Systematic Theology
This session was taught at the Christ Church Manchester School of Theology on Saturday 21st March 2020. The CCM School of Theology was set up to serve local churches in Manchester and beyond.
Topic: The Character of God
In this session, we look at the Character of God.
Speaker: Tom O’Toole
Tom is part of the team at Christ Church Manchester and leads the CCM City Centre site. He also manages the Broadcast Network, training church planters.
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NOTES
The Character of God
God’s Character
“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us… The history of mankind will probably show that no people has ever risen above its religion, and man’s spiritual
history will positively demonstrate that no religion has ever been greater than its idea of God. Worship is pure or base as the worshiper entertains high or low thoughts of God.” (A.W. Tozer)
• Comparisons/metaphors
• Names/titles
• Attributes
Comparisons/Metaphors
• Lion (Isa 31:4), Eagle (Deut 32:11), Lamb (Isa 53:7), Hen (Matt 23:37), The Sun (Ps 84:11), Morning Star (Rev 22:16), Light (Ps 27:1), Torch (Rev 21:23), Fire (Heb 12:29), Fountain (Ps 36:9), Rock (Deut 32:4), Hiding Place (Ps 119:114), Tower (Prov 18:10), Shadow (Ps 91:1), Shield (Ps 84:11), Temple (Rev 21:22), etc
• Bridegroom (Isa 61:10), Husband (Isa 54:5), Father (Deut 32:6), Judge and King (Isa 33:22), Man of War (Ex 15:3), Builder and Maker (Heb 11:10), Shepherd (Ps 23:1), Physician (Ex 15:26), etc
Names
• Yahweh (Exodus 3:13-14)
• Yahweh-Will-Provide (Genesis 22:13-14)
• Yahweh-Your-Healer (Exodus 15:26)
• Yahweh-My-Banner (Exodus 17:15-16)
• Yahweh-Who-Sanctifies-You (Leviticus 20:7-8)
• Yahweh-Is-Peace (Judges 6:22-24)
• Yahweh-My-Shepherd (Psalm 23:1-3)
• Yahweh-Our-Righteousness (Jeremiah 23:5-6)
• Yahweh-Is-There (Ezekiel 48:35)
• The Most High (Daniel 4:34-35)
• Yahweh of Hosts (Isaiah 37:16)
• The Rock That Is Higher Than I (Psalm 61:1-3)
• The God of Israel (Joshua 24:2)
The Attributes of God
| Attribute | Where in the Bible? | To what extent can you see it in your life? |
| Independence | ||
| Unchangeableness | ||
| Eternity | ||
| Omnipresence | ||
| Unity | ||
| Spirituality | ||
| Invisibility | ||
| Omniscience | ||
| Wisdom | ||
| Truthfulness | ||
| Goodness | ||
| Love | ||
| Mercy, Grace, Patience | ||
| Holiness | ||
| Order | ||
| Righteousness | ||
| Jealousy | ||
| Wrath | ||
| Will | ||
| Freedom | ||
| Omnipotence | ||
| Perfection | ||
| Blessedness | ||
| Beauty | ||
| Glory |
Three Questions About What God Is Like
a) Knowability
b) Consistency – OT & NT
c) Unchangeableness
Being In God’s Image
Further Resources
• ‘Knowing God’ by J.I. Packer
• ‘The Attributes of God’ by A.W. Tozer
• ‘Incomparable’ by Andrew Wilson
• ‘Systematic Theology’ (Chapters 10-13) by Wayne Grudem
MORE THEOLOGY TRAINING
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