God's Character as the Foundation of Truth in Theology
The character of God serves as the ultimate foundation for truth in theology, influencing understanding of holiness, faithfulness, and justice [1, 4]. The Bible consistently presents God as the standard for these attributes, rather than offering arguments for His existence [2].
One of God's core attributes is truth itself. The "truth of God" is described as one of His inherent qualities, always preceding Him (Psalm 89:14) and enduring forever (Psalm 146:6) [4]. This truth is characterized as great, plenteous, and abundant (Psalm 57:10; 86:15; Exodus 34:6), and it is inviolable, meaning God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2) [4]. This divine truth is evident in God's ancient counsels (Isaiah 25:1), His ways (Revelation 15:3), His works (Psalm 33:4), His judicial statutes (Psalm 19:9), and His administration of justice (Psalm 96:13) [4]. His word is also truth (Psalm 119:160; John 17:17) [4].
God's faithfulness is another aspect of His character that underpins theological truth. He is described as keeping His covenant and showing mercy [12]. This faithfulness means He can be trusted to act for good, regardless of the cost to Himself (Psalm 89:1-2) [11]. The concept of "godly fear" is motivated by God's holiness, greatness, goodness, and forgiveness (Revelation 15:4; Deuteronomy 10:12, 17; 1 Samuel 12:24; Psalm 130:4) [3].
Holiness is also central to God's character and is presented as the standard for human conduct (Leviticus 19:2; 1 Peter 1:15-16; Ephesians 5:1) [1]. Believers are called to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7; 2 Timothy 1:9) and are elected to it (Romans 8:29; Ephesians 1:4) [1]. This reflects the divine nature, as God is holy (Revelation 3:7) [5].
The person of Jesus Christ further reveals God's character and truth. Christ is described as holy, righteous, good, faithful, and true (Luke 1:35; Isaiah 53:11; Matthew 19:16; Isaiah 11:5; John 1:14) [5]. He is the Son of God, and His sending by the Father to be the Savior of the world is a fundamental article of the Christian faith [7]. The mystery of godliness is great, in that God was revealed in the flesh through Christ (1 Timothy 3:16) [6]. This manifestation of God in Christ is upheld by the Church as the "pillar of the truth" [10]. Christ's character, being sinless and guileless (John 8:46; 1 Peter 2:22), serves as a standard for believers (Romans 8:29; 1 John 2:6; Philippians 2:5) [1].
The truth that resides in believers is not merely a collection of facts or doctrines, but the very presence of God (John 14:15-17) [9]. This truth is eternal and forms the basis for Christian love [9]. The foundation of God, which includes the faith of His elect, stands firm and cannot be overthrown by false teachings [8]. God's righteousness is a perfection of His nature, evident in His purposes, promises, and all His works of providence and grace [13].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fear, Godly — God is the object of -- Isa 8:13. God is the author of -- Jer 32:39,40. Searching the Scriptures gives the understanding of -- Pr 2:3-5. Described as Hatred of evil. -- Pr 8:13. Wisdom. -- Job 28:28; Ps 111:10. A treasure to saints. -- Pr 15:16; Isa 33:6. A fountain of life. -- Pr 14:27. Sanctifying. -- Ps 19:9. Filial and reverential. -- Heb 12:9,28. Commanded -- De 13:4; Ps 22:23; Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Motives to The holiness of God. -- Re 15:4. The greatness of God. -- De 10:12,17. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The forgiveness of God. -- Ps 130:4.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Truth of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- De 32:4; Isa 65:16. Always goes before his face -- Ps 89:14. He keeps, for ever -- Ps 146:6. Described as Great. -- Ps 57:10. Plenteous. -- Ps 86:15. Abundant. -- Ex 34:6. Inviolable. -- Nu 23:19; Tit 1:2. Reaching to the clouds. -- Ps 57:10. Enduring to all generations. -- Ps 100:5. United with mercy in redemption -- Ps 85:10. Exhibited in his Counsels of old. -- Isa 25:1. Ways. -- Re 15:3. Works. -- Ps 33:4; 11:7; Da 4:37. Judicial statutes. -- Ps 19:9. Administration of justice. -- Ps 96:13. Word. -- Ps 119:160; Joh ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ, Character Of — Altogether lovely -- Song 5:16. Holy -- Lu 1:35; Ac 4:27; Re 3:7. Righteous -- Isa 53:11; Heb 1:9. Good -- Mt 19:16. Faithful -- Isa 11:5; 1Th 5:24. True -- Joh 1:14; 7:18; 1Jo 5:20. Just -- Zec 9:9; Joh 5:30; Ac 22:14. Guileless -- Isa 53:9; 1Pe 2:22. Sinless -- Joh 8:46; 2Co 5:21. Spotless -- 1Pe 1:19. Innocent -- Mt 27:4. Harmless -- Heb 7:26. Resisting temptation -- Mt 4:1-10. Obedient to God the Father -- Ps 40:8; Joh 4:34; 15:10. Zealous -- Lu 2:49; Joh 2:17; 8:29. Meek -- Isa 53:7; Zec 9:9; Mt 11:29. Lowly in heart -- Mt 11:29. Merciful ”
- 1 Timothy “Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory. -- 1 Timothy 3:16”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 4:14: Since faith in Christ works love to God, and love to God must kindle love to the brethren, the apostle here confirms the prime article of the Christian faith as the foundation of such love. Here, I. He proclaims the fundamental article of the Christian religion, which is so representative of the love of God: And we have seen, and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world, Jo1 4:14. We here see, 1. The Lord Jesus's relation to God; he is Son to the Father, such a Son as no one else is, and so as to be God with the Father. 2. His relati”
- 2 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Timothy 2:19: Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth sure,.... That faith, which is the faith of God's elect, is of the operation of God, and is the gift of his grace, and of which Christ is the author and finisher, is firm and immovable as a foundation; it is solid and substantial; it is the substance of things hoped for; and it is permanent and abiding; it stands sure, being supported by the power of God, and prevalent mediation of Jesus Christ; and so cannot be overthrown by false teachers, when an historical faith, or the faith of temporary believers may: or the doctri”
- 2 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 John 1:2: 1:2 Christian love is rooted in knowing the truth. The truth that lives in us is more than just facts or doctrine; it is the presence of God (see John 14:15-17), who will be with us forever.”
- 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 3:16: And--following up Ti1 3:15 : The pillar of the truth is the Church in which thou art required to minister; "AND (that thou mayest know how grand is that truth which the Church so upholds) confessedly (so the Greek for 'without controversy') great is the mystery of godliness: (namely), HE WHO (so the oldest manuscripts and versions read for 'God') was manifested in (the) flesh (He who) was justified in the Spirit," &c. There is set before us the whole dignity of Christ's person. If He were not essentially superhuman (Tit 2:13), how could the apostle ”
- Micah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Micah 7:18: 7:18-20 These verses provide a fine brief summary of Old Testament theology. God is unique; there is no one and nothing else like him. Because of his unfailing love (Hebrew khesed), he does not destroy his people whom he judges but instead restores them (see Exod 36:6-7). His faithfulness means that he can be trusted to do good regardless of the cost to himself (see Ps 89:1-2). • Where is another God like you: This question probably plays off of Micah’s name (“Who is like the Lord?”). God’s character is unequaled among the gods of the nations. His actions and words”
- Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 9:4: Keeping the covenant - Fidelity and truth are characteristics of God. He had never yet broken his engagements to his followers, and was ever showing mercy to men.”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 17:24: O righteous Father,.... God is righteous in all the divine persons: the Father is righteous, the Son is righteous, and the Holy Spirit is righteous: he is so in his nature; righteousness is a perfection of it; he is so in all his purposes and promises; in all his ways and works of providence and grace; in predestination, redemption, justification, pardon of sin, and eternal glory. Christ makes use of this epithet, as containing a reason why he might justly expect that all his petitions and claims, on behalf of himself and people, would be regarded: the world hath not”