Understanding God's Good and Holy Purposes in Theology
Understanding God's Good and Holy Purposes in Theology
The concept of God's good and holy purposes is deeply rooted in biblical teachings and has been a subject of theological exploration throughout Christian history. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, God's goodness is "a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations" [1]. This understanding is supported by various biblical passages, including Psalm 145:8-9 and 1 John 4:8.
The biblical anchor for understanding God's purposes lies in the doctrine of election, where it is stated that believers are chosen "according to the purpose of God" (Ephesians 1:11) [2]. This election is not arbitrary but is rooted in God's sovereign will and foreknowledge (Romans 8:29; 9:11). The purposes of God are multifaceted, encompassing not only the salvation of humanity but also the manifestation of His wisdom and glory through the church (Ephesians 3:10) [8].
In theological articulation, God's goodness is often described in relation to His other attributes, such as justice, mercy, and love. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights that God's loving-kindness is "great," "excellent," and "everlasting" [4]. This loving-kindness is manifested through Christ and is a fundamental aspect of God's character (Ephesians 2:7; Titus 3:4-6) [5]. The love of God is sovereign, great, and unalienable, demonstrated towards sinners, saints, and the destitute alike [5].
Different Christian traditions interpret and emphasize various aspects of God's purposes. For instance, the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill, emphasizes the sovereignty of God in election and the manifestation of His wisdom through the church [9]. In contrast, other traditions may focus on the relational aspect of God's goodness, highlighting His love and mercy towards humanity.
The historical development of the doctrine of God's purposes can be traced through various theological writings. The early church fathers and subsequent theologians have grappled with understanding God's sovereignty and human responsibility. The Reformation period saw a significant sharpening of this doctrine, particularly in the writings of Reformed theologians.
A common confusion regarding God's purposes is the conflation of His sovereignty with determinism, potentially leading to a neglect of human agency. However, the biblical text maintains a balance between God's sovereignty and human responsibility, as seen in passages that exhort believers to "walk worthily of the Lord" and to "please him in all respects" (Colossians 1:10) [7].
The biblical wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, underscores the importance of understanding God's purposes in the context of human behavior and morality. It is through a good understanding of divine and spiritual things that one gains favor with God and man (Proverbs 3:4) [6]. Moreover, the fear of the Lord is considered a foundational aspect of wisdom, emphasizing the reverence and awe due to God's holy purposes [3].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Goodness of God — A perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Ps. 145:8, 9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. "Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Election — Of Christ, as Messiah -- Isa 42:1; 1Pe 2:6. Of good angels -- 1Ti 5:21. Of Israel -- De 7:6; Isa 45:5. Of ministers -- Lu 6:13; Ac 9:15. Of churches -- 1Pe 5:13. Of saints, is Of God. -- 1Th 1:4; Tit 1:1. By Christ. -- Joh 13:18; 15:16. In Christ. -- Eph 1:4. Personal. -- Mt 20:16; Joh 6:44; Ac 22:14; 2Jo 1:13. According to the purpose of God. -- Ro 9:11; Eph 1:11. According to the foreknowledge of God. -- Ro 8:29; 1Pe 1:2. Eternal. -- Eph 1:4. Sovereign. -- Ro 9:15,16; 1Co 1:27; Eph 1:11. Irrespective of merit. -- Ro 9:11. Of grace. -- Ro 11:5. Recorded i”
- 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: Loving-Kindness of God, The — Is through Christ -- Eph 2:7; Tit 3:4-6. Described as Great. -- Ne 9:17. Excellent. -- Ps 36:7. Good. -- Ps 69:16. Marvellous. -- Ps 17:7; 31:21. Multitudinous. -- Isa 63:7. Everlasting. -- Isa 54:8. Merciful. -- Ps 117:2. Better than life. -- Ps 63:3. Consideration of the dealings of God gives a knowledge of -- Ps 107:43. Saints Betrothed in. -- Ho 2:19. Drawn by. -- Jer 31:3. Preserved by. -- Ps 40:11. Quickened after. -- Ps 119:88. Comforted by. -- Ps 119:76. Look for mercy through. -- Ps 51:1. Receive mercy through. -- Isa 54:8. Are ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- Proverbs “Proverbs 3:4 (Geneva1599) — So shalt thou finde fauour and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man.”
- Colossians “that you may walk worthily of the Lord, to please him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; -- Colossians 1:10”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:10 (BSB) — His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:10: To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places,.... By whom are meant, not civil magistrates, much less evil angels, but the good angels, the angels in heaven; See Gill on Eph 1:21. might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God; not the perfection of wisdom, nor Jesus Christ the wisdom of God, nor the holy Scriptures; but the Gospel, which is the pure produce of the wisdom of God; which is gloriously displayed in the several doctrines of it; as in election, in choosing men in Christ for the security of their persons, in fou”