Renewing Your Mind Podcast Summary
Episode Title: Incommunicable Attributes
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Host/Author: Ligonier Ministries
Host: Nathan W. Bingham
Featuring: R.C. Sproul
Introduction
In this episode of Renewing Your Mind, hosted by Nathan W. Bingham from Ligonier Ministries, renowned theologian R.C. Sproul delves into the profound concept of God's incommunicable attributes. As part of Sproul's foundational series on systematic theology, this episode aims to deepen Christians' understanding of God's unique nature, distinguishing His exclusive characteristics from those shared with humanity.
Understanding God's Attributes
A: Sproul begins by illustrating the importance of attributes in identifying and understanding God's nature. He compares human identification traits, such as those found on a driver's license (e.g., eye color, age), to theological attributes used to describe God.
Key Distinctions:
- Communicable Attributes: Traits such as love, goodness, and kindness that God shares with humans.
- Incommunicable Attributes: Unique characteristics that belong solely to God, which cannot be shared or imparted to His creation.
B: The host emphasizes the significance of studying these attributes, highlighting that the week's focus is on the incommunicable aspects of God's character.
Incommunicable Attributes Explored
Holiness, Immutability, Infinity, and Sovereignty
A: Sproul explains that God's incommunicable attributes define His essence and distinguish Him from all creation. Unlike humans, who are composed of various parts and dependent on external factors for existence, God is simple in His being—not complex or made up of disparate attributes, but rather, He is His attributes.
Notable Quote:
"God is not a complex being made up of separate attributes; He is His attributes in an undivided, simple way." ([01:29])
This means that when we attribute holiness, justice, or omnipotence to God, these qualities are intrinsically unified and inseparable in His nature.
The Supremacy of God's Being
A: Sproul contrasts God's aseity—the property of being self-existent and independent—with human dependency. He uses relatable examples, such as needing identification or the fragility of human life, to underscore our dependence on God for existence and sustenance.
Notable Quote:
"God is not dependent, not created, not finite, but He has the power of being in and of Himself. He doesn't derive it from something else." ([17:45])
He further explores the logical necessity of God's existence, arguing that something exists rather than nothing, and this "something" must possess the aseity that only God has.
Addressing Common Misconceptions
A: Sproul confronts philosophical challenges to God's existence, such as Bertrand Russell's interpretation of John Stuart Mill's critique of the cosmological argument. He clarifies that while every effect has a cause, God, as a self-existent being, does not require a cause.
B: The host summarizes that studying God's incommunicable attributes leads to a deeper worship and reverence for His supreme and unchangeable nature.
Practical Implications for Believers
Understanding God's incommunicable attributes has profound implications for Christian living. Recognizing God's supremacy and self-sufficiency fosters a sense of worship, obedience, and dependence on Him. Sproul passionately argues that unlike transient human achievements, God's eternal and immutable nature deserves perpetual honor and praise.
Notable Quote:
"The one who has the very power of being in and of himself and eternally, to whom every one of us is absolutely dependent and should owe our everlasting gratitude for every breath of air that we take in this world, doesn't receive the honor and glory from His creatures that He so richly deserves." ([23:50])
Conclusion
In this enlightening episode, R.C. Sproul effectively delineates the incommunicable attributes of God, emphasizing His aseity, immutability, and infinity. By understanding these attributes, believers are called to a greater appreciation of God's unparalleled nature and are encouraged to respond with heartfelt devotion and worship.
B: Nathan W. Bingham closes the episode by inviting listeners to engage further with Sproul's 60-part foundational series on systematic theology, available through special edition DVD sets, digital access, and accompanying literature.
Final Thoughts
This episode serves as a crucial foundation for believers seeking to comprehend the depth and majesty of God's character. By distinguishing between what God shares with humanity and what sets Him apart, listeners are equipped to renew their minds and align their understanding with Scriptural truth.