Systematic Theology Series (02) - God

In this post, we will look at some of the basic biblical truths about who God is. This post is adapted from my systematic theology book - Knowing the Doctrines of the Bible.
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God created all things:

“In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth,” (Genesis 1:1, NRSV)

God has always existed, and will always exist.

“2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2, NRSV)

God has a name.  In Hebrew, His name is “YHWH”, which is usually translated "the LORD" (with block capitals) in the Old Testament.

“18 Let them know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18, NRSV)

We do not know for sure how YHWH was pronounced, but "Yahweh" is a popular suggestion.  The ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament is known as the Septuagint.  It doesn’t attempt to tell us how to pronounce YHWH, but simply uses the Greek word kyrios (“lord”) in its place. The New Testament, written in Greek, also doesn’t use the name “YHWH” when it quotes from the Old Testament. Where the Hebrew Old Testament has “YHWH”, the New Testament reads kyrios ("lord").
The name YHWH possibly means "He is" (there are various views). If this is correct, the name “YHWH” expresses God’s eternal existence.  Several titles are connected to the name “YHWH” in the Old Testament:

• YHWH Yireh (Genesis 22:14) - YWHW will provide
• YHWH Ropheka (Exodus 15:26) - YHWH your healer
• YHWH Nissi (Exodus 17:15) - YHWH is my banner (victory)
• YHWH Mekoddishkem (Exodus 31:13) - YHWH your sanctifier
• YHWH Shalom (Judges 6:24) - YHWH is peace
• YHWH Saboath (1 Samuel 1:3) - YWHW of hosts (armies)
• YHWH Rohi (Psalm 23:1) - YHWH is my shepherd
• YHWH Tisdkenu (Jeremiah 23:6) - YHWH is our righteousness
• YHWH Shammah (Ezekiel 48:35) - YHWH is there

 God is omnipotent.  This means that He is all-powerful and can do anything He wants to do:

“37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”” (Luke 1:37, NRSV)

God is omnipresent i.e. He is everywhere:

“7 Where can I go from your spirit? Or where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7, NRSV)

God is omniscient i.e. He knows everything:

 “3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3, NRSV)

God is holy.  The word “holy” means “set apart”.  God is set apart from sin, and also set apart in the sense that He is unique – there is no one like Him:

“3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”” (Isaiah 6:3, NRSV)

God is invisible:

“17 To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Timothy 1:17, NRSV)

God is immaterial (spirit).  Science can never discover God, He discloses Himself by revelation:

“24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”” (John 4:24, NRSV)

God is eternal.  This means that He will never cease to exist:

“2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” (Psalm 90:2, NRSV)

God is good:

“8 O taste and see that the Lord is good; happy are those who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8, NRSV)

​God is righteous.  He can only do what is right:

“15 O Lord, God of Israel, you are just…”” (Ezra 9:15, NRSV)

​God is light; there is no evil to be found in Him:

“5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5, NRSV)

God is a consuming fire – He has the power to destroy us instantly and is therefore not to be messed with:

“29 for indeed our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:29, NRSV)

God is wise:

“27 to the only wise God…” (Romans 16:27, NRSV)

God is love:

“16 So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” (1 John 4:16, NRSV)

There is only one God:

“4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.” (Deuteronomy 6:4, NRSV)