A Truth to Believe

What does it mean that God is United or Simple?

God is a single, simple, spiritual being. To affirm that God is simple means that he is not composed of separate parts or divided attributes. Rather, God is one united essence who fully and simultaneously embodies all his divine perfections. Throughout church history, theologians have called this doctrine divine simplicity.

But do not be fooled by the term. To say that God is simple does not mean that he is easy to understand, slow, or lacking in anything. By "simple," we mean the opposite of compound. God is not made up of ingredients or parts joined together like pieces of a whole. God is a single, simple, spiritual being. Although God is one united essence, he is infinitely glorious and intricately complex.

Within his being, God is without parts or pieces. He is not the sum or combination of his attributes. He does not possess any part that he depends on to be who he is. God is not assembled from love, grace, righteousness, wisdom, and power as if they were separate components of his nature. Rather, God is love, God is grace, God is righteousness, God is wisdom, and God is power. Thus, all of God's attributes are synonymous with his essence. All that is in God is God.

For this reason, we cannot rank or divide God's attributes as though he is more loving than holy, more merciful than just, or more light than power. Every attribute of God is fully and perfectly true of him at all times. God is eternally, infinitely, and completely all that he is.

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And he said, “Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” (Exodus 3:14).

Something about Living

We often focus more on what we are doing: where to work, live, and play; and think less about who we are: how am I living and who am I becoming.

Are you more focused on doing than becoming, accomplishing than treasuring, scurrying about than growing in godliness? What are you giving the most time, energy, and attention to each day? It will shape you.

A Quote

“Disregard the study of God, and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life blindfolded, as it were, with no sense of direction and no understanding of what surrounds you. This way you can waste your life and lose your soul.”

J. I. Packer

A Resource

If you want to study theology but feel overwhelmed by the sheer size and scope of comprehensive systematic theology books, then take a look at Kevin DeYoung's Daily Doctrine.

DeYoung gives short daily readings that, over the course of a year, guide a reader through systematic theology.