The Attributes of God

 Main Idea

The lecture discusses the attributes of God, explaining that they are divided into two types: attributes shared with humans in a limited way, and attributes unique to God alone that no creature shares.

 Shared Attributes Between God and Humans

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that there are attributes such as love, mercy, justice, and knowledge that can exist in humans, but in God they are unlimited and perfect, while in humans they are ناقصة ومحدودة.
He gives the example of knowledge, where human knowledge depends on means and progression, and is partial and incomplete, while God’s knowledge is complete, immediate, without means, and includes everything visible and hidden.

 Essential Differences in Shared Attributes

• God’s knowledge is absolute and complete, while human knowledge is limited.
• God knows without means, while humans need tools.
• God’s knowledge is fully certain, while human knowledge is relative.
• God knows hidden things and intentions, while humans know only what is visible.

 Unity of God’s Attributes

He confirms that God’s attributes are not separate or in conflict, but integrated and harmonious. There is no contradiction between God’s justice and His mercy; rather, His mercy is just and His justice is merciful.

 Attributes Unique to God Alone

He speaks about attributes that no one shares with Him, such as:

• Eternity (no beginning).
• Everlasting (no end).
• Necessary existence (His existence is essential and the cause of all beings).
• Immutability (He does not change).
• Creator (creates from nothing).
• Unlimited (in power, knowledge, time, and place).

 God Above Time and Place

God is not subject to time; there is no past, present, or future for Him, but He sees everything at once. He is also not limited by place because He is the Creator of place.

 Divine Holiness

God is holy by nature and cannot sin, while humans may struggle with sin or fall into it. God’s holiness is absolute perfection.

 Spiritual Dimension

The lecture teaches us to realize the greatness and perfection of God, to humble ourselves before Him, and to strive to imitate His shared attributes like love and mercy, while recognizing our human weakness and need for God’s grace.

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