Introduction
The Attributes of God and Communion with God are my chosen biblical doctrines. The main character of the biblical God is a powerful, invisible force that directs the course of history and intervenes in the lives of people on earth. Many people see this as evidence of an all-powerful, loving deity who cares about humans and their salvation. Communion with God narrative is about the first man, Adam, who was created by God in his own image. When Adam sinned, he separated himself from God, and all of creation was affected. However, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, humans can be reconciled and restored to fellowship with God. Communion story is a reminder that the bible books are not separate but rather united under one overarching redemption story. The Attributes of God and Communion with God demonstrate God’s love for humans during creation, fall, redemption, and restoration.
The Attributes of God and Communion with God
There are many different attributes of God that are discussed in the biblical narrative. Some of these include his omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. These attributes have implications for understanding the unity of the Bible books. For example, because God is omniscient, He knows all things past, present, and future. This means that He is able to unify the disparate stories and events recorded in Scripture into one coherent whole (Etzel & Small, 2016). In addition, because God is omnipotent, He has the power to bring about His will and purposes in spite of any opposition. This can give us hope that even when things seem hopeless or out of control, God is still sovereign and in charge.
The Attributes of God are found throughout the Bible’s narrative, which unfolds through creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. In creation, we see that God is majestic and eternal (Psalm 90:2), omnipotent and omniscient (Genesis 18:14), righteous and just (Deuteronomy 32:4), kind and merciful (Psalm 103:8), gracious and slow to anger (Exodus 34:6). In the fall, we see that sin entered the world through Adam and Eve’s disobedience to God, which resulted in their separation from Him (Pink, 2019). This introduced suffering, pain, death, and corruption into the world.
The Attributes of God are revealed through the biblical narrative as it unfolds from Redemption to Restoration. For example, in the story of Adam and Eve, we see God’s character as one who is willing to forgive and redeem sinners (Pink, 2019). This is seen in the way that He provides a way for them to be clothed and covered despite their sin. In the story of Noah, we see God’s character as one who is willing to give second chances. Even though Noah was righteous and found favor in God’s sight, he still faced destruction along with the rest of mankind. Through Noah’s faithfulness, God saved him and his family through the flood (Pink, 2019). This shows us that God is always willing to extend mercy toward those who are repentant.
The biblical story of communion with God unfolds throughout the narrative of Creation and Fall. In the beginning, when God created the world and man, there was perfect harmony between humans and their Creator; but then came sin, and with it, separation from God (Ene, 2021). The man was no longer able to live in close communion with his Maker, and life on earth became a struggle. Through Jesus Christ’s intervention, mankind has been offered reconciliation and once again can come into fellowship with God. This happens through faith in Jesus as our Savior; we are saved by grace alone through faith in Him (Etzel & Small, 2016). And when we receive him as our Lord and Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit who enables us to have communion with God Himself.
Moreover, communion with God also unfolds through redemption and restoration. The word “communion” comes from the Latin communio, which means “sharing or participation” (Summerhays, 2020). Christians believe that through Christ, they can have a personal relationship with God. This mutual sharing and communication between God and believers is based on principles found throughout Scripture. The biblical narrative of redemption teaches that all people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). We are designed for fellowship with Him, but our sinful nature, prone to rebelliousness, breaks that communion. Because of our sinfulness, we are cut off from his presence (Isaiah 59:2). Due to his greatness, he gave us his only son to die for us, which cleansed our sins by restoring the good relationship between man and God.
In the book of Exodus, Moses encounters God in a burning bush. God commissions Moses to lead the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt and into Canaan, the land he promised them. After leading the Israelites across the Red Sea and through the wilderness, Moses arrives at Mount Sinai (Ene, 2021). There, God reveals his law to Moses and makes a covenant with the people of Israel. Moses mediates between God and his people, conveying God’s will and bringing about reconciliation when they stray from him. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites finally enter Canaan but quickly fall into idolatry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, through communing with God and the attributes of God, we learn that his love for humans is unwavering from creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Concerning God’s attributes, he is omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient, just, righteous, merciful, kind, slow of anger, and gracious. All the qualities are seen during the creation, but after man’s disobedience to God, he introduced suffering to man; he later forgave the man. Regarding communing with God narrative, after the man sinned against his Maker, thus drifting their relationship. He still offers his only son Jesus Christ; he reconciles with the man. During the Israelites’ deliverance, they went against God’s laws, but through Moses’s mediation, they were pardoned and reached the promised land.
References
Ene, I. (2021). Religion-The discipline of restoring communion between people. European Journal of Social Science Education and Research, 8(1), 79-87. Web.
Etzel, G., & Small, R. (2016). Everyday theology. B&H Academic.
Pink, A. W. (2019). The attributes of God. General Press.
Summerhays, P. J. (2020). Diocesan synod: Event of communion and action of governance for the archdiocese of San Francisco. The Catholic University of America.