Christian Di Lorenzo
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Number of posts : 91
Age : 28
Location : Fuquay Varina, NC
Humor : Impromptu
Registration date : 2009-11-04
 | | Subject: Definition #1 (Trinity) - Christian Di Lorenzo Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:12 am | |
| Explain the meaning and significance of the transcendence and immanence of God.
The sun. This fiery ball is one of the things our entire earth depends on. It feeds plants through photosynthesis, regulates the seasons, and effects days and nights along many other uses. Therefore it not only supports all, but also is involved in plants’ everyday lives. This illustration helps us to understand the relationship between God and His creation.
1. Thesis Statement
--------a. State question: Explain the meaning and significance of the transcendence or immanence (whichever is on the card) of God
--------b. Wayne Grudem put it well in his book Systematic Theology, “Creation is distinct from God yet always dependent on God” ROAD MAP!
2. Transcendence = God is above all
--------a. Isaiah 57:15 “For thus says the high and exalted One who lives forever, whose name is Holy, ‘I dwell on a high and holy place, And also with the contrite and lowly of spirit In order to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.’”
--------b. Psalm 108:5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth.
3. Immanence = Creation is near God since creation is dependant on Him.
--------a. God gives us life and breath
--------b. Colossians 1:17 “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”
--------c. Job 12:10 “In whose hand [is] the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.”
4. Significance
--------a. Transcendence
---------------- i. God is separate being that I can come to and bring concerns and cares to.
---------------- ii. God can and is worthy of praise and worship
--------b. Error: Pantheism
---------------- i. God is in everything in the world he isn’t a separate being that we can worship.
--------c. Immanence
---------------- i. God is in control of our lives and saves us.
---------------- ii. He also works in our everyday lives.
--------d. Error: Deism
---------------- i. God is transcendent yet not immanent – God isn’t involved in creation
---------------- ii. God created it, set it in motion, and then lay back to watch it run by itself.
---------------- iii. The only that we are saved by is ourselves since God isn’t involved in creation
5. Summary
--------a. Psalms 113:4-8 “The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens. Who is like the Lord our God, the One who sits enthroned on high, who stoops down to look on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes, with the princes of their people.”
--------b. Transcendence must be balanced by immanence
--------c. We not only can take our cares and concerns to Jesus, but since he is immanent he will take action on them.
--------d. Ephesians 4:6 – M “One God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. “
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