Introduction: The Majesty of God
John Calvin didn’t lay out the doctrine of God’s attributes as a separate topic, but he lived with a deep, vivid awareness of God’s majesty.
At the core of his thinking was God’s sovereignty, which filled his thoughts and life. Calvin lived in the confidence that God’s will is actively working justice in the world right now.
Can We Really Know God?
Yes, we can. But Cornelius Van Til reminds us that our knowledge of God must always be rooted in His incomprehensibility.
What does that mean? Simply put, we can know God, but we will never fully grasp Him.
This is the brilliance of Reformed theology: it acknowledges God’s majesty without reducing Him to something we can fully comprehend. God’s attributes—His character—are the foundation of our knowledge of Him.
God’s Attributes: Who He Is and How He Works
God is the source of all creation, holding all things together. He is eternal, unchanging, and exists in perfect goodness.
When we talk about God’s attributes, we’re really talking about His essence—who He is at His core. He is blessed within Himself, existing in perfect joy and love within the Trinity. This internal blessedness is part of who God is, and it is revealed to us through creation and His actions.
God’s Attributes Are Unified
Herman Bavinck, a renowned theologian, points out that while we may classify God’s attributes into categories—like communicable (things we can share, like love) and incommunicable (things only God has, like omniscience)—these are just helpful ways to understand God.
In reality, all of God’s attributes work together in perfect unity. When we understand these attributes, we begin to truly know God. And that knowledge is what brings us closer to Him.
The Universe as a Reflection of God’s Majesty
Calvin delves into how God’s creation reveals His divine nature. Even science can give us a glimpse of this truth.
For example, take “Olbers’ Paradox” in astronomy—the idea that if the universe were infinite and filled with stars, the night sky should be completely bright. Yet, it’s not. Why?
Because much of the light hasn’t reached us yet, or it’s in forms we can’t see, like microwaves. This reminds us that what we can see is just a small part of reality.
God’s creation is filled with wonders beyond our comprehension, and this humbles us. It reminds us that while our knowledge is limited, it’s enough for us to know and worship God. Calvin puts it beautifully:
“This kind of knowledge should awaken us to worship God, give us hope for eternity, and inspire courage in our hearts.”
God Helps Us Know Him, Even After the Fall
Even after humanity’s fall, God still allows us to know Him. Though our understanding is not what it was in the Garden of Eden, He didn’t leave us in the dark.
Most importantly, He gave us Scripture and the Holy Spirit to guide us. Calvin taught that Scripture clears up our confusion about God and shows us the true picture of who He is.
Calvin’s approach to interpreting the Bible rests on two main ideas: (1) the Bible interprets itself, and (2) the Holy Spirit, as the true author of Scripture, also helps us understand it.
Why Preaching Matters
David Wells, a contemporary theologian, speaks of the power and authority of God’s Word. He says the Bible doesn’t just carry authority—it is God’s Word.
Preaching is one of the ways God speaks to us today. When a preacher is faithful to the text of Scripture and has a heart aligned with God, God speaks through that sermon.
As Luther said, “God lives in the preacher’s mouth.” Preaching should connect the truths of Scripture with our everyday lives, and when it does, it brings us into the very presence of God.
God’s Desire to Dwell in Our Hearts
The fact that the Creator of all things desires to dwell in human hearts is a source of great wonder for believers. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said:
“We must live as those who know they have been called by the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
In other words, we are called to live lives worthy of this great calling. But for our lives to reflect this calling, we must first be filled with the truth of the gospel.
Unfortunately, today, we often see a moralized or watered-down version of the gospel that focuses more on positive thinking than on the full message of Christ. This is a “tilted gospel” because it leaves out important truths.
Conclusion: A Balanced Gospel for the Whole Person
Christianity doesn’t just focus on one part of who we are; it restores all aspects of human nature. God wants every part of us—our minds, bodies, and spirits—to be fully aligned with Him.
The goal is for all parts of our being to work together in harmony so that we can serve and glorify Him with our entire selves.
