses) which is the simplest and most logical. It separates the attributes of God into two different categories based on their relationship with God and man. The first is incommunicable attributes, i.e. Those attributes of God which are distinctly God’s, not shared (communicated) with man. The second is communicable attributes, i.e. Those attributes of God which man can identify with in some limited way and are thus “communicated” between man and God.

In Scripture, there are three main attributes of God that override all others and are sufficient enough, if studied by themselves, to lead a person to understand the person of God better. These three are loving-kindness, on which are entire safety and well-being exists; judgement, which is daily exercised on the wicked, and awaits them in more severity for eternal destruction; and righteousness, by which the faithful are preserved and cherished. These attributes can be further expanded into truth, power, holiness, and goodness. These all rely on the above three, which, if true, produce the lower plus even more that coincide with the perfection attributed in the above three. Therefore, with these three uncategorized and seemingly simple attributes, we are adequately furnished with the means of glorifying God. However, in an attempt to understand God greater and deeper which makes our relationship still sweeter and more meaningful, read on as we will delve deeper into the infinite topic of God’s nature.

Incommunicable Attributes:

The incommunicable attributes of God are probably the easiest to understand because we cannot relate to them at all. There are no pre-conceived ideas in our minds to muddle our thoughts or provide confusion. In an attempt to cut down on this massive task, I may list some attributes with minimal definitions. If you want more clarity on a particular point, let me know (aka: COMMENT!)

1. Independence

God’s independence is defined as follows: God does not rely on the creation for anything, yet the creation can glorify Him and bring Him joy. God is absolutely independent and self-sufficient. (Acts 17:24-25): God needs nothing from mankind. (Job 41:11): No one has ever contributed anything to God that did not first come from Himself. God, as a being, is totally unique. It is not that God does not need the creation for anything, but He could not need the creation for anything. The fact that we bring God joy infers that our life is not meaningless. (Isa 43:7): God made us for a significant purpose, i.e. HIS GLORY- (also: Eph 1:11-12; Rev 4:11).

2. Immutability

Immutable means unchanging, or not subject to change. Let me make a few factual statements of God’s immutability then come back and address a couple. God is absolutely immutable in his essence and attributes. He can neither increase nor decrease. He is exalted above all other causes. He is subject to no process of development, or of self-evolution. His knowledge and power can never be greater or less. He can never be wiser or holier, or more righteous or more merciful than He ever has been and ever must be. He is no less immutable in His plans and purposes. (James 1:17; Num 23:19; Mal 3:6; Ps 33:11; Proc 19:21; Is 14:24; Is 46:9-10). One objection to His absolute immutability are the Scriptures in which anthropomorphic language is in use, i.e. Language that gives human characteristics to God so that we can understand Him (God repented that he ever made the Israelites). This language is not literal, but anthropomorphic. Were it literal, it would imply that God changed his mind, therefore nullifying His immutability. Thus, this type language is very important to understand and not mis-interpret. Other exemplary texts are as follows: Gen 6:6; 1 Sam 15:10; Jonah 3:10, and etc.

3. Eternity

The infinitude of God relative to space is his immensity or omnipresence- which we will discuss below. That infinitude relative to duration is His eternity which we will now discuss. As he is free from all limitations of space, so He is exalted above all the limitations of time. With Him there is no distinction between the past, present and future; all things are equally and always present to him. With him duration is an eternal now. This is the scriptural view of His eternity. (Ps 90:2; Ps 102:25-27; Is 62:15; Is 44:6; Ps. 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8; Heb 13:8; Rev 1:4; etc) He is called the eternal or everlasting God; who only hath immortality. The primary revelation of Himself to His covenant people was as the “I AM.”

4. Omnipresence

The second form of God’s infinitude is His omnipresence. It goes hand-in-hand with the previous point. God is not only unlimited in time, he is unlimited in space. The definition of omnipresence is as follows: God does not have size or spatial dimensions and is present at every point of space with his whole being, yet God acts differently in different places. Deut 10:14 gives evidence to God’s lordship over space.

5. Unity

Figure 1

The doctrine of unity is defined as follows: God is not divided into parts, yet we see different attributes of God emphasized at different times. This doctrine has also been referred to as simplicity, meaning that less than common meaning of “not complex” or “not composed of parts.” But, this word has now been dumbed down to refer to an object as “easily understood,” which is not the meaning of this doctrine, hence the alternate, better name of unity. The Bible speaks of God as one Being, but having multiple attributes all being equal to each other. Therefore, we should not think of God as various attributes added together as in Figure 1. Rather, we should think of God’s whole being including every attribute: he is entirely loving, entirely merciful, entirely just, etc. Every attribute of God we find in Scripture is true of His entire or whole Being (Figure 2). So, why does the Scripture break up this thatch-work of God into single attributes? Probably because we can only handle one at a time! We need to see God in phases, but never apart from the full picture of His total character. 

Figure 2

Blogging for His glory, Adam Setser