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

**These are my study notes from Bro. G’s Thursday class, prepared for my personal study and sharing.

這是我整理自 Bro. G 週四課堂的學習筆記，作為個人研讀與分享之用。

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 / Immanent Attributes 絕對性／內在性屬性

Absolute (or Immanent) attributes describe what God is in Himself.

Absolute（絕對性）或 Immanent（內在性）屬性，是描述神「在祂自己裡面」是怎樣的神。

These attributes exist inherently within God Himself and do not depend on the universe or on human beings.

這些屬性本來就內在於神自己裡面，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。

Immanent emphasizes that these qualities dwell inherently within God Himself.

Immanent 這個詞特別強調：這些特質是內住於神自己裡面的。

Absolute emphasizes that God possesses these attributes independently of creation.

Absolute 則特別強調：神擁有這些屬性並不依賴受造界。

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. 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。

3. 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）