Old Testament: Attributes of God

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Questions and Answers

What is the common characteristic of God's human-like traits mentioned in the Old Testament?

They are only mentioned in the book of Genesis

They are deeply personal and distinguish God from humans

They are only mentioned in the book of Amos

They are superficial and fail to distinguish God from humans (correct)

What is implied by the self-determination of God?

The ability to hear and speak

The ability to create the universe

The power of thought and reflection as well as memory and volition (correct)

The power of thought and reflection only

What is the significance of God's-personal being in the Old Testament?

It is only mentioned in the book of Ezekiel

It is deeply personal and significant (correct)

It is superficial and inconclusive

It is only mentioned in the book of Exodus

What is the purpose of God's self-determination in the Old Testament?

To conceive purposes and work for their realization in the processes of history Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of God presented in the Old Testament?

God is Living Signup and view all the answers

What is the evidence of God's personal being in the Old Testament?

The many indications of the self-determination, the ethical freedom, and the affective characters of the divine life Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of God saying 'Let there be light!' in Genesis 1:3?

It requires a preconceived purpose which receives fulfillment in the very pronouncement of the words quoted Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of God's self-determination in the Old Testament?

It is seen in every document of the Old Testament Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the characteristics of God presented in the Old Testament?

Divine Attributes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of God mentioned in the Old Testament?

Wisdom Signup and view all the answers

What is the book that gave a graphic picture of how God loved his people despite their unfaithfulness?

Hosea Signup and view all the answers

According to Rowley, where did the thought of God as gracious and merciful originate?

The Exodus event Signup and view all the answers

How did God's love for Israel express itself?

Through his pity and mercy Signup and view all the answers

What is the foundation for man's well-being according to the teaching of the prophets?

Obedience to the will of God Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of Israel's failure to reflect God's character in her internal life?

God's wrath and justice towards them Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why God delivered his people on certain occasions?

Because of his love and mercy towards them Signup and view all the answers

What is the implication of God's indifference to Israel's well-being?

God is not a God of love Signup and view all the answers

What is the initial concept of holiness in the Old Testament?

A numinous quality attaching to God and separated things Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'The Holy One of Israel' emphasize?

God's power and separateness from humanity Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of Moses' call in the context of God's holiness?

It reveals God's moral quality and numinous quality Signup and view all the answers

What does the faithfulness of God imply in the Old Testament?

God is self-consistent and reliable Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of Israel's election according to Rowley?

Israel is charged with constraint and high privilege Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of God highlighted in the Old Testament?

God's faithfulness and holiness Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of holiness in the Old Testament emphasize?

God's moral quality and numinous quality Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Attributes of God

The attributes of God in the Old Testament include love, justice, holiness, and faithfulness.
God's love is presented as a fundamental character of God, demonstrated through His pity and care for Israel in Egypt.
The Book of Hosea provides a graphic picture of God's love, despite Israel's unfaithfulness.
God's love is also seen in the event of the Exodus, where He is described as gracious and merciful (Exodus 34:6).

Justice

God's justice is an attribute that is not always represented as saving, but rather as delivering or predicting woe for Israel when they do not reflect God's character.
God's moral character is expressed through the prophets, who teach that obedience to God's will is the foundation for man's well-being.
God is ascribed human-like traits, such as speaking, hearing, smelling, and having eyes and personal emotions.

Personal Character of God

The Old Testament presents God as having personal and manlike traits, allowing Him to communicate and relate to others.
God's self-determination implies that He has the power of thought, reflection, memory, and volition, and is able to conceive and work towards purposes in history.
The self-determination of God is seen in every document of the Old Testament, such as in Genesis 1:3, where God says "Let there be light!"

Living God

The Old Testament presents God as a Living God, who is not indifferent to Israel's well-being.
God's discipline and disasters are seen as expressions of His character and will, designed to bring Israel back into the way of God's will.

Holiness

Holiness in the Old Testament is initially thought of as a numinous quality attaching to God and persons/ things separated from common use.
The faith of Israel gives a moral content to the term, associated with the teaching of Isaiah, who calls God "The Holy One of Israel".
God's holiness has both a numinous quality (power and separateness from humanity) and a moral consideration (goodness and mercy).

Faithfulness

The Old Testament emphasizes God's faithfulness, implying that God is not arbitrary in character, but self-consistent and reliable.
God's faithfulness means that He does not resort to power to cover fickleness, but is to be trusted in all that He is and does.

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Description

Explore the characteristics of God presented in the Old Testament, including love, justice, holiness, and faithfulness. Discuss the significance of God's attributes in the faith of Israel.