The Classification of the Attributes of God 神屬性的分類

Introduction 前言

“The heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19:1)

「諸天述說神的榮耀。」（詩篇19:1）

“This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and manifested His glory.” (John 2:11)

「這是耶穌所行的頭一件神蹟，是在加利利的迦拿行的，顯出祂的榮耀來。」（約翰福音2:11）

Before studying the specific attributes of God, theologians often first classify what kind of attributes they are.

在學習神具體的屬性之前，神學家通常會先分類這些屬性是屬於什麼樣的性質。

1. Absolute Attributes 絕對性屬性

Absolute attributes describe what God is in Himself.

Absolute（絕對性）屬性，是描述神「在祂自己裡面」是怎樣的神。

These attributes do not depend on the universe or on human beings.

這些屬性不依賴宇宙，也不依賴人類而存在。

They are intrinsic and intransitive attributes because they do not require an external object.

它們是 intrinsic（內在性）與 intransitive（非作用性／非對象性）的屬性，因為它們不需要外部對象。

For example, God is self-existent, infinite, immutable, perfect, and united in His being.

例如：神是自有永有（self-existent）、無限（infinite）、不改變（immutable）、完全（perfect）、合一（unity）的。

Even if the universe had never been created, God would still possess these attributes.

即使宇宙從未被創造，神仍然擁有這些屬性。

2. Immanent Attributes 內在性屬性

Immanent attributes describe qualities that dwell in God Himself.

Immanent（內在性）屬性，是描述那些內住於神自己裡面的特質。

They are inherent in Him and belong to His own being.

這些屬性是 inherent in Him（內在於祂裡面的），屬於祂自己的本性。

They are not added to God from outside.

這些屬性不是從外面加到神身上的。

In this sense, immanent means “indwelling in Him” or “the willing in Him.”

在這個意思上，immanent 是指「內住於祂裡面（indwelling in Him）」或「存在於祂裡面的本性與意志（the willing in Him）」。

These attributes are also intrinsic and intransitive because they exist in God Himself before any relationship with creation.

這些屬性同樣屬於 intrinsic 與 intransitive，因為它們在任何與受造界的關係存在之前，就已經存在於神自己裡面。

3. Relative Attributes 關聯性屬性

Relative attributes emphasize relationship.

Relative（關聯性）屬性，強調的是「關係」。

These attributes are understood in relation to creation.

這些屬性是在與受造界的關係中被理解的。

For example, God’s omnipresence, omniscience, and omnipotence are revealed in relation to the universe He created and sustains.

例如：神的無所不在（omnipresence）、全知（omniscience）、全能（omnipotence），都是在祂所創造並維持的宇宙中被顯明出來。

Relative attributes focus on God’s relationship to His creation.

Relative 屬性強調的是神與受造界之間的關聯。

4. Transitive Attributes 作用性屬性

Transitive attributes require an object.

Transitive（作用性）屬性，需要一個對象。

God’s love needs someone to love.

神的愛，需要有被愛的對象。

God’s mercy needs someone to receive mercy.

神的憐憫，需要有接受憐憫的對象。

God’s justice needs someone to judge.

神的公義，需要有被審判的對象。

These attributes move outward from God toward His creation.

這些屬性是從神向外作用到祂的受造界。

Transitive attributes focus on God’s actions toward objects or creation.

Transitive 屬性強調的是神向對象或受造界所發出的作用。

Conclusion 結論

God does not need the universe in order to exist.

神並不需要宇宙才能存在。

Yet through creation, humanity is able to see and understand His glory, love, wisdom, justice, and mercy.

然而，透過創造，人類才能看見並理解祂的榮耀、愛、智慧、公義與憐憫。

Without God’s relative and transitive attributes, we would not be able to know Him personally.

若沒有神的 relative 與 transitive 屬性，我們就無法真正認識祂。

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)

「隱祕的事是屬耶和華我們神的。」（申命記29:29）