Theology Proper - Who is God?                           Lesson 13

Review:

Analogous Attributes

 

 

 

If we are to know God, if he is going to              to us then He has to put that info into the frame of reference that man can understand.

 

 

Look at God's problem, His mind knows no end, no boundary, no limits and He has to teach us, with our pea brains who and what He is like.

- God used anthropomorphisms to do just that.

 

    #1 - Ask, What can that particular anthropomorphism do?

    #2 - apply that capability to God,

    #3 - Understand that He would have that characteristic to an infinite degree.

 

         Example: Dt. 33:27

 

         Example: Isa. 59:1

 

         Example: Jn. 10:29

 

 a. OMNISCIENCE

              1. Definition: God knows all things completely.

        The "all things" takes in five categories.

        past, present, future, actual and possible

2. Scripture:

God knows all things perfectly; Job 37:16

- His understanding is infinite; Ps 147:5  (misephar innumerable)

- God has perfect knowledge of each individual person and of all our human experiences:

(a)         Man's ways are known to the Lord (Ps. 33:13-15;     Pro. 5:21; 

 

 

           *** Ps 139:1-6

 

 

 

             - David is saying: God is so great, His knowledge is  incomprehensible.

 

 

(b)         Man's words are known to the Lord, (Matt. 12:35-37);

 

(c)         Man's thoughts are known to the Lord (1 Chron. 28:9; Ps. 94:11; 139:2,4; Matt. 9:4);

 

(d)         Man's sorrows and trials are known to the Lord (1 Cor. 10:13; Rev. 2:9-10, 13);

 

(e) Man's future actions and final state are known to the Lord (Isa. 44:28-45:5; Matt. 25:31-34, 41; Acts 27:22-25)

- God knows from all eternity [past] what shall be in all eternity [future], the entire plan of the ages and the part of every man in that plan (Isa. 46:9-11; 48:3-7).

 

3. Scope of Omniscience

a.  All things past - Acts 15:18;

 

b.  All things present - Ps 33:13; sees all right now

 

c.  All things future – Rom. 4:17; Isa 46:10; 46:9;

 

d.  All things possible - Mt 11:20-21

 

e. All things even animals and inanimate objects;

Mt 10:29; even as insignificant as hairs on your head; vs:30 Isa. 40:26 all stars are named.

 

f.  All things thought - Ezk. 11:5

 

4. The anthropomorphism that is used most often to express and illustrate OmSc = eyes, seeing  2 Chr 16:9;   Heb 4:13