1. Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem
Chapter 12
Communicable Attributes of God
Part 2
Truth Bible Church
Sunday School
31 July 2011

2. Communicable Attributes
How is God like us in His being, and in mental and moral attributes?
I would phrase this differently: How are we like God or What are some of the attributes of God that He determine to communicate to us?
The division between the categories of “incommunicable” and “communicable” is not necessarily rigid or absolute
This is a man made distinction that helps us study God and His attributes
Systematic Theology is a tool to help us

3. Communicable Attributes
In studying the attributes of God it is gaining an understanding of His wholly integrated nature that is most important; not the division of these attributes into categories
This study intends to find the most effective way to present the biblical material in order to study and know God
Five major categories are presented along with the individual attributes that make up each category

4. Five Major Categories Attributes Describing God’s Being
Mental Attributes
Moral Attributes
Attributes of Purpose
“Summary” Attributes

5. Attributes Describing God’s Being
Spirituality
Invisibility

6. Mental Attributes Knowledge (or omniscience) Wisdom
Truthfulness (and faithfulness)

7. Knowledge Knowledge or Omniscience
Omni: All; Science: Knowledge
Def: God fully knows Himself and all things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act
Let’s break down this definition and look at what the Scriptures say on this subject

8. Knowledge
“God fully knows Himself. This is an amazing fact since God’s own being is infinite or unlimited.” - p 190
Read 1 Corinthians 2:10-11
start at verse 1 and read to verse 13 for context

9. Knowledge
5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God. 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written, “THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM.” 10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God,
- 1 Corinthians 2:5-12

10. Knowledge “all things actual”
God has knowledge of everything that exists in reality, every thing and every action within creation
13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

11. Knowledge
16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, the wonders of one perfect in knowledge, - Job 37:16, Elihu to Job
20 in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

12. Knowledge “and possible”
9 Remember the former things long past, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, “My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure”; - Isa 46:9-10
God knows what would happen if…
Two examples: 1 Sam 23:11-13 & Matt 11:21

13. Knowledge
Psalm 139:1-4, 16
1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me. 2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all.
16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them.

14. Knowledge “one simple and eternal act.”
God knows instantly and does not need to break down any mental task into smaller parts
“He always knows all things at once…He never learns and never forgets anything” - p 191
“This means that God’s knowledge never changes or grows…Thus, from all eternity God has known all things that would happened and all things that He would do.” - pp

15. Knowledge A few objections or proposed fallacies
God promises to forget our sin…
Isa 43:25
Good hermeneutics
God did not imagine certain things
Jer 7:31, 19:5, 31:35
Panoply, Lev 18:21
If God knows everything that will happen then there is no free will

16. Wisdom
Remember: true Biblical knowledge is the acquisition of truth and wisdom is the application of knowledge
Def: “God’s wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals.”

17. Wisdom
Romans 16:25-27
25 Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, leading to obedience of faith; 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen.

18. Wisdom
Job 9:1-4, 12:11-13
1 Then Job answered, 2 “In truth I know that this is so; but how can a man be in the right before God? 3 If one wished to dispute with Him, he could not answer Him once in a thousand times. 4 Wise in heart and mighty in strength, who has defied Him without harm?”
11 “Does not the ear test words, as the palate tastes its food? 12 ìWisdom is with aged men, With long life is understanding. 13 With Him are wisdom and might; To Him belong counsel and understanding.

19. Wisdom
Psalm 104:24
24 O LORD, how many are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your possessions.
Everything was made by God to bring Him glory and as we study creation we have the unique opportunity to witness the depth of God’s wisdom and creativity; despite the sin curse that is upon it!

20. Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, “I WILL DESTROY THE WISDOM OF THE WISE, AND THE CLEVERNESS OF THE CLEVER I WILL SET ASIDE.”20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For indeed Jews ask for signs and Greeks search for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews a stumbling block and to Gentiles foolishness, 24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

21. Wisdom
1 Corinthians 1:26-31
26 For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27 but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, 28 and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”

22. Wisdom
In 1 Corinthians we read of God’s wisdom in his plan of redemption, that this plan is foolishness to the world’s “wisdom”, which demonstrates all the more the profound nature of His wisdom
When we meditate on, consider, and share the Gospel we should be struck by how “simple” it really is, yet it is eternal life! Grudem states it this way:
“its depths of wisdom surpasses anything man could ever have imagined.” - p 193

23. Wisdom
The Apostle Paul is also struck by the truly awesome nature of God’s wisdom, after reflecting upon it for 11 chapters he writes in Romans 11:33:
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!

24. Wisdom
Part of God’s wisdom is His plan to bring humanity together in unity, not in the prideful way that was done at the tower of Babel, rather in a humble unity within the body of Christ, in His Church
This is true wisdom with unity in diversity, which is what the word “university” means
Ephesians chapter 3 explains this fact

25. Wisdom
Ephesians 3:6, 9-10
6 to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel,
9 and to bring to light what is the administration* of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; 10 so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.
* This word can also be translated “dispensation”

26. Wisdom
Grudem makes a powerful statement on p 194 that if taken too far and steal God’s honor:
“If the Christian church is faithful to God’s wise plan, it will be always in the forefront in breaking down racial and social barriers in societies around the world, and will thus be a visible manifestation of God’s amazingly wise plan to bring great unity out of great diversity and thereby to cause all creation to honor him.”

27. Wisdom God’s wisdom is available to us individually:
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose Romans 8:28
This is why His wisdom is in part communicable to us:
5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. - James 1:5

28. Wisdom Of great importance is the application in our own lives
“This wisdom, or skill in living a life pleasing to God, comes primarily from reading and obeying his Word:”
The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. - Ps 19:7b
So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom… Deut 4:6a
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, - 2 Peter 1:5 (-10)

29. Wisdom
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” - Psalm 111:10, Prov 9:10, 1:7
“the possession of wisdom from God will result not in pride but in humility (Prov 11:2, James 3:13), not in arrogance but in a gentle and peaceful spirit (James 3:14-18).” - p 194
2 When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom…17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

30. Wisdom
“In practical terms, this means that there will frequently be times in this life when we will not be able to understand why God allowed something to happen.” - p 194
Recall Romans 8:28 and 11:33
1 Peter 4:19
19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

31. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Def: “Gods truthfulness means that He is the true God, and that all His knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth.”
Veracity is another good word to use
Devotion to truth, power of conveying or perceiving truth
“God revealed in Scripture is the true or real God and that all other so-called gods are idols.” - p 195

32. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Jeremiah 10:10-11
10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. 11 Thus you shall say to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”

33. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
In John 17:3, Jesus said:
3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Similarly 1 John 17:20 says,
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

34. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
The middle of page 195 gives a great definition of what is called “Presuppositional Apologetics” as it presupposes that God is true and His Word is Truth
“We cannot define what the true God must be like! So we must say that it is God himself who has the only perfect idea of what the true God should be like… In addition, he has implanted in our minds a reflection of his own idea of what the true God must be, and this enables us to recognize him as God.”
Therefore use Scripture to prove God exists and the reality of the Gospel!

35. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
The definition of God’s truthfulness also affirms all of God’s knowledge is true and the final standard of truth
Job 37:16
16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, the wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
“we can say that the standard of true knowledge is conformity to God’s knowledge
This highlights the significance of being able to back up everything we teach with The Word of God!

36. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
The definition given also affirms God’s words, they are true and the final standard of truth
This means that God is reliable and faithful in his words
Psalm 12:6a “The words of the LORD are pure words;”
Prov 30:5 “Every word of God is tested;”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

37. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Also, Jesus IS TRUTH, John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Notice too this conversation between Jesus and Pilate as recorded in John 18:37-38
37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”

38. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Grudem combines truthfulness and faithfulness some view God’s faithfulness as a separate attribute
Def: God’s faithfulness means that God will always do what he has said and fulfill what he has promised
4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. - Deut 32:4
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num 23:19

39. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
“In fact, as we begin to think true thoughts about God and creation, thoughts that we learn from Scripture and from allowing Scripture to guide us in our observation and interpretation of the natural world, we begin to think God’s own thoughts after him!” p 196
Psalm 139:17
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

40. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Def: “Gods truthfulness means that He is the true God, and that all His knowledge and words are both true and the final standard of truth.”
Veracity is another good word to use
Devotion to truth, power of conveying or perceiving truth
“God revealed in Scripture is the true or real God and that all other so-called gods are idols.” - p 195

41. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Jeremiah 10:10-11
10 But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation. 11 Thus you shall say to them, “The gods that did not make the heavens and the earth will perish from the earth and from under the heavens.”

42. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
In John 17:3, Jesus said:
3 This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
Similarly 1 John 5:20 says,
20 And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

43. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
The middle of page 195 gives a great definition of what is called “Presuppositional Apologetics” as it presupposes that God is true and His Word is Truth
“We cannot define what the true God must be like! So we must say that it is God himself who has the only perfect idea of what the true God should be like… In addition, he has implanted in our minds a reflection of his own idea of what the true God must be, and this enables us to recognize him as God.”
Therefore use Scripture to prove God exists and the reality of the Gospel!

44. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
The definition of God’s truthfulness also affirms all of God’s knowledge is true and the final standard of truth
Job 37:16
16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, the wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
“we can say that the standard of true knowledge is conformity to God’s knowledge
This highlights the significance of being able to back up everything we teach with The Word of God!

45. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
The definition given also affirms God’s words, they are true and the final standard of truth
This means that God is reliable and faithful in his words
Psalm 12:6a “The words of the LORD are pure words;”
Prov 30:5 “Every word of God is tested;”
John 17:17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.”

46. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Also, Jesus IS TRUTH, John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Notice too this conversation between Jesus and Pilate as recorded in John 18:37-38
37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38 Pilate *said to Him, “What is truth?”

47. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
Grudem combines truthfulness and faithfulness some view God’s faithfulness as a separate attribute
Def: God’s faithfulness means that God will always do what he has said and fulfill what he has promised
4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, for all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, righteous and upright is He. - Deut 32:4
19 “God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent; has He said, and will He not do it? or has He spoken, and will He not make it good? Num 23:19

48. Truthfulness (and Faithfulness)
“In fact, as we begin to think true thoughts about God and creation, thoughts that we learn from Scripture and from allowing Scripture to guide us in our observation and interpretation of the natural world, we begin to think God’s own thoughts after him!” p 196
Psalm 139:17
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

49. Ch 12 Part 3, Moral Attributes
For Next Week:
Ch 12 Part 3, Moral Attributes

50. Moral Attributes Goodness Love Mercy Holiness Peace Righteousness
Jealousy
Wrath

51. The Character of God: “Communicable” Attributes (Part 2)
Chapter 13
The Character of God:
“Communicable” Attributes
(Part 2)

52. Attributes of Purpose
Will
Freedom
Omnipotence

53. “Summary” Attributes
Perfection
Blessedness
Beauty
Glory