So you're looking for a solid attributes of God list? I remember when I first dug into this topic years ago. I found these dry theological documents that left me more confused than before. Why do some lists have 20 attributes while others list 50? Let's cut through the confusion together and create a practical reference you can actually use.
What Exactly Are God's Attributes?
Think of attributes as God's permanent character traits - the core parts of His nature that never change. When I taught Sunday school last year, a teenager asked me point-blank: "If God loves everyone, why does bad stuff happen?" That question made me realize we need to understand all His attributes, not just the comfortable ones.
Attributes aren't random qualities but interconnected aspects of His being. Miss one, and you get an imbalanced view. I've noticed churches sometimes overemphasize love while neglecting holiness - that causes real problems in how people relate to God.
Why Bother Listing Them?
Creating an attributes of God list serves three practical purposes:
- Corrects misconceptions (like thinking God is "angry in the Old Testament but nice in the New Testament")
- Deepens prayer life (praying to an all-powerful God differs from praying to a limited one)
- Helps during crises (knowing God is sovereign comforted me when my sister had cancer)
I used to struggle with the justice vs. mercy tension until I realized they're not opposites. A judge who pardons every criminal isn't merciful - he's unjust. A judge who only punishes lacks mercy. God perfectly balances both.
The Essential Attribute Categories
Most theologians split attributes into two buckets. Honestly, I resisted this classification at first - it seemed too academic. But seeing how they interact changed my mind.
Attributes Only God Has (Incommunicable)
These are the deal-breakers. If we tried to claim these, we'd be playing God. Literally.
| Attribute | What It Means | Bible Reference | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aseity | God exists independently of anything else | John 5:26 | He doesn't need us - He chooses to love us |
| Immutability | God never changes in His nature | Malachi 3:6 | His promises won't expire tomorrow |
| Omnipotence | All-powerful without limitations | Jeremiah 32:27 | No situation is beyond His control |
| Omnipresence | Present everywhere at once | Psalm 139:7-10 | You're never abandoned in your pain |
| Omniscience | Knows all things perfectly | Isaiah 46:10 | He understands what you can't explain |
The first time I grasped omnipresence, it messed with my head. God isn't "spread thin" like butter on toast - He's fully present everywhere simultaneously. That means when millions pray at once, He hears each personally.
Attributes We Can Share (Communicable)
These are qualities God develops in us. Though we'll never match His perfection, we grow in reflecting them.
Moral Attributes
- Holiness - Moral perfection
- Righteousness - Always does what's right
- Justice - Fairness in judgment
- Goodness - Benevolent intentions
Relational Attributes
- Love - Self-giving nature
- Mercy - Withholding deserved punishment
- Grace - Giving undeserved favor
- Patience - Longsuffering with rebellion
Here's where things get practical. If God is patient, I must be patient with annoying coworkers. If He shows grace, I can't hold grudges. This attributes of God list becomes a mirror exposing my shortcomings.
Mercy and grace confuse many people. Mercy is not getting fired after messing up a project. Grace is your boss giving you a promotion despite that mistake. God does both constantly.
The Top 5 Most Misunderstood Divine Attributes
After years of leading Bible studies, I see recurring confusion around these:
| Attribute | Common Misunderstanding | Reality Check |
|---|---|---|
| Sovereignty | "God controls everything like a puppet master" | He governs all things while preserving human free will |
| Wrath | "God loses His temper like humans do" | His wrath is settled opposition to evil, not emotional outbursts |
| Impassibility | "God doesn't care about our pain" | He doesn't suffer from events but fully participates in our suffering |
| Eternality | "God exists inside time forever" | He created time and exists outside its constraints |
| Self-sufficiency | "God doesn't want relationship" | He needs nothing but desires relationship intensely |
That impassibility debate? It kept me up nights. Ancient theologians emphasized God's transcendence so much they nearly made Him indifferent. But Scripture shows Jesus weeping at Lazarus' tomb. God feels deeply without being controlled by emotions.
Practical Applications For Your Life
What good is an attributes of God list if it stays theoretical? Try these exercises:
Prayer Reset
Pick one attribute each week. If focusing on God's faithfulness, recall His past faithfulness before making requests. When dwelling on His holiness, start with confession.
Decision-Making Framework
When stuck between choices, ask:
- Which option aligns with God's justice?
- Does this reflect His wisdom?
- How might eternal perspective change this?
I used this when deciding whether to forgive someone who betrayed me. God's mercy didn't erase His justice, but it showed me forgiveness didn't mean approving their actions.
Worship Enhancer
Instead of generic praise, thank God specifically:
- "I worship You for Your unfailing love shown when ________"
- "Your sovereignty comforts me about ________"
Free Resource Alert: Top 3 Books That Get Attributes Right
Skip the dry theology textbooks. These make attributes come alive:
| Book Title | Author | Key Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Knowledge of the Holy | A.W. Tozer | Accessible depth | Beginners wanting wonder |
| None Like Him | Jen Wilkin | Practical application | Women seeking relevance |
| The Attributes of God | Arthur Pink | Bible-saturated insights | Deep study enthusiasts |
Jen Wilkin's book transformed how I view daily struggles. She shows how understanding God's infinite nature frees us from playing God in others' lives. Powerful stuff.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many attributes does God actually have?
Lists vary because attributes overlap. God's love connects to mercy, grace, and patience. Better to grasp core categories than count them. Most lists identify 15-20 major attributes.
Why do some attributes seem contradictory?
They only appear contradictory to finite minds. Think of light being both particle and wave simultaneously. God's justice and mercy meet perfectly at the cross.
What's the most neglected attribute today?
Holiness. We prefer comfortable God-as-friend imagery. But Isaiah saw God's holiness first (Isaiah 6), causing repentance. Skipping this creates shallow faith.
Can we experience all God's attributes personally?
Yes, but differently than He possesses them. We reflect His love imperfectly; He is love. We grow in patience; He is eternally patient.
How often should I study this attributes of God list?
Monthly refreshers help. Attributes form God's "identity fingerprint" - the more familiar you are, the easier to spot counterfeits in culture or false teachings.
Advanced Attribute Combinations
Attributes interact beautifully. For example:
- Omniscience + Sovereignty = Nothing surprises God or derails His plans
- Justice + Mercy = Sin receives due penalty (through Christ) while sinners receive pardon
- Eternality + Omnipresence = God is equally present to Moses and to you right now
This interconnectedness makes studying an attributes of God list so rewarding. Each attribute modifies how we understand the others. God's love isn't sentimental - it's holy love. His wrath isn't capricious - it's just wrath.
During my darkest depression, three attributes became lifelines: Omnipresence (He was in the darkness with me), Sovereignty (this wasn't random chaos), and Faithfulness (He wouldn't abandon me). Lists become life rafts when storms hit.
Historical Perspectives Worth Considering
Ancient creeds emphasize different facets than modern lists. Notice the shifts:
| Period | Emphasis | Sample Attribute Focus | Modern Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Church | Transcendence | Immutability, Aseity | Counters "God evolves" ideas |
| Reformation | Sovereignty | Providence, Predestination | Assurance in chaotic times |
| Revival Era | Personal Experience | Love, Mercy | Balances academic knowledge |
Modern lists often lack the Reformation's weighty sovereignty focus. We need that anchor when the world seems spinning out of control. John Calvin's writings on providence sustained persecuted Huguenots - and can steady us today.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
I've made these mistakes so you don't have to:
- Cherry-picking attributes - Avoiding "scary" ones like wrath creates a lopsided God
- Academic detachment - Studying without worship leads to pride ("I know more than you")
- Ignoring context - God revealed certain attributes more clearly at different times (e.g., holiness in Leviticus, grace in Gospels)
- Forgetting Jesus - All attributes find perfect expression in Christ (Hebrews 1:3)
My seminary professor warned: "Wrong views of God become idol factories." We remake Him in our preferred image if we edit His attributes. A balanced attributes of God list guards against this.
Your Next Step With This Attributes of God List
Don't just read this - interact with it:
- Circle 1-2 attributes you struggle to believe
- Research just those in Scripture (use concordance or Bible app)
- Journal how seeing this truth changes your prayers
- Share your discovery with a friend this week
When I started this journey, I thought attributes were academic exercises. Now I see them as the bedrock of trusting God when life shatters. Because when you know who He truly is, you can face anything.
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