The Doctrine of God: A Scholarly Exploration

 

The doctrine of God, as articulated in Prof. Lakshman Madurasinghe’s Foundations of Christian Faith (2015), serves as a cornerstone of Christian theology, reflecting a belief in a divine being greater than humanity, shared across cultures and civilizations. Within the Judeo-Christian-Islamic tradition, this belief centers on a single, supreme, and infinite God, distinguishing it from polytheistic or pantheistic worldviews. 
However, the term "God" has been subject to diverse interpretations and misuses in modern contexts, necessitating a return to its original Christian meaning. This article examines the nature, existence, and attributes of God as presented in the text, offering a scholarly analysis rooted in biblical and philosophical perspectives.The Nature of GodThe Christian understanding of God’s nature is succinctly captured in the Jewish Shema: “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God, the Lord is one” (Deuteronomy 6:4). This declaration emphasizes God’s indivisible unity, contrasting with human nature, which comprises both material and immaterial elements. God’s being is simple and numerically one, yet this unity accommodates the doctrine of the Trinity, where unity differs from a singular unit. Scripture further defines God as spirit (John 4:24), light (1 John 1:5), and love (1 John 4:17), portraying an immaterial, eternal, and relational essence. These attributes underscore that God is not an impersonal force but a personal being, inviting worship “in spirit and truth.”The Existence of GodThe Bible assumes God’s existence without offering empirical proof, beginning with the assertion, “In the beginning God…” (Genesis 1:1). This presupposition aligns with Hebrews 11:6, which posits that faith in God requires belief in His existence as the foundational link between creator and creature. Madurasinghe outlines five philosophical arguments to corroborate this innate conviction:

1. Cosmological Argument: Everything with a beginning requires an adequate cause. The universe, evidenced by the second law of thermodynamics (entropy), is running down and thus must have had a beginning, implying a causative power beyond itself.
2. Teleological Argument: The design and purpose evident in creation suggest an intelligent designer greater than the universe, akin to a watch proving a maker.
3. Ontological Argument: The idea of God, infinitely greater than humanity, cannot originate in human thought and must stem from God Himself.
4. Anthropological Argument: Humanity, created in God’s image as the pinnacle of creation, reflects an intelligent design pointing to an intelligent God.
5. Moral Argument: The human conscience, recognizing right and wrong, indicates a divine lawgiver, reinforcing God’s existence.

These arguments are cumulative, not standalone proofs, and rely on evidence suited to a spiritual entity.Non-Christian ViewsMadurasinghe contrasts Christian theism with non-Christian perspectives, noting humanity’s tendency to reject God due to sin (Romans 1:28). Theistic views include:

• Pantheism: God is identical to nature, with no distinction between creator and creation.
• Polytheism: Worship of multiple gods, as seen in ancient Egyptian and Babylonian cultures.
• Dualism: Two opposing principles (e.g., good and evil) exist independently.
• Deism: God is transcendent, initiating creation but remaining absent thereafter.

Non-theistic views encompass:

• Atheism: Asserts positive evidence for God’s non-existence, with types including practical, dogmatic, and virtual atheism.
• Agnosticism: Claims ignorance of God’s existence, with variants like positivism, pragmatism, and existentialism.

These views highlight humanity’s diverse responses to the divine, often shaped by cultural or philosophical biases.Attributes of GodGod’s attributes, or qualities defining His essence, are divided into non-moral (essential) and moral (communicable) categories:Non-Moral Attributes

• Eternality: God has no beginning or end, as affirmed by titles like “I AM” (Exodus 3:14) and “Alpha and Omega” (Revelation 1:8).
• Self-Existence: God’s existence is intrinsic, not derived from another (John 1:4).
• Immutability: God’s perfect nature remains unchanged (Malachi 3:6).
• Omnipotence: God’s absolute power manifests in creation and miracles, with ordinate power using secondary causes (Jeremiah 32:17).
• Omniscience: God knows all things simultaneously, transcending human concepts of foreknowledge (Psalm 139:1-6).
• Omnipresence: God is present everywhere, unbound by space or time (Psalm 139:7-10).

Moral Attributes

• Perfect Holiness: God’s absolute purity prohibits sin (Isaiah 6:3).
• Perfect Righteousness: God’s holiness acts justly toward His creation (Psalm 11:7).
• Perfect Love: God’s essence is love, offering boldness in judgment (1 John 4:16).
• Perfect Faithfulness: God’s reliability calls believers to emulate this trait (Lamentations 3:22-23).

These attributes distinguish God as infinite, perfect, and relational, inviting humanity to reflect His moral qualities.Theological ImplicationsThe doctrine of God underpins Christian faith, influencing beliefs about Christ, salvation, and scripture. Madurasinghe’s text suggests that understanding God’s nature shapes one’s eternal destiny, a theme echoed in the doctrine of Christ, which hinges on His divine-human union. The attributes of God provide a framework for theological reflection, balancing transcendence with immanence, and challenging non-Christian worldviews to reconsider the evidence of a purposeful creation.
In conclusion, the doctrine of God, as elucidated by Madurasinghe, offers a robust theological foundation. It integrates biblical revelation with philosophical inquiry, affirming God’s existence and nature as spirit, light, and love, with attributes that define His eternal relationship with humanity. This scholarly exploration underscores the centrality of God in Christian thought, inviting further study into His manifold perfections.