Theology Thursday!

A Complex God

Today’s theological topic will examine the doctrine of God. Specifically, we will be looking at the interaction of 4 of God’s attributes in light of God’s will. We will define God’s will as follows: God’s will is to glorify himself in the highest degree. Evidence of this is found in Ps. 46:10:

"Be still, and know that I am God.


I will be exalted among the nations,


I will be exalted in the earth!"

(if this is a difficult concept to take in, let me know and we will look at it more in-depth on a later Thursday)

That established, let’s look at the selected 4 attributes – Knowledge, Wisdom, Goodness, and Power.

First, the knowledge of God refers to His omniscience, or his ability to know all things and all possibilities/outcomes of all things:

1O LORD, you have searched me and known me! 2You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

3You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

4Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

5You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it. (Ps. 139)

Second, the wisdom of God refers to His ability to know the greatest possible outcome of every situation:

In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11)

13 "With God are wisdom and might;

he has counsel and understanding. (Job 12:13)

Third, God’s goodness refers to His innate goodness with which He governs His creation, as seen through His faithfulness and love for His people.

Come and see what God has done:

he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. (Psalm 66:5)

The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…. (Exodus 34:6)

Lastly, God’s power refers to His ability to accomplish all things He wishes

Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. (Chronicles 29:12)

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God,to receive glory and honor and power,for you created all things,and by your will they existed and were created." (Revelation 4:11)

"I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. (Job 42:2)

After chewing on these things a bit, let’s digest them altogether (great metaphor, I know). Here are some conclusions:

• God’s wisdom assures us that His plans are the best of all possible scenarios
• God’s knowledge assures us that there are no greater scenarios possible that He has not foreseen
• God’s goodness, combined with wisdom and knowledge, assures us that His plans are the best possible outcome for us
• God’s power assures us that He will accomplish His sovereign plan
• The final result: God will be glorified in the highest by His sovereign will, and His greatest glory is, in turn, our greatest possible good.