Attributes of God – Old Testament, Part 2
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains the absolute attributes of God: that God is spirit, a necessary being, eternal and everlasting, Creator, unlimited, able to do all things, present everywhere, knowing all the hidden things of hearts, unchanging and simple not composite and perfect without deficiency.
Spiritual and educational dimension:
The lecture emphasizes that the knowledge of God differs essentially from human knowledge — God’s knowledge is intrinsic and complete and includes past, present and future at once, while human knowledge is limited and proceeds gradually and by means. This teaches us to rely on God’s authority and to be reassured in His unchanging wisdom, justice and mercy.
Divine presence and moral responsibility:
The emphasis that God is present everywhere even in the dwellings of the wicked (not glorified there) shows that people have responsibility because God watches, records and observes hearts. This urges spiritual awareness, repentance and upright conduct.
Incarnation and miracles as proof of the deity:
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III clarifies that the Lord’s appearance or incarnation does not mean a spatial limitation of the divine person, and that Christ’s miracles (turning water into wine, feeding the multitudes, healing the blind…) are used as proof of His deity because they create new material reality indicating creation that is not human.
Divine immutability versus human change:
God does not change in His essence or purposes or attributes; what appears as change in God’s dealings with nations reflected the change of the nations’ condition (punishment for sin and mercy for repentance) and not a deficiency or alteration in the divine person.
Practical conclusion:
The believer must feel God’s enduring presence, live under His love and justice, and respond with repentance and trust because the perfect God knows our hidden things and works for good according to His eternal wisdom.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
