A Personal Confession on God

Theologians debate whether to begin theological discussions with revelation or God. On the one hand, we would have no revelation without God. On the other hand, we would know nothing of God without revelation. Personally, I think it is best to begin with God in any theological conversation. So without further delay, I submit to you my confession on God.

Creator

I believe in one true God eternally existing in three unique persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Each person is equally God and united with one another by one essence. God has no beginning and will never come to an end. He exists outside of time and sees all of time at once. God relies on nothing for his existence. He is uncaused and yet causes all other things to exist (Matthew 3:16-17, 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Titus 3:4-6; 1 Peter 1:2; Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 90:2-4; 2 Peter 3:8; John 5:26; Acts 17:24-25).

I believe that God is the greatest possible being and beyond full comprehension. He possesses the highest quality of every attribute without a division of parts. He is not bound by the dimensions of this world and thus remains completely present in all places at all times (Psalm 145:3, 147:5; Job 5:9, 11:7-9; 1 Samuel 2:2; Jeremiah 23:23-24; Psalm 139:7-12; 1 Kings 8:27).

I believe that God is unchanging in his being, purposes, and character. He always acts in a manner consistent with his nature. As a result, God shows himself to be completely trustworthy and reliable. God possesses exhaustive knowledge of the past, present, and future. He wisely applies this knowledge to every situation in order to accomplish his perfect purposes. God is supremely powerful and accomplishes his holy will without interference. He created all things and continues to sustain them by his power (Malachi 3:6; James 1:17; Hebrews 13:8; Psalm 139:1-4, 147:4-5; Job 37:16; Romans 11:33; Hebrews 4:13; Job 42:2; Matthew 28:18; Colossians 1:16-17).

I believe that God is holy and perfect in every way. Every action and motive of God is good. He is the foundation of all truth and the standard by which all things are measured. God is faithful to his word and fulfills all that he promises (Isaiah 6:3; Psalm 99:9, 145:17; Psalm 34:8, 106:1, 119:68; Romans 8:28, 12:2; Jeremiah 10:10; John 17:17; Deuteronomy 32:4; Numbers 23:19).

Fall

I believe God created the world in such a way as to make evil a possibility. God can do no evil because he is perfect and pure. Thus, God is not the author of evil. Instead, God has permitted evil as a result of creating human beings with the capacity to make free choices. Evil is born out of our own desires. Yet God hates evil and sin. He pronounces judgment on any of us who do evil and sin against him because of his purity and absolute goodness. He cannot have a relationship with sin and thus cannot have a relationship with sinners (James 1:13-15; Genesis 3:1-19; Romans 5:12; John 3:36; Romans 1:18; Habakkuk 1:13; Psalm 5:4-5).

Redeemer

I believe that God loves us and desires relationship with us. He came to earth as a man, suffered on the cross, and died in our place in order to bear the punishment for our sin. God is gracious and merciful. Out of his own free choice and good pleasure, God gives us grace by rescuing us from sin and death. He is merciful to us when we desperately need it and shows us love in response to our suffering and cries. God is patient and longsuffering. He is slow to anger and quick to show love. He delays his judgment of sin in order that more people can be saved. He is the loving Redeemer and worthy to be praised (Hosea 11:1-4; Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:8, 3:16; Romans 5:8, John 3:16; Ephesians 2:4, 8-9; Psalm 145:8; Titus 3:5; Romans 9:15-16; Numbers 14:18; 2 Peter 3:9).