Undifferentiated concepts of God, like God as
nature, or God as the evolution of the universe, yield little meaning because
they are so vague they fail to grasp the distinctly differentiated aspects of
God’s personhood that offer concrete points of integration with human beings.
The Bible holds a unique place among world
religions because what it records about God and persons occurs over several
millennia, arising out of particular historical situations and concrete
interpersonal encounters. This creates a public account open to all peoples, a
common legacy to humankind. “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus says. “I
said nothing in secret” (Jn 18:20). The cohesiveness of Scripture comes from
the divine Subject who guides the biblical narrative, and the human subjects
who interact with God.
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| Bible |
Two singular concepts arise from the Bible that
reveal how this divine Subject, this God of the Bible, interfaces with people,
concepts that arise from the Old Testament and carry forward into the New.
The singular message of the Old Testament lies in the revelation of a personal transcendent Creator, a novel concept even in the world of ancient comparative religions.The singular message of the New Testament lies in the revelation that right thinking about God, or doctrine, combined with personal faith in God, leads to reconciliation and friendship with God, a thesis original to religions of that day.
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| Christianity |
Christianity puts together the Old and New
Testament into the synthesis of orthodox doctrine about the personal
transcendent Creator, asserting that God can be known and loved by
understanding his personality and attributes. This requires a rhythm of
integration and differentiation, so that people can perceive, name, and engage
the personal transcendent God.
Just how does God disclose and differentiate himself
from all the other claims to deity in world history? He simply says, “I AM” (Ex 3:14; Jn 8:58). God’s
essence, therefore, constitutes self-existent personality without beginning or
end.
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| "I AM" |
From this foundational premise, God continues to
reveal himself throughout Scripture with names that provide clarification. From
the Old Testament come the names God Almighty, for example, and Lord of Hosts,
Holy One of Israel, and Ancient of Days—surely meant to convey awe and wonder,
mystery and majesty. Not the average idol in the land of Canaan, or the average
tribal god. This is God the one and only, Maker of heaven and earth, a
transcendent-personal presence to be reckoned with.
In the New Testament comes increased
differentiation, this time toward personalizing God’s immanence, his holy and
loving presence in the world. Now God becomes entirely personal—so personal
that his name is Jesus. Human, yes, but also divine: one Person with two
distinct natures, co-existing without mixture or confusion, in one interpersonal
self: Jesus Christ, the Son of Man and Son of God. Here is differentiation, in
rhythm with integration.
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| Jesus Christ |
And through Jesus, God the Almighty becomes
differentiated as God the Father, Holy Father, Righteous Father…Our Father. And
whom do the Father and Son reveal but the differentiated Holy Spirit: the
Spirit of the Father, Spirit of Christ, and Spirit of the Lord.
And what is the sum total of God’s self-communication
in the Old and New Testament story?
One God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity.
For more, read:
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| Christian Personality Theory |
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