God in Christianity

I do not believe there is one person on earth who can present us with a comprehensive description of God. The bible says:

"No man has seen God at any time." John 1:18

Since no one has seen God, how can we know Him or even describe Him? Undoubtedly, the scripture gives us some glimpses about God in action. The first thing we know about God is that he is eternal without beginning or end. It is very interesting to note that the Bible takes the pre-existence of God for granted. There is no attempt to prove His existence. Thus, the first verse in the Book of Genesis says:

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

After that, the story of creation is told. So, God is the cause of the creation. He established the universal system by which He controls the welfare of our cosmos. It is difficult for all those who believe in a creator, whether they are Jews, Christians or Muslims, to understand the existence of the universe apart from God. Being the Creator and the Eternal are not the only attributes of God. Muslims can easily recite the ninety-nine most beautiful names of God. These are attributes. The Qur’an includes many more attributes. Likewise, the Torah and the New Testament are full of God’s attributes and many of them are similar to the attributes recited by the Muslims. However, all these attributes do not tell us the entire story about God.

First, because God is not limited to what we know about him.
Secondly, because human vocabulary does not have the capacity to fully grasp the essence of God. If we are able to comprehend God as He really is, then we could be gods ourselves. The apostle Paul realized the impotence of the human mind to fully perceive God’s nature and the full impact of the spiritual world. Paul said: "Now I know in part, but then (in eternity) I shall know fully just as I also have been fully know." (I Corinthians 13:12) With the partial knowledge we possess about God, let us examine with a spirit of objectivity and open-mindedness the concept of God in Christianity.

WE BELIEVE IN ONE GOD AND THERE IS NO OTHER GOD BESIDE HIM.

Any Christian who claims otherwise is not a Christian. In both the Old and New Testaments, there is great emphasis on the ONENESS of God. The references are so numerous that we’re not able to quote them all in this presentation. Therefore, we will be content to cite two references from each Testament.

In the Old Testament:

"To you it was shown that you might know the Lord, He is God; there is no other God besides Him." (Deuteronomy 4:35)

"Hear, O Israel the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." (Deuteronomy 4:39)

In the New Testament:

"How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the glory that is from the One and Only God?" (John 5:44)

"And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." (John 17:3)

We therefore as Christians, believe in one God. If we do not, we are polytheists deviating from the true teaching of Jesus Christ But how do we understand the Oneness of God? Christians believe that God is One in three persons, or hypostasis, who has one essence and one will without separation. These are the Godhead, the "Logos" who is the Word of God, and the Holy Spirit. This declaration may seem an illogical statement. For how could it be one + one + one = one? There is no way this could be mathematically or logically proven.

But those who object to this logic must realize Christians do not say 1 + 1 + 1 = 1.

What Christianity says is 1 x 1 x 1 = 1.

The Oneness of God dictates we reject any belief in more than on God. This concept is essential in understanding God’s nature, otherwise, it is extremely difficult for both Christians and Muslims to comprehend the relationship between God and His attributes. God’s attributes are as eternal as He is. The attributes existed with God from eternity. Does this mean we have ninety-nine or more eternals besides God? Absolutely not! These eternal attributes have been in God from eternity. They are not created. Otherwise there would have been a time when God was without attributes. This same analogy can be applied to these three hypostasis with one exception: These hypostasis are not silent attributes. They are active in creation. Can you imagine God without His Spirit? A God without His Word? A God without a spirit is a dead God. A God without a Word is a dumb God. Such a God is not a God. We all believe in an intelligent, active God.

As believers in the inspired Word of God, we acknowledge God is not a blind force or power like a volcano or a tornado. God is an eternal, intelligent Being whose omniscience reaches beyond our understanding. Yet, God the Creator, the Omnipotent and Omniscient has chosen to reveal Himself to us gradually through His prophets in preparation for the full incarnation of His Word the "Logos" who is called the "Son of God,"or "The divine essence or being."

The term "Logos" is a Greek word meaning the "word." In Biblical language, it means "the divine expression." John 1:1 says: "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." The "Logos" is the Word of God which was in God before the beginning of creation. He is as eternal as God because He was in the Godhead from eternity. As the Word of God, He was active in the operation of creation. The gospel of John says: "All things came into being by Him and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being." (John 1:3) This means the "Logos" has been the active agent in creation from eternity.

If we study the Bible apart from any preconceived idea, we find the Holy Spirit active in the act of revelation, teaching and creation. The Holy Spirit as the Holy Spirit of God was with God from eternity. The following analogy, though incomplete, may be helpful in understanding the Oneness of God in three hypostasis: Can there be a sun without heat or light? A sun without these two elements is not a sun. Yet, though this sun is far away from us, we enjoy its warmth and light on earth. We have three elements and without them, the sun cannot be the sun. The sun itself. The heat and the light. But, it is still one sun. The heat and the light are not separated from the sun, but they are three different elements which form the sun.

The formula is 1 x 1 x 1 =1, and in this One is all the characteristics of the other two are manifested. In addition to the above, Jesus Himself referred with lucid language to the Father and the Son, the "Logos" and the Holy Spirit. Jesus revealed the intimate relationship among them. It is a relation which is based on full harmony in essence and will. This is why Jesus on many occasions explained with clarity and simplicity all that he did was not from Himself, but from God. Because Jesus is the Son of Man and the Son of God, the "Logos" has the same will of the Triune God. Jesus was fulfilling in a visible way, the will of the Triune God. His will and the will of the Father and Holy Spirit is one. Otherwise, they would contradict each other. Oneness in will and essence has manifested itself in everything Jesus accomplished on earth. Jesus did not come to dictate His will against the Father’s will and the will of the Holy Spirit. There was only one will and that was the will of the Triune God. Imagine three conflicting wills fighting against each other: the entire universe would be destroyed. This is why Jesus Christ asserted the oneness of the will of the Triune God. If He had not made this assertion, we would be encountering a mythological legend similar to those of the Greek gods who plotted against each other, seeking after their own lustful desires.

In the New Testament, the Godhead is called the Father-a spiritual Father; the "Logos" who is Jesus Christ and born of the Holy Spirit is called the Son of God in the spiritual sense, and the Holy Spirit. This doctrine of the Triune God is important in explaining our relationship with God. God is spirit and no one was or is able to see Him, yet God loved man, the crown if His creation, and determined to save him from his tragic eternal destiny. Man has already sinned against God and the wages of sin is death. Death here means the physical death as well as the spiritual death. The Bible says our sins have separated us from God who is a Just and Holy God. God’s law must be implemented regardless of the price. If it is not implemented, God who has established His own Law would be breaking the same laws He decreed, and that is contrary to His nature. In this case, he cannot be a reliable God. Yet, God is also a loving, merciful God. He does not desire for man to perish in eternal hell. That is why God sent His prophets first, then later His only Son in whom all prophecies have been fulfilled in order to save the human race from God’s judgement. It was the ultimate expression of love. Here the "Logos", the Word of God voluntarily was conceived of the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary to become one of us.

This took place for the following reasons:

1. To pay the penalty for our sins on the cross. There was no one else who could meet God’s requirements to be the Savior of the world, because Christ was the most righteous, the most perfect and the most sinless Being. He was the "Logos."

2. To go through all the trials of life like us without being subject to sin. Jesus as the "Logos" born of the Holy Spirit, was divine; and as the son of Mary was the Son of Man. As the "Logos," He manifested in all His righteous and miraculous life, the characteristics of God. As a "Logos," He was infinite, but as the Son of Man, He was subject to all the human sufferings, needs, and limitations.

3. To create in us a better understanding of God. Through the incarnated Christ, we acquire a better understanding of God. Jesus rebuilt the lost relationship between man and God which man destroyed when he rebelled against God. Being the "Logos" assigned by the Triune God to reveal God’s power, love and greatness on earth, Christ reflected in Himself all of God’s attributes. This is why He said: "He who beholds me has seen the Father" (John 4:10) In both verses, He was referring to Himself as the "Logos," the Word of God or the Son of God.

4. Thus, Christ was able to reconcile us to God because He was the only one who met the requirements of God’s holiness, justice and love. There was no tension whatsoever among these three attributes of God because in God there is no conflict of interests. All of God’s attributes respond in full harmony to His will. If they do not harmonize, God will be subject to an inner emotional and moral struggle. To understand the meaning of this new relationship we now enjoy with God through Jesus Christ, let us ponder what is called in Christianity, "The Lord’s Prayer." The disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray.

Jesus said, "Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13)

This prayer is significant because it reflects the new relationship between God and man. It is a relationship of spiritual fatherhood in which a Christian believer looks at God as a Father to whom he can go with all his requests and needs just as a child who approaches his father asking for help. Jesus said all those who believe in Him have been given the power to become the children of God in the spiritual sense. But this same Father, who loved us so much that He gave His only Son to die for us, is going to judge through Christ all those who reject His atoning act on the cross. As the children of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, we must honor this relationship. In other words, we have to live a Christ-like life to glorify God’s name. All of us are proud of our family’s names. We do not want to disgrace the name of our parents by having a bad reputation. We want our family to be proud of us as we are proud of our families. In our relationship with God, as His children through faith in Christ, we have to preserve this new affinity from any blemish. We can do that, not only by our own power, but through the power of the Holy Spirit who fills us with His strength, if our relationship with God is the right relationship.

Jesus summarized the whole of Christian behavior in one commandment: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and love your neighbor as you love yourself." Without the love of Christ dwelling in our hearts, we would not be able to fulfill God’s commandments. Finally, the concept of the Trinity is not something new to Christianity. It has existed from the creation of the world. It was God’s plan for the human race. Unfortunately, as the result of the fall, nations departed from God and carried with them the concept in a distorted form. These nations applied the trinity to their idols in their paganistic worship. Some believed in three gods who even fought among themselves and polarized other forces to take sides. These gods never have the same harmonious will and essence. Yet, the concept, though distorted, paved the way for the revelation to represent us with the true Triune God as God intended it to be from the beginning of creation. Christ in His last commandment before His ascension to heaven told His disciples: "Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Either Jesus was a liar, a lunatic or the true Son of God.

It is up to you to decide.

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ABRAHAM - Father of the three great religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam ABU BAKHR / ABU BAKR– the first Caliph and successor to Muhammad ADHAN– call to prayer AHL AL-KITAB – “People of the Book.” Qur’anic reference to Christians, Jews, Sabaeans and Zoroastrians. AL-ADHA– “sacrifices.” Also a feast holiday on the Muslim calendar. ALI – cousin of Muhammad revered by Shi’ites. ALIM – a recognized scholar of the Qur’an and hadith. ALLAH – “the God.” Arabic name for God. ALLAHU AKHBAR – “God is great.” AL-WAHHAB – founder of the Wahhabis which led to the creation of the Saudi state in Arabia AYAT – lit., “sign.” A verse in the Qur’an. BISMILLAH – “In the name of God.” CALIPH – “successor.” A title given to the rulers of the Muslim community who succeeded Muhammad. DHIKR – “recollection (of God)” DIN – “religion” FARD – religious duty FATIMA – daughter of Muhammad FATWA – legal opinion FIQH – “understanding.” The science of legal interpretation. GABRIEL – the angel who revealed the Qur’an to Muhammad HADITH – lit., “new.” Reports of the words and deeds of Muhammad. There exist various notable collections of hadith, such as al-Muwatta, al-Tirmidhi, Sahih al-Bukhari, and Sahih Muslim. HAJJ – pilgrimage to Mecca HANAFIS – a school of law named for Abu Hanif HANBALIS – a school of law named for Ibn Hanbal HAQQ - TRUTHHEGIRA – “migration.” The flight of Muhammad in 622 AD to Medina to escape persecution in Mecca. This event marks the beginning of the Muslim calendar. HEZBOLLAH – the “Party of Allah.” Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem HOLY WAR – “jihad.” The act of striving to preserve or impose the religion of God. ID AL-FITR – feast at the end of Ramadan IFTAR – breaking of the fast after sunset IHRAM – cloth worn by the pilgrim to Mecca IJMA– consensus of the scholars IMAM– a Muslim religious leader INJIL– Arabic title for the holy book given to Jesus. INTIFADA - “awakening,” or “uprising” ISLAM – “surrender” ISNAD – the chain of authority of hadith JIHAD – “to strive for the faith.” Commonly referred to as a holy war to preserve or impose God’s religion. JINN– spirits JIZYA– poll tax judgment: heaven and hell KA'BA – lit., “square.” The holiest shrine in Islam, located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. A structure believed by Muslims to have been built by Abraham, and is the focus of the annual pilgrimage of all Muslims. KHADIJA – first wife of Muhammad KHARAJ – land tax KHUTBA – sermon during the Friday prayer MADHHAB – religious-legal school MADRASA – “school” MAHDI – “the rightly guided one” who will appear before the Last Judgment MALIKIS – a school of law named for Malik ibn Anas Mary, mother of Jesus MASJID – mosque. The common place of prayer. MATN – text of hadithMecca – The birthplace of Muhammad. It is the holiest city in Islam, and is where the Ka’ba is located. Medina – The city 260 miles north of Mecca, where Muhammad took refuge in 622 AD. Muhammad built the first mosque in Medina and was buried there. MIHRAB – niche in a mosque showing the direction of Mecca MINARET – tower from which the call to prayer is made MINBAR – pulpit used for the Friday sermon MOSQUE – The common place of prayer MU'AWIYA – The Muslim leader who forced Ali out of the Caliphate. This began the division in Islam, with Mu’awiya leading the Sunni sect. mufti – legal scholar MUTA – temporary marriage pilgrimage (hajj) QADAR – “destiny” QADI– religious judge QIYAS – “analogy” QUR'AN – “recite.” The book that was revealed to Muhammad and is the basis of the Islamic faith. QURAYSH – the tribe from which Muhammad came. RAKA – bodily positions in ritual prayer RAMADAN – The month of fasting for Muslims, during which all Muslims who are able should abstain abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. RAY – “opinion” RIBA – usury SAHIH – a “sound” HADITH SALADIN (or, Salah al-Din) – Defeated the Crusader army in 1187 during the Third Crusade, returning Jerusalem to Islamic rule. SALAT– the prayer that is practiced by Muslims five times a day. SAWM– the fast during the month of Ramadan. During this month a Muslim should abstain from eating, smoking, sexual intercourse and other forms of self-indulgence during daylight hours. SHAFI'I – intercessor on Judgment Day SHAFI'IS – a school of law named for al- SHAFISHAHADA – “confession.” The Muslim’s testimony that there is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messanger. SHARI'A – “law.” Islamic law that governs daily life. SHARIF – “noble” SHI'AT ALI – “Party of Ali.” Shai’, or Shi’ite sect of Islam. SHI'ITE – “followers.” The name of the sect that followed Ali after Mu’awiya forced him from the Caliphate. SHIRK – the sin of blasphemy against God SHURA - council SIRAT – bridge over hell to be crossed at the Last Judgment SUFI – A Muslim mystic. SUFISM – A mystic sect of Islam. SUNNA – “tradition.” The deeds of Muhammad that serve as the example followed by the Sunni community. SUNNI – “followers of the path.” The name of the sect who followed Mu’awiya after he forced Ali from the Caliphate. SURA – A chapter of the Qur’an. There are 114 suras. TAHAJUD – night prayer TALAQ – divorce TARAWIH – prayers offered after the breaking of fast of Ramadan TARIQA – “path” TASFIR – Exegesis of the Qur’an. TASIN – beginning of sura TAWRAT – Arabic title for the Torah. TILAWAT – recitation of the Qur’an ULAMA– legal scholars Umayyad/Umayyads UMMA – the Muslim community URF – customary law UTHMAN - Uthman ibn ‘Affan was chosen as the third Caliph in 644. Wahhabis WAHID – “one” WAQF – a foundation or trust given for the establishment of charity or education. WUDU - ablution ZABUR – Arabic title for the Psalms of David. ZAKAT – almsgiving