that I should obey Him? - Future Israel Ministries

INTRODUCTION 11
a. Analytically and synthetically, that is by a study of separate aspects of the essential
nature of God, as are commonly defined. These are aspects which God Himself
has revealed; they are not of human derivation. At the same time, it is important
that God’s attributes be studied synthetically, that is as a related whole or as part
of one indivisible God. While aspects of God’s nature are to be considered
distinctively because the Bible does so, yet individual attributes must also be
understood in relation to other aspects of God’s being. This is extremely
important since failure at this point has led to heresy. For example:
(1) God must be known as both immanent (close), and transcendent (beyond).
Overemphasis on immanence leads to pantheism as reflected in eastern
mysticism and Christian Science (God is all and all is God, including nature).
Overemphasis on transcendence leads to Gnosticism (God is beyond the
material), and deism (God has wound up the universe like a clock and
departed).
(2) Some have posited the “clever” question, “Could God make a rock so heavy
that He could not carry it?” Of course the emphatic answer must be “No!”
However this foolish question attempts to pit one aspect of God’s being, His
omnipotence, against another, His infinity. Rather such a challenge to God’s
power must not be considered alone; He is not only omnipotent and infinite,
but also wise. Hence He does not consider enacting foolish propositions
proposed by finite man that engage infinity.
b. Anthropomorphically, that is as portrayed by various physical parts of the human
body. These include:
(1) God’s face, denoting His sight and presence, being both loving (Ps. 27:8),
and wrathful (Ps. 34:16).
(2) God’s eyes, denoting His omniscience, His seeing of all good and evil (II
Chron. 16:9; Prov. 15:3; Amos. 9:8).
(3) God’s nose and nostrils, denoting both His acceptance of men and their
sacrifices (Gen. 8:20-21), and His anger and non-acceptance of them (Ps.
18:8; Is. 65:2-5).
(4) God’s ears, denoting His readiness to hear, answer and deliver concerning
the requests of His people (Ps. 34:15; Is. 59:1).
(5) God’s mouth, denoting His commands, promises and prophecies (Deut. 8:3;
Is. 1:20; Jer. 23:16).
(6) God’s arm and hands, denoting His power and its operation in creation,
providence and redemption (Ps. 89:13; 102:25; 104:2-28; 118:16; Is. 50:2).
c. Anthropopathically, that is as pictured by various emotional responses and
attitudes of the human being.