Theologians consistently describe God as the ultimate reality, the transcendent and immanent being who is the source and sustainer of all existence. He is understood as the infinite, eternal, and unchangeable God, perfect in all His perfections, holding absolute sovereignty over all creation.
The Nature and Attributes of God
According to theological understanding, God possesses a unique set of attributes that define His very essence. These attributes are not merely characteristics but are inherent aspects of who God is.
Core Divine Attributes
- Eternality: God exists outside of time, having no beginning or end. He is forever, transcending all temporal limitations.
- Immutability: God is unchangeable in His character, will, and promises. He is constant and reliable.
- Omnipotence: God is all-powerful, capable of doing anything consistent with His holy and perfect nature. He is the ultimate force.
- Omniscience: God is all-knowing, possessing complete and perfect knowledge of all things—past, present, and future, including all possibilities.
- Omnipresence: God is present everywhere at all times, not confined by space.
- Holiness: God is utterly set apart from all evil, perfectly pure, and morally flawless. His holiness is foundational to His being.
- Love: God's nature is fundamentally characterized by unconditional love and benevolence, which is perfectly expressed in His actions and relationships.
- Justice: God is perfectly righteous and fair, upholding moral order and administering justice perfectly.
- Wisdom: God possesses infinite understanding and perfect judgment, always acting in the most expedient and righteous way.
These attributes combine to portray God as a being of ultimate power, knowledge, presence, and moral excellence.
Creator and Sustainer
Theologians affirm that God is the sovereign Creator and sustainer of all things. This means He brought the universe into existence out of nothing (creatio ex nihilo) and actively upholds its continued existence. He is not merely a distant observer but intimately involved in the fabric of creation.
Incomprehensible Yet Knowable
A key paradox in theological understanding is that while God is incomprehensible in His infinite totality—meaning humans can never fully grasp His immensity and mystery—He has also made Himself knowable. This knowability comes through various forms of revelation:
- General Revelation: God reveals Himself through the natural world, His creation, and the human conscience, allowing all people to perceive His power and divinity.
- Special Revelation: For many theologians, especially within Abrahamic traditions, God has distinctively revealed Himself through specific historical events, prophetic utterances, and most profoundly through His Word, often referring to sacred texts like the Bible. This allows for a deeper, more personal understanding of His character, will, and plan for humanity.
This dual understanding highlights that while God transcends human understanding, He desires to be known and has provided the means for humanity to enter into a relationship with Him.
| Aspect of God | Theological Description |
|---|---|
| Transcendence | Exists beyond and independent of the created universe. |
| Immanence | Is actively present and involved within the created universe. |
| Sovereignty | Exercises supreme authority and control over all things. |
| Self-Existence | Has His source of being within Himself; not dependent on anything else. |
| Relational Nature | Capable of personal relationship with humanity, often understood as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in Christian theology. |
God, therefore, is seen as the absolute and perfect being, the ultimate reality from whom all else derives its existence, and who is both infinitely beyond and intimately present with His creation.
