Who Is God?

Kinnaman, Scot A. & Laura L. Lane (eds.) Lutheranism 101. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2010.
“Who Is God?” Chapter 1

In this chapter we see that God is one God but exists in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. While we are able to describe God we are not able to explain all aspects of his character. We know God exists because of creation. The complexity and interrelated nature of the universe is too intricate to come about by accident. We also find that there is no other adequate explanation for morality, love, or altruism.

God has revealed himself not only in nature but through the written word in Scripture, where he presents himself as one God who exists all at the same time in three persons. The word “trinity,” though it doesn’t appear in Scripture, is described in the Bible. It really means a threefold unity. We see this in Jesus’ baptism narratives, where all three persons of the Godhead appear. We also see in Matthew 28:19 Jesus commands baptism in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

If this seems too complicated to be true, we simply need to remember that God is different from the rest of his creation. While we may try to provide a definition of God that essentially says what we are not, the Bible would give us a definition of God as the creator of everything else, but himself not created. Looking at God as the sovereign, wise, and good creator who exists in three persons does not provide us with an exhaustive explanation. But it does give us plenty to be working with.

What about a biblical view of humanity? We see in the Bible that we are created by God as creatures who depend on God. Our merciful and gracious creator has given us what we need, including some glimpses of his grace. Our role in all this is to realize that we are part of creation, we are not God. We are recipients of his blessing.