Blasphemer

I have not studied the bible, and I know many of you know more about it than me... What does the bible define god as? Are there verses supporting his omnipotence, omnibenevolence, omniscience, transcendence, etc.? I know that these attributes contradict each other, and it would be helpful to know where the bible describes god as such.(Please say specifically where the bible says these).

The only one that I know, is the one that everyone else does, Isa.45.7 - God is the creator of all (good and evil).

Al Fresco

The following are a few passages that describe some of the attributes of the three-in-one God of the Bible:

omniscience - Job 34:21, John 16:30, 21:17, and 1 John 3:20.

omnipotence - Rev. 19:6, Jer. 32:17, and Luke 1:37.

transcendence - Matt. 5:48, John 3:31, Exod. 18:11, Col. 1:18, and 2 Chron. 2:5.

omnibeneficence - Exod. 34:6 (doesn't specifically indicate omnibeneficence but does give the impression that He is considered to be a pretty darn nice guy.)

Of course, I am sure you realize that biblical passages could also be cited to show that God does not possess any of the attributes listed above.

Clarice O'C

Hi,

Interesting topic. When speaking of the bible as a whole it seems like there are two gods: Yahweh and the NT god, the one god in three persons. I think that there are different attributes for all of them.

While we're at it, maybe we could also tie into: What does god do? (or maybe that should be another thread?).

All of this assuming there is a god(s).

Best,
Clarice

Magus55

First of all, the attributes don't contradict themselves, you just have the presupposition they do and humans can't fully comprehend those attributes because they exist no where in the natural universe.

Now on to some of his attributes (these are just a couple verses about the ones you specifically asked, there are tons of attributes to God):

Omnipotence:
Jer. 32:

17 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:

27 Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?

Omnibenevolence ( actually isn't a word, but is generally referred to as God's love):

John 4:

8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Omniscience:

John 3:

20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.

Transcendence:

Rom 11:33
O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Psalms 145:3
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.


Here is a list of some of God's attributes and the Biblical
reference. This afaik, isn't a complete reference:

http://www.carm.org/doctrine/Godis.htm

Magus55

The God of the OT and the NT are the same trinitarian being. God doesn't change even if it appears that way.

Godless Dave

More like three; scholars think the Old Testament is a synthesis of two distinct traditions. The "J" text generally uses the name Yahweh. This was a volcano God worshipped in the Middle East (hence the violence, fire, and brimstone). The "E" text generally uses the name "Elohim", plural of "El" (I think) which means god (I think). Hard to tell what the original authors were up to, but whoever compiled the Old Testament seemed to be using older stories to build a story of the Hebrew people that centered around worship of a monotheistic creator god who had chosen the Hebrews for special attention. The New Testament God is a different animal; or maybe he isn't. Unlike in the Old Testament, we never hear Yahweh (or Elohim) speak in the New; Jesus speaks for him. I think this is because Jesus's interpretation of how to worship the god of the Hebrews was a radical departure from whatever the established Judaism of the time was. Further, the New Testament is the work of several authors, each with their own beliefs and agenda. Paul, in particular, seems to have a vision of God and our relationship with Him very different from the vision spoken by Jesus in other parts of the NT.

mike_decock

Those attributes do contradict themselves, you just have the presupposition that they don't. Humans can't fully comprehend those attributes because they don't exist.

Omnipotent, except when it comes to driving out those pesky iron chariots, right?

Judges 1:19
And the LORD was with Judah; and he drave out the inhabitants of the mountain; but could not drive out the inhabitants of the valley, because they had chariots of iron.

-Mike...

Spaz

Does that sound dumb to anybody else or is it just me? That's like god is the biggest ass in the universe (well being god I guess it must be)

Blasphemer

Yeah, you can find just about anything in the bible

Actually I had the presupposition that these attributes did NOT contradict each other for much of my life... Recently, though, I have realized through simple logic that god’s nature does, in fact, contradict it self. Magus, you have to realize that, as Mike touched on, most people do have the presupposition that god cannot contradict himself - you cannot assume that I had the opposite presupposition.
Also, how can we fully comprehend that there is a god if he is beyond our nature in every way? He must be beyond our nature of knowledge, understanding, etc. How can we label him with attributes if he is so unknowable and ununderstandable? Your obvious response will be because he told us this about himself... but how can we even understand him if he is supernatural? How can we understand his talk to us if we cannot comprehend him?

Then there must be a god even if it appears that there is not... right? I guess we should forgo all logic and just accept all extraordinary claims as true - even if there is no evidence supporting them. I assume that you do not agree with the Muslim religion... it must not appear to be true to you. With your “logic”, it must be true, no matter what it appears to be. It’s not a very convincing argument, Magus, that because something appears to be the contrary of your claim, your claim is true is true. That is absurdly illogical.

Thanks for the website though, Magus, that helps. I know that the bible defines god as many other things, but the other two characteristics of god, along with the attributes mentioned above, that I was interested in were omnipresence and that god is “king” of the universe and/or earth. Please quote bible passages stating these qualities of god if you know them...
Magus, if you suggest that god is both omnipresent and transcendent you are ignoring the most obvious contradiction of god’s attributes out of all of them... but I’m sure there is some bible verse to justify it .

Keep posting examples for god’s other attributes, along with the ones just mentioned if you come across them, they are all very helpful.

Clarice O'C

Hi,

Now you're talkin' except for the gender you've provided.

Best,
Clarice