Orthodox Forge

Christian Dogma

What are the characteristics of God?

Q158 · Faith in God and Our Knowledge of Him

The Holy Bible contains some names of God that positively describe what He is like, so that we may delight in His characteristics working within us. It also contains other names of

351 St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures 9.1 (NPNF II/7:51) amended.
352 St. Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor 1.8.71 (FOTC 23:63).

God that negatively describe what He is not, that we may beware of falling into a destructive negativism.

On the positive side He is called Good, Holy, Light, Life, etc. On the negative side He is called Undying, Infinite, Unapproachable. And yet, we will see Him face to face, not as He is in essence, but insofar as the weakness of our limited nature can bear, etc. So, we are able to know Him and exult in Him eternally. We can know that He is great, but we cannot comprehend the extent of His greatness. We perceive His eternal presence, but can we ever understand it?