As humans we can think about God and wonder what He is like, something other living creatures cannot and do not do. Possessing the ability to articulate our thoughts, we can even speak about God. In the end, however, the most important outcome is to know God — to know Him personally, intimately, reverently, hungrily and increasingly. Thus we open the new year with the theme “Knowing God.”
The challenge that we know God takes us to the very root meaning of the term “theology.” Theology most properly and literally means “the study of God.” “Theos” is the Greek word for “God.” “Logos” is the Greek term for “word” or “speaking.” How then are we to understand God and speak about Him? When thinking about God, what are we to think? Theology 101 begins the new year with studies about God Himself, the God who knows us and desires us to know Him. Our goal is to know God as He is and as He wants to be known.
God’s revealed characteristics
These studies will challenge us to think afresh about God’s nature or the essence of His being. Our theme will also call us to think about His revealed characteristics or attributes. In light of God’s essential nature and manifest attributes, we will be compelled to consider some of His divine actions. So we will group our venture into “theology” in three broad categories — the essence of God (His nature); His distinctive characteristics (His attributes); and His notable actions in which His nature and attributes have been, and can be, discerned.
As to God’s nature, He has revealed Himself as eternal. He is without beginning of days or ending of existence. What can we say when a child asks, “Where did God come from?” The most we can say is that He has always been. Those who delve deeply into the theology of God’s existence usually express His eternality by saying that He is self-existent. Something of this truth was captured in the answer given Moses when he wanted to know how to introduce God to the nation that was about to follow him out of bondage. Moses was told to say that “I am that I am” had spoken to him (Ex. 3:13–14). The very idea of God as having always existed challenges our finite minds. That which challenges our intellect is best received by faith. Such is the message of Hebrews 11:6: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is.”
What can we think about in a practical sense when we ponder God’s eternal nature? Some years ago while waiting in a medical consulting room, I was reminded I was in a Christian environment when I saw these words on a poster over the name of the late Helen Mallicoat. God’s eternal nature makes the poster’s words meaningful for people in all places throughout all time:
I was regretting the past and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking: “My name is I AM.”
He paused. I waited. He continued:
“When you live in the past with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard.
I am not there. My name is not I WAS.
When you live in the future with its problems and flaws, it is hard.
I am not there. My name is not I WILL BE.
When you live in this moment, it is not hard.
I am here. My name is I AM.”
Share with others: