The Being, Names, and Attributes of God

Introduction

The notes that will follow each Wednesday are from a Bible study on The Being, Names, and Attributes of God. Some of you reading this have gone through some or all of these studies with us; for many, you will be embarking on this study separate from the original groups. Regardless, there is some information I’d like to pass along.

The notes were organized anticipating the dialogue that takes place among believers actively studying together. For those going through this study on your own (or with a different group), I believe the outline and notes will be discernible overall, but there may be some portions that will be more difficult to understand due to lacking the commentary that was provided when these studies originally took place.

As with any endeavor to seek a deeper understanding of God and His truth, the primary source used is the Holy Bible. [NOTE: The Scripture references throughout are representative, but far from exhaustive.] While any and all other sources are rightfully considered secondary, I am a firm believer in the promise of Christ to build His church. This began 2,000 years ago and He has gifted many to equip the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:7-16). Therefore, I am proud to say that in studying and teaching this topic, I am “standing on the shoulders of giants.”

The outline and flow of this study comes from my class notes for Dogmatics 213: Theology with Prof. David J. Engelsma at the Protestant Reformed Seminary. I gleaned from a multitude of resources, but those I used regularly throughout this study are as follows:

Herman Bavinck, The Doctrine of God ; Louis Berkhof, Systematic Theology; Stephen Charnock, The Existence and Attributes of God; Herman Hoeksema, Reformed Dogmatics; A.W. Pink, The Attributes of God; A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy; Francis Turretin, Institutes of Elenctic Theology (Vol. I); Thomas Watson, A Body of Divinity

To pursue and teach on such a grand and glorious topic is like climbing the highest mountain and reaching its peak. While exhilarating and breathtaking, there is the trepidation of losing my footing and finding myself in a heap at the bottom. If you notice anything in these notes that conveys inaccurate information about the One true God — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — please forgive me and inform me regarding the error of my ways.

Soli Deo Gloria, Mark Dewey