GOD IS FREE, SELF-CONSCIOUS,
EMOTIONAL
It has been clearly established in the Scriptures that God is spirit (John 4:24), and that personality is
grounded in and centers in spirit. Certain qualities of spirit display
personality, such as life, intelligence, purpose, and activity. But in addition
there are three qualities that Christians in general and theologians in particular
are convinced belong to God, which qualities display personality. These three
are self-determination,
self-consciousness, and emotion.
Inasmuch as
man has been made in the image of God, and these three qualities are not only
present in men but also distinguish them from the impersonal, it is a valid
conclusion that these very qualities must be present in God. But the validity
for this conclusion does not rest on mere human reason. Divine revelation also
makes clear statements to this effect. God is self-determining, for "he
works all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11). God is self-conscious, for He recognizes the existence of Himself and
refers to Himself as "I AM"
(Exod. 3:14). And God is emotional, for He is moved by love for
the object of His affection and by anger at sin (Hosea 14:4).
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