1. Review
Tackling Biblical Linguistics and concerns with the 1689 London Confession of Faith

2. A mistake to correct:

3. Anthromorphisms

4. Anthropomorphisms

5. My Bad!!!

6. Understanding the Bible: 1. What God says. 2. What God means.

7. All human languages have idioms.

8. Idiom A mode of expression peculiar to a language; peculiarity of expression or phraseology. In this sense, it is used in the plural to denote forms of speech or phraseology, peculiar to a nation or language.

9. Idiom (Example #1)

10. Idiom (Example #1) If we are inside a building and I tell you “it is raining cats and dogs!” You understand that it is raining really hard; not that there are literally cats and dogs falling out of the sky.

11. Idiom (Example #2)

12. Idiom (Example #2) We often say, “Lets get up and watch the sunrise”; or “Lets go out and watch the sunset”. This does not mean that we actually believe that the sun is moving around the earth.

13. Metaphor A short similitude; a similitude reduced to a single word; or a word expressing similitude without the signs of comparison. Thus “that man is a fox,” is a metaphor; but “that man is like a fox,” is a similitude or comparison. So when I say, “the soldiers were lions in

14. combat,” I use a metaphor; but when I say, “the soldiers fought like lions,” I use a similitude. In metaphor, the similitude is contained in the name; a man is a fox, means, a man is as crafty as a fox. So we say, a man bridles his anger, that is, restrains it as a bridle restrains a horse. Beauty

15. awakens love or tender passions; opposition fires courage.
*Note: Since multiple examples appear in the definition that I gave you, I will not give one.

16. Anthropomorphism Belonging to that which has the form of man; having the figure of resemblance to a man.

17. Anthropomorphism
(Bro. Kenneth’s explanation of the meaning and purpose of “anthropomorphism” )

18. Taking human attributes and ascribing them to God.
Anthropomorphism
Taking human attributes and ascribing them to God.
(Bro. Kenneth’s explanation of the meaning and purpose of “anthropomorphism” )

19. Taking human attributes and ascribing them to God.
Anthropomorphism
Taking human attributes and ascribing them to God.
This is done so that we may have a way to understand God more comprehensively.
(Bro. Kenneth’s explanation of the meaning and purpose of “anthropomorphism” )

20. God has lips and a tongue.
Anthropomorphism (Example #1)
God has lips and a tongue.
Behold, the name of the Lord comes from a remote place; Burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation And His tongue is like a consuming fire;
Isaiah 30:27

21. God does not really have lips or a tongue
Anthropomorphism (Example #1)
God has lips and a tongue.
Behold, the name of the Lord comes from a remote place; Burning is His anger and dense is His smoke; His lips are filled with indignation And His tongue is like a consuming fire;
Isaiah 30:27
God does not really have lips or a tongue

22. God has fingers and hands.
Anthropomorphism (Example #2)
God has fingers and hands.
3 When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained; 4 What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? 5 Yet You have made him a

23. little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty
little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet...
Psalm 8:3-6

24. God does not really have fingers and hands
little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty! 6 You make him to rule over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet...
Psalm 8:3-6
God does not really have fingers and hands

25. A closely related Metaphor (Example)
God has feathers.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4 (KJV)

26. A closely related Metaphor (Example)
God has feathers.
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4 (KJV)
God does not really have feathers nor wings

27. So, what is God?

28. So, what is God? We know the attributes of His character

29. We know the attributes of His character
So, what is God?
We know the attributes of His character
(ex. God is faithful, good, gracious, merciful, wrathful… etc.)

30. What, though, are the attributes of His essence of being?
So, what is God?
We know the attributes of His character
(ex. God is faithful, good, gracious, merciful, wrathful… etc.)
What, though, are the attributes of His essence of being?

31. Any discussion of the essence, or being, of God must begin with John 4:24:

32. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24

33. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24

34. Jesus stated:

35. Jesus stated:
“God is spirit”

36. This is the essence of God’s Being
Jesus stated:
“God is spirit”
This is the essence of God’s Being

37. Two Important Principles:

38. #1: Scripture must interpret Scripture.

39. When a Scripture is unclear, we search for other Scriptures that speak to the same point and understand truth in light of “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, KJV).

40. Scripture must interpret Scripture!
When a Scripture is unclear, we search for other Scriptures that speak to the same point and understand truth in light of “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27, KJV).
Scripture must interpret Scripture!

41. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is the Scripture itself; and therefore when there is a question about the true and full sense of any Scripture (which are not many, but one), it must be searched by other places that speak more clearly.
1689 London Confession, Chapter 1, Paragraph 9.

42. #2: Scripture does not contradict Scripture.

43. An Example:

44. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14

45. Does Christ really mean that we can ask for anything that we want in His name and He will give it to us?

46. Does Christ really mean that we can ask for anything that we want in His name and He will give it to us? No!!!

47. 14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
1 John 5:14-15

48. John 14:13-14 must be understood in reference to 1 John 5:14-15
John 14:13-14 must be understood in reference to 1 John 5: We can ask God for a new car in Jesus’ name all we want; this does not mean that God will or even is obligated to give us a new car.

49. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
John 14:13-14

50. We ask for “anything” in Jesus’ name for the sole purpose that “the Father may be glorified in the Son” (Jn. 14:13).

51. Why is it important to know and understand about the Bible’s use of anthropomorphisms?

52. A Case Study:

53. A Case Study: God’s Omniscience

54. The Scriptures teach that God is omniscience
(perfect in knowledge or all-knowing)

55. “Can anyone teach God knowledge, in that He judges those on high?
Job 21:22
The obvious answer to Job’s rhetorical question is “No,” because God cannot be taught.

56. Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?
Job 37:16 (KJV)
God is called the one who is “perfect in knowledge.”

57. 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’;
Isaiah 46:9-10

58. Isaiah 46:9-10 states that God is the One who declares “the end from the beginning” and also has knowledge “from ancient times” to “things which have not been done.”

59. Isaiah 46:9-10 states that God is the One who declares “the end from the beginning” and also has knowledge “from ancient times” to “things which have not been done.” This is a statement of complete knowledge.

60. There are many passages that speak of God’s perfect knowledge (omniscience). In addition to the ones you have just seen, God also knows our every thought (Ps. 139:2-4) and knows the heart of every person (1 Sam. 16:7; Heb. 4:13).

61. In Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to go and offer his son Isaac as a burn offering.

62. In Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to go and offer his son Isaac as a burn offering.
Abraham obeyed

63. In Genesis 22, God commanded Abraham to go and offer his son Isaac as a burn offering.
Abraham obeyed
Genesis 22:10 states that “Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”

64. At that moment, God stopped him and told Abraham:

65. At that moment, God stopped him and told Abraham:
“Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”
Genesis 22:12

66. The Question:

67. How could God, who is omniscience, state for now I know?
The Question:
How could God, who is omniscience, state for now I know?

68. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12

69. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
The Scriptures teach clearly that God is Omniscience (He knows everything)

70. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
The Scriptures teach clearly that God is Omniscience (He knows everything)
Logically, since God is eternal and pure actuality, He cannot change.

71. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
The Scriptures teach clearly that God is Omniscience (He knows everything)
Logically, since God is eternal and pure actuality, He cannot change.
Therefore, Genesis 22:12 is speaking anthropomorphically.

72. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
God did not learn (in Genesis 22) that Abraham would be willing to actually sacrifice Isaac; God already knew that.

73. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
God did not learn (in Genesis 22) that Abraham would be willing to actually sacrifice Isaac; God already knew that.
However, Abraham learned that He would be willing to do whatever God asked of him.

74. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
God tested Abraham (Gen. 22:1)

75. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
God tested Abraham (Gen. 22:1)
The test was for Abraham; not God

76. Reconciling God’s Omniscience with Genesis 22:12
God tested Abraham (Gen. 22:1)
The test was for Abraham; not God
Genesis 22:12 is an anthropomorphic statement

77. Back to God’s Essence:

78. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
John 4:24

79. John 4:24 is the verse in which all the other verses speaking of God’s essence must be understood.

80. John 4:24 is the verse in which all the other verses speaking of God’s essence must be understood.
Why?

81. Why is John 4:24 the key verse?
John 4:24 is the verse in which all the other verses speaking of God’s essence must be understood.
Why?
Why is John 4:24 the key verse?

82. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism

83. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Because it is understood that Jesus is not speaking anthropomorphically, then John 4:24 can serve as an absolute standard.

84. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Because it is understood that Jesus is not speaking anthropomorphically, then John 4:24 can serve as an absolute standard.
Therefore, all the other passages referring to God’s essence must be understood in light of John 4:24.

85. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism

86. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself

87. John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself
*Note: While true, this is not to say that some parts of Scripture are “less inspired” than others.

88. John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself
Jesus Christ would be the ultimate authority on the question of God’s Being.
*Note: While true, this is not to say that some parts of Scripture are “less inspired” than others.

89. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself

90. John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
Why John 4:24?
John 4:24 is clearly NOT an anthropomorphism
John 4:24 is a statement made by Jesus Christ Himself
In John 4:24, Jesus is speaking of the essence of God (this is the point of John 4:24)

91. Why John 4:24?
In John 4:24, Jesus is speaking of the essence of God (this is the point of John 4:24)
In speaking to the Samaritan woman about right worship (the context of the passage), Jesus was speaking literally of God’s essence.

92. Conclusion:

93. All Scriptures speaking of God’s Being must be understood in light of John 4:24.

94. All Scriptures speaking of God’s Being must be understood in light of John 4:24. Meaning: God is Spirit, and all understanding of God’s Being must be understood in light of the truth that God is Spirit.

95. Because God is Spirit:

96. Because God is Spirit:
He is not made up of physical matter.

97. Because God is Spirit:
He is not made up of physical matter.
He does not have body parts.

98. He is not made up of physical matter. He does not have body parts.
Because God is Spirit:
He is not made up of physical matter.
He does not have body parts.
***Therefore, because Scripture does not contradict itself, all passages referring to God having body parts must be understood as anthropomorphisms.

99. “It is impossible that matter should exist in God
“It is impossible that matter should exist in God. First, because matter is in potentiality. But we have shown (Q[2], A[3]) that God is pure act, without any potentiality. Hence it is impossible that God should be composed of matter and form.”
Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica

100. One Final Example:

101. Does God change His mind?
One Final Example:
Does God change His mind?

102. One may say “Yes”:
Samuel did not see Saul again until the day of his death; for Samuel grieved over Saul. And the Lord regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.
1 Samuel 15:35

103. A Better Translation:
And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the Lord repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.
1 Samuel 15:35 KJV

104. An Issue Emerges:

105. An Issue Emerges:
The Scriptures teach that one of the attributes of God’s character is that He does not change His mind

106. Also the Glory of Israel will not lie or change His mind; for He is not a man that He should change His mind.”
1 Samuel 15:29

107. “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?
Numbers 23:19

108. God’s actions are the result of His essence of Being (in other words, His actions flow from who He is).

109. God’s actions are the result of His essence of Being (in other words, His actions flow from who He is). Ex. God is perfect, so what He does is perfect

110. Ex. God is perfect, so what He does is perfect
God’s actions are the result of His essence of Being (in other words, His actions flow from who He is).
Ex. God is perfect, so what He does is perfect
His actions are perfect because His being is perfect

111. God’s Being: He does not change

112. God’s Being: He does not change God is immutable

113. For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Malachi 3:6

114. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Hebrews 13:8

115. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
James 1:17

116. Therefore, God does not change His mind, because His Being is one that does not change (immutable)

117. Therefore, God does not change His mind, because His Being is one that does not change (immutable) His actions are immutable because His Being is immutable

118. Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17 are passages that teach truths about God’s essence and character.

119. Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17 are passages that teach truths about God’s essence and character.
These passages are not anthropomorphic; they are statements of truth

120. Therefore, 1 Samuel 15:35, and other passages like it, must be understood in light of the teachings of God’s character and essence stated in Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17.

121. Therefore, 1 Samuel 15:35, and other passages like it, must be understood in light of the teachings of God’s character and essence stated in Numbers 23:19, 1 Samuel 15:29, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, and James 1:17.
Meaning: 1 Samuel 15:35 is speaking anthropomorphically

122. 1689 London Confession

123. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God;1 whose subsistence is in and of Himself,2 infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself;3 a most pure spirit,4 invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath

124. immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto;5 who is immutable,6 immense,7 eternal,8 incomprehensible, almighty,9 every way infinite, most holy,10 most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and

125. most righteous will,11 for His own glory;12 most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him,13 and withal most just and terrible in His judgments,14 hating all sin,15 and who will by no

126. means clear the guilty.16

127. 1689 London Confession Concerns Raised
(Concerns are in bold)

128. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God;1 whose subsistence is in and of Himself,2 infinite in being and perfection; whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself;3 a most pure spirit,4 invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath

129. immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto;5 who is immutable,6 immense,7 eternal,8 incomprehensible, almighty,9 every way infinite, most holy,10 most wise, most free, most absolute; working all things according to the counsel of His own immutable and

130. most righteous will,11 for His own glory;12 most loving, gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek Him,13 and withal most just and terrible in His judgments,14 hating all sin,15 and who will by

131. no means clear the guilty.16

132. The Lord our God is but one only living and true God…

133. We affirm that there is ONE “living and true God” (Deut. 6:4; Jer
We affirm that there is ONE “living and true God” (Deut. 6:4; Jer. 10:10; Heb. 12:22), of which, there are three persons: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therefore, the statement “The Lord our God is but one only living and true God…” is an exact statement of our doctrine.

134. …whose essence cannot be comprehended by any but Himself

135. In speaking of God’s essence, all we can say with absolute certainty is that God is spirit (Jn. 4:24). That is all we know about God’s essence. The Bible does not give us a thorough teaching of God’s essence.

136. …a most pure spirit,4 invisible, without body, parts, or passions,

137. God is invisible

138. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Timothy 1:17

139. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
Colossians 1:15

140. By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing Him who is unseen.
Hebrews 11:27 (NASB)

141. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
Hebrews 11:27 (KJV)

142. God is …without .… passions

143. Passions and emotions are NOT synonymous
A passion is “The impression or effect of an external agent upon a body.”
God moves of His own free will; He is not moved because He is impressed upon or effected
God does not have passions

144. …dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto

145. 15b …He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
1 Timothy 6:15b-16

146. …and who will by no means clear the guilty.

147. 6 And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, 7 Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting

148. the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
Exodus 34:6-7 (KJV)

149. Note: Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture came from the NASB
*Note: Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture came from the NASB. *Note: Unless otherwise noted, all definitions were taken from the 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language by Noah Webster.