Session One: Who is God?

Learning objectives

 To know what sets Christianity apart from two other monotheistic religions in their view of
God
 To know God as the Omnipotent Originator
 To know that God is the power and authority over what He has created

What is the Merriam webster definition of God?

A Supreme Being that is perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped in various
monotheistic religions such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Monotheistic can be broken
down into two words ‘mono’, which means one, and ‘theism’ which means belief. Therefore, all
three religions believe that there is only one God.

Do all three Monotheistic religions believe in the same God?

1. No, because they differ in their views in the oneness of God. Both Jews and Muslims
emphasise God’s singular separation and argue against the Christian’s belief in God’s
tripartite nature. Tripartite literally means three distinct ‘Supreme Beings’ who share in the
same title and nature as God. These ‘Supreme Beings’ are known as God the Father, God the
Son and God the Holy Spirit (this will be developed further in later sessions).
2. No, because both Jews and Muslims believe that God had no body and no offspring. On the
other hand, Christians believe that God has a Son called Jesus Christ who was God in human
flesh (this will be covered in detail in session 3)

What is a Hebrew language definition of God?

Another name for God in Hebrew is ‘Elohim’. The suffix ‘im’ makes ‘Elohim’ a plural word and is the
word translated as ‘God’ in Genesis 1:1. This means that all three separate ‘Supreme beings’ that
make up One God who created everything we see and know today. Therefore, God is plural in a
qualitative sense rather than quantitative. The word ‘quantitative’ signifies the number of something
whilst ‘qualitative’ implies the degree of excellence of that one thing, hence why there’s more of a
focus on the detail of who God is.

Where is God first mentioned in the bible?

Genesis 1:1 – In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

The phrase ‘God created’ supports the view that God is the Omnipotent Originator, but what does
this mean? This phrase can be broken down into three words, ‘omni’ which means all, ‘potens’
meaning powerful, so omnipotent means all powerful. Genesis 1:1 shows us that for God to create
the heavens and the earth, then He must be all powerful. Especially because for something to be
‘created’ it must first be non-existent, and therefore this means that before God created the
heavens and the earth, there was nothing.

Omnipotent Originator can also be broken into a third word called ‘origin’. This word means ‘the
beginning or cause of something’. So, another way to define God is as the beginning of everything
that exists in this world and the universe. Genesis 1:1-26 then goes on to describe everything that
exists because of God such as the sky, seas, trees, seasons, living creatures in the sea, on and above
the earth. Lastly, in Genesis 1:27 God created humans (this will be covered in detail in Session 2).

How does Genesis 1:1 show that God is a Supreme Being?

This verse first introduces us to the first character in this story of the bible, God. Genesis 1:1 also
shows us that no one else is mentioned before God, so no one comes before God. This supports the
meaning of ‘supreme’, that God is the highest in rank or authority. This can be likened to the lion,
which is the animal at the top of the food chain and mainly known as the king of the jungle. The
benefit to the lion having this position is that the lion has no predator, so no other animal below
them can hunt to kill them. Why is the lion the highest in rank? Because the lion is the strongest
animal in the jungle.

What is a Hebrew language definition of God?

In Hebrew, letters can be replaced with pictures called pictographs. Also, the word ‘God’ can be
translated as ‘El’. ‘El’ can be replaced with two distinct pictures: the ox (E) and the staff (L).

What does an ox represent?

Ancient Hebrew people mainly use oxen and sheep for agricultural activities. Oxen are known to be
the strongest animals used in agriculture. Usually, ancient Hebrew people place two oxen on the
field with a staff (also known as a yoke) on their shoulders. One of the oxen usually has the chiefly or
fatherly position of the oxen family and as the older and more experienced oxen their duty is to
teach the younger and inexperienced oxen how to plough the field and pull large loads in wagons.

The older and more experienced ox can represent God who is the Head of the family we as
Christians are now in. Christians can be compared to the younger and inexperienced ox that requires
the teaching and leading of the older ox (this will be covered in more detail in session 2). Therefore,
the ‘older oxen’ indicates that God is the ‘strong leader’ and His role as Father and teacher (this will
also be covered in session 2 and 3). God’s role as father or chief of the family links back to Him being
the highest in rank or authority – God is ‘Supreme’.

What does the staff represent?

A staff is a long stick with a hook at the end of it and was always carried by a shepherd in leading the
sheep, either by pulling or pushing them in the right direction, as well as fighting off predators. The
staff represented a shepherd’s authority as leader of the flock.
How has the picture of the ox and staff changed over time?

Back then, chiefs and kings usually wore a horn of bull on their heads and carried a staff in their
hands but nowadays Kings wear a crown on their heads and sceptres are carried instead. This
emphasises God as King and a King rules over a Kingdom. God also rules over a Kingdom which isn’t
of this world (this will be covered further in session 3) as well as everything that He has created.

How does Genesis 1:2-3 reveal God as power?

Genesis 1:2-3 – The earth was without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And
the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light” and
there was light.

One way to understand these two verses is to think about your mobile phone. A mobile phone has a
button which functions in turning your phone on and off. This button is called the Power Button,
God is this button. When you turn off a mobile phone the screen goes dark and relates to the
condition of the earth before God said, “Let there be light”. When God said these four words that is
when there was light, which is similar to using the Power Button to turn on a mobile phone. This
clearly shows God as Power.