This session, "The Attributes of God Part 4," is the eleventh installment in the "Studies in Theology" series, continuing the exploration of Christian doctrine as anchored by 1 Timothy 4:16: "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this, thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee". The series emphasizes that doctrine is a "warm and living and vital and absolutely necessary" part of the Christian walk. The study of God's attributes precedes discussions of the individual persons of the Trinity to underscore that each attribute applies equally to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, with no one member possessing them in greater or lesser measure.
The session began with a review of previously discussed attributes:
• Pervasiveness of God: God is Living, Personal, Spirit, Eternal, Infinite (encompassing Immensity and Omnipresence), Immutable (unchangeable), and Unified.
• Perfections of God: His Omnipresence (everywhere with His whole being at all times, seeing all thoughts and actions), Omniscience (knowing all things—actual, past, present, future, and possible—in one eternal act, never learning, possessing infinite understanding and wisdom), and Omnipotence (exhaustless power in creation, providence, redemption, and our lives, bound by His holy character, making it impossible for Him to lie or sin). The previous session concluded that to oppose such a God in any measure is "utter folly" and "complete madness".
• Goodness of God: The previous session also covered God's goodness, manifested as Benevolence (unselfish interest in us for our own sake, providing for saints and sinners), Mercy (goodness towards those in need, even requiring preparation and counting the cost), Grace (goodness towards those who deserve punishment, bestowing undeserved favor based on Christ's work), and Patience (goodness in withholding punishment from persistent sinners over time).
This session focuses on the Holiness of God:
1. Definition of Holiness: The Hebrew word "kadesh" means to be pure and, primarily, to be separate or set apart for a particular use. The Greek word "haggi" also means separate, with the added connotation of an "awful terrible mystery" or inspiring terror and fear. Things called "holy" in the Bible (e.g., ground, Sabbath, nation, ark) are primarily set apart and consecrated for a specific use, with purity and goodness intrinsically contained within this separation.
2. God's Holiness: When the Bible calls God holy, it means He is the separate one, ultimately and transcendentally removed from everything else. Holiness is not something God possesses, but Holiness is what God is; it is a summary of everything He is and a synonym for His deity. Unlike love, which God is, God is called "the Holy One" as a name.
3. Isaiah 6:1-8: This passage profoundly illustrates God's holiness.
◦ The seraphim cry "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts," repeating "holy" three times to emphasize it to the ultimate degree. This triple repetition is unique to holiness among God's attributes.
◦ The seraphim use two of their six wings to cover their face and two to cover their feet, indicating that even these sinless, pure angels cannot abide the holiness of God.
◦ Isaiah's response, "Woe is me, for I am undone," reveals his immediate realization of utter impurity and unworthiness in the presence of God's holiness.
4. Aspects of Holiness:
◦ Transcendent Majesty/Glory: God dwells in unapproachable light, which no man can see.
◦ Transcendent Purity: God's absolute purity means He cannot coexist with impurity, evil, sin, or corruption in any measure. He cannot tolerate or overlook these things. This leads to the profound question: "How can a holy God allow man, any man, to even exist?" rather than "Why is there suffering?" or "How can a loving God send anyone to hell?".
Continued
https://ccmilwaukee.com/podcasts/media/2009-04-29-systematic-theology
