R.C. Sproul, founder of Ligonier Ministries, explores the profound differences between God's eternal qualities and human attributes. He highlights God's unique incommunicable traits, such as independence and simplicity, asserting that divine attributes are unified unlike those of created beings. Sproul discusses God's self-existence and the implications of aseity, reminding us of our dependency on Him. Ultimately, he emphasizes how understanding these divine characteristics enriches our worship and reverence for God's greatness.
God's incommunicable attributes, like aseity and immutability, distinguish Him as self-sufficient and eternally unchanging compared to mutable humans.
Understanding God's unique qualities emphasizes His supremacy and encourages believers to worship Him for His consistent holiness and glory.
Deep dives
Understanding God's Attributes
The attributes of God are crucial for understanding His nature, as they define the characteristics that make Him distinct from created beings. God possesses attributes such as holiness, immutability, and infinity, which are essential for forming a coherent understanding of His essence. These attributes can be categorized into two groups: communicable attributes, which can be shared to some extent with humans, and incommunicable attributes, which cannot be transferred to any creature. The distinction is vital for Christians to grasp, as it illustrates the fundamental difference between God's divine nature and human beings, emphasizing that God's attributes define His being as a singular, simple entity.
The Concept of Aseity
Aseity refers to God's self-existence, meaning He has the power of being in and of Himself, without reliance on anything else. This powerful attribute emphasizes that God is not a created being and does not need anything, such as oxygen or food, to sustain His existence, unlike humans. The idea that God is self-existent leads to the conclusion that if anything exists at all, there must have been a necessary being that possesses the power of being independently. This understanding underscores God's supremacy and highlights how humans exist in dependence on Him for both creation and sustenance.
The Implications of God's Immutability
God’s immutability signifies that He is eternally unchanging, which stands in contrast to the mutable nature of all creatures. While humans exist within time and are subject to change, God's attributes, such as His holiness and omnipotence, are consistent and united. For instance, God's omnipotence is always a holy omnipotence, illustrating that God's characteristics do not clash but instead coexist in perfect harmony. This understanding leads to the realization that God’s greatness deserves reverence and worship, and it becomes essential for believers to recognize and honor His immutable nature.
As mutable creatures, we are always changing. But God is forever the same. Today, R.C. Sproul studies the unique attributes of God that we do not share, characteristics that spur us to worship the Lord in all His holiness and glory.
Receive R.C. Sproul’s book Everyone’s a Theologian, his 60-message teaching series Foundations: An Overview of Systematic Theology as a special-edition DVD collection, and lifetime digital access to the messages and study guide, all for your donation of any amount: https://gift.renewingyourmind.org/3887/donate
Meet Today’s Teacher: R.C. Sproul (1939–2017) was known for his ability to winsomely and clearly communicate deep, practical truths from God’s Word. He was founder of Ligonier Ministries, first minister of preaching and teaching at Saint Andrew’s Chapel, first president of Reformation Bible College, and executive editor of Tabletalk magazine. Meet the Host: Nathan W. Bingham is vice president of ministry engagement for Ligonier Ministries, executive producer and host of Renewing Your Mind, host of the Ask Ligonier podcast, and a graduate of Presbyterian Theological College in Melbourne, Australia. Nathan joined Ligonier in 2012 and lives in Central Florida with his wife and four children.
Renewing Your Mind is a donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts
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