The
Reformation: Its Causes and Its Theology
Lesson
5: The Theology of the Reformation: The Attributes of God
By John C. Orlando, Jr.
I.
Attributes of God
A. Infinite perfection’s of God that reveal who and what God is: Omnipotence, Omniscience, Holiness, Love
B. The Unity of God: God’s whole being includes all of His attributes: He is entirely holy, entirely loving, etc.
II. God’s Omniscience: God knows all things at once, God’s knowledge is an eternal act--His knowledge never changes or grows.
III. God’s Omnipotence: Grudem, “God’s omnipotence means that God is able to do all His holy will.” (Is 14:27). Important as it relates to man’s/God’s ability in salvation. Can man, by the power of his will, overcome the power of God’s will? Reformed = no; non-reformed = yes.
IV.
God’s Sovereignty
A. There are no maverick molecules or autonomous atoms.
B. Gen1:1; 1 Chr 29:11; Dn 4:35; Is 14:27, 45:7, 46:9-10; Jr 18:6, 32:17,27;Lm 3:37-38; Ez 11:17-20; Mt 10:29-30,11:25-27; Jn 3:27; Ac 15:18; 1Ti 6:15; Rv. 4:11,19:6.
C.
His power exercised as, when, and where He wills (Stephen stoned/ Peter
delivered).
D.
Delegation of His power to others: some rich/poor, strong, live long,
etc. (Pr 22:2).
E.
The exercise of His mercy, grace, and love (Rom 9:15; 11:4-7; Eph 1:3-5).
F. Reconciling
God’s Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
1. Two truths: God is sovereign/man is responsible:
There
are limitations to our understanding, but God has provided us a sufficient
amount of information to enable us to understand the most fundamental principles
of His nature, His sovereignty, and human responsibility.
“This then is the religious humility of the Calvinist.
He confesses: I don’t know. I
can’t understand everything, but since it is in the Bible that God is 100%
sovereign and yet I am responsible, I believe.” - Edwin Palmer, The 5 Points
of Calvinism
2.
Joseph: Gen 45:7,50:20; prophecy; Jesus: Ac 2:22–24; salvation:
Rom 9:6–21
G.
Practical Aspect: Rom 8:28: Since
God is completely in control, we are now able to have confidence in
Him. God is involved in every
second of my life. My prayer,
faith, and gifts are means
God will use to bring about what He foreordained from all eternity.
He privileges me, according to nothing but His amazing grace, to
participate in His plan to advance His Kingdom.
V.
Conclusion: God
is sovereign in all His attributes. His sovereignty is foundational—it lays at
the base of our theology, and all other doctrines flow from it.
One cannot have a wholly accurate view of any Biblical doctrine without
first understanding the sovereignty of God and how the other doctrines relate to
it.