GOD'S PLAN
Who and What is God?
This is a big question. There are many challenges in providing a complete answer to this question, given the fact that we are not God and do not exist in the same realm He does. It is sort of like asking a pawn in a chess match to describe the full nature of the chess master that is directing its movements. We can only know what we can see and deduce from our senses and from what He tells us.
To answer this awesome question, we have the privilege of hearing direct from the source, through His Word. There is a lot to this topic, so we will take a chunk at a time and look at it from a few different perspectives.
From the Scientific Perspective
This going to be a summary of the key points that show scientific evidence of God as the creator of the universe. See the Apologetics section for a more in-depth analysis of this topic.
Fact #1 – The universe had a definite beginning.
Science has figured out that the universe had a definite beginning, commonly referred to as the Big Bang. Let’s set aside the question of how long ago that happened and just focus on this scientific fact.
Fact #2 – The 1st Law of Thermodynamics.
The 1st law of thermodynamics states that if heat is recognized as a form of energy, then the total energy of a system plus its surroundings is conserved; in other words, the total energy of the universe remains constant. Although energy can be exchanged between system and surroundings, it can’t be created or destroyed.
Fact #3 – The 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.
The 2nd law of thermodynamics states that the order of any system is always decreasing, also known as entropy. Both of these laws have to be met for any process to function.
When looking at these three facts together, science knows that 1) all the energy that makes up this universe has existed eternally. Science also knows 2) the physical universe had a definite beginning. Science has proven that 3) the organization of the energy of the universe is moving from order to disorder.
Fact #4 – The Universe is fine tuned for life.
The universe reflects an intricate design that is perfect for life. There are a number of forces that are tuned exactly where they need to be to allow life to exist. Consider from a scientific perspective the following.
- If the strong nuclear force were slightly more powerful, then hydrogen would not exist, which is an essential element of life. If it was slightly weaker, then hydrogen would be the only element that existed.
- If the electromagnetic force were just slightly stronger or weaker, atomic bonds, and thus complex molecules, could not form.
- If the weak nuclear force were slightly different, then either there would not be enough helium to generate heavy elements in stars, or stars would burn out too quickly and supernova explosions could not scatter heavy elements across the universe.
- If the value of the gravitational constant were slightly larger, one consequence would be that stars would become too hot and burn out too quickly. If it were smaller, stars would never burn at all and heavy elements would not be produced.
These laws and constants of the universe are finely tuned and are an example of a highly specified complexity in nature. They are complex in that their values and settings are highly unlikely to be random or accidental. They are specified in such a way that they match the specific requirements needed for life.
The following gives you a sense of the degree of fine-tuning that must go into some of these values to yield a universe that can have life.
- Gravitational constant: 1 part in 10^34
- Electromagnetic force versus force of gravity: 1 part in 10^37
- Cosmological constant: 1 part in 10^120
- Mass density of universe: 1 part in 10^59
- Expansion rate of universe: 1 part in 10^55
- Initial entropy: 1 part in 10^ (10^123)
In science, when it comes to the probabilities of randomness being the cause, anything greater than 10^50 is considered “absurd”. Notice the last item in the list, the initial entropy of the universe? This shows an astonishing degree of fine-tuning and is what the 2nd Law of Thermodynamics is all about.
What this shows is an incredibly precise, purposeful care and planning that went into the design of the laws and constants of the universe, which speaks unmistakably to intelligent design.
A Nobel laureate in physics Charles Townes put it this way:
Intelligent design, as one sees it from a scientific point of view, seems to be quite real. This is a very special universe: it’s remarkable that it came out just this way. If the laws of physics weren’t just the way they are, we couldn’t be here at all. The sun couldn’t be there, the laws of gravity and nuclear laws and magnetic theory, quantum mechanics, and so on have to be just the way they are for us to be here.
All of this means that an eternal energy created the physical universe in a highly organized fashion at a specific time in the past. Doesn’t that sound like God to you? Science has clearly shown that evolution has no scientific foundation. Evolution cannot answer the question of how the universe started. The Big Bang in and of itself doesn’t answer the question of what caused the big bang. Evolution states something came from nothing, which violates the laws of thermodynamics. Science only supports the God hypothesis. See the Apologetics section for a more detailed analysis of this topic.
The Biblical Perspective
Now that the scientific foundation for God has been established, we can ascertain quite a bit about the nature and character of God from His Word.
God the Creator
The Bible starts with God’s first action, the creation of the heavens and the earth.
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen 1:1 KJV)
The first chapter of Genesis details the incredible creation of our universe, right down to humanity. The first three verses of the Gospel of John also give us a quick summary of that creation from a slightly different perspective.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (Jhn 1:1-3 KJV)
In Job 38-42, God gives Job a four-chapter science lesson on the creation of the universe. In it, God describes creating the heavens and the earth, light and darkness, stretching out the heavens and more.
God the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit
One of the more complicated aspects of God to understand is the Trinity; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Word shows God is one, but in three forms.
God is one: in Mark 12:29 (KJV) “Jesus answered, ‘The foremost is, Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord’ “.
One, yet plural: In Genesis 1:26 (KJV) it says, “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’ “.
In Hebrew, Genesis 1, uses a grammatical error on purpose. It uses the singular syntax for the plural word for God, “Elohim”. In Hebrew, the last two letters “im” are used to make the word plural. However, it is used in conjunction with the singular verb. That’s like saying in English “They am” instead of “I am” (singular) or “They are” (plural). This is consistent throughout scripture on purpose. It shows the multi-form of our singular God.
The Father is Spirit: [Gen 1:2 NKJV] The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
[Jhn 4:24 NKJV] “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The Son is Physical [Jhn 1:14 NKJV] And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
The Spirit and the Flesh are one [1Co 8:6 NKJV] yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.
[Jhn 10:30 NKJV] “I and My Father are one.”
[Jhn 1:18 NKJV] No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.
[Col 1:15 NKJV] He (Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.
[Col 1:16 NKJV] For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.
[Col 1:17 NKJV] And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
God’s Spirit in Us [Jhn 14:26 NKJV] “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
The Trinity [2Co 13:14 NKJV] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
[Mat 28:19 NKJV] “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
God is outside the universe, as He is the one that created it. God is also in the universe in the person of Jesus Christ and as the Holy Spirit and was present in the Garden of Eden and with the Israelites wandering in the desert.
Think of it this way. The Father is spirit that is beyond the physical universe. The Son is the physical aspect of God. It was through the Son the universe was created (physicality). The Son is God in physical form. The Son is also known as the Word of God. It was through His Word the world was made. The Holy Spirit is God’s spirit in the physical world indwelling in each of us.
What is God?
Light [Jhn 1:4 NKJV] In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
[1Jo 1:5 NKJV] This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.
Spirit [Jhn 4:24 NKJV] “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Love [1Jo 4:8 NKJV] He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The Way, the Truth and the Life [Jhn 14:6 NKJV] Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Eternal [Exo 3:14 NKJV] And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ “
[Rev 1:8 NKJV] “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
How is God?
What are the characteristics of God? How does He behave?
Unchanging [Heb 13:8 NKJV] Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (unchanging)
Loving– “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” 1 John 3:1
Kind – “So that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:7-8
Compassionate – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psa 103:8
Giving– “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
Faithful – “The Lord’s loving kindnesses indeed never cease, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23
Merciful – “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:4-5
Strong – “Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.” Psa 24:8
Forgiving– “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
Good – “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.” Psa 136:1
Righteous– “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” Psa 145:17
Caring– “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
Sovereign – “The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psa 103:19
Shepherd– “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psa 23:1-3
Ever-Present– “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psa 46:1
Refuge– “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust!” Psa 91:1-2
Gracious – “The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.” Psa 116:5
Healer – “…for I am the LORD, who heals you.” Exodus 15:26
Powerful – “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth; Yours is the dominion, O LORD, and You exalt Yourself as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You rule over all, and in Your hand is power and might; and it lies in Your hand to make great and to strengthen everyone.” 1 Chronicles 29:11-12
One Who Saves– “The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
Helper– “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
The One Who Makes All Things New– “He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5
Just
[Act 17:31 NKJV] “because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
[Psa 50:6 NIV] And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.
Angry – Deuteronomy 31:17
Then My anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide My face from them, and they will be consumed, and many evils and troubles will come upon them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Is it not because our God is not among us that these evils have come upon us?’
Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
Sad
Genesis 6:5-6, ESV The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.
Desiring of Us
Jeremiah 29:11-13, NIV For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Amen.
God the Teacher
We are in school and God is our teacher. He does this in many forms. In the Old Testament He was a burning bush to Moses on Mt. Sinai. He was a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night in the tabernacle while the Israelites were in the wilderness. In each of these He was teaching them what to do and how to do it. In Psalms 25:12 (KJV) it says,“What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.” And again, in Psalms 32:8 (KJV), “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
The Israelites struggled to learn and follow, and God was patient with them, but also stern. In Psalms 94:10 (KJV) it says, “He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?” And again, in Jeremiah 3233 (KJV), “And they have turned unto me the back, and not the face: though I taught them, rising up early and teaching them, yet they have not hearkened to receive instruction.”
Then God came to us in the physical form of Jesus to teach us how to live right and to prepare us for the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus taught us in parables, which is discussed in more details in The Parables of Jesus. Read Matthew 13 for a good example.
After Jesus was resurrected, God came to us in the form of the Holy Spirit to help us learn how to live righteously. In John14:26 (KJV) it says, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
God wants us to learn. He is not going to force us to do so, though. A teacher does not tell you the answer to the question when you are being tested but wants you to come up with the right answer yourself. The rationale behind this is discussed in Free Will and Sin.
