Incommunicable Attributes

This episode begins a series on the attributes of God by distinguishing between incommunicable attributes, which belong to God alone, and communicable attributes, which He shares with humanity. The focus is on God’s self-existence (aseity) and immutability. God alone is a self-existent being whose existence is grounded in His own nature, not dependent on anything else. Both philosophical reasoning and Scripture affirm the necessity of an uncaused cause, revealed in creation ex nihilo and in God’s self-disclosure as “I AM.” The episode then explores God’s noncontingent continued existence through Paul’s address in Athens, showing that God is independent and self-sufficient, yet actively sustains and governs all life. This understanding counters both pantheism and the idea of a distant, impersonal deity. Building on this foundation, the discussion turns to immutability. Because God is self-existent, He does not change in His essence, attributes, or will. His character, purposes, and promises remain constant. Finally, the incarnation of Christ is addressed, affirming that Christ’s assumption of human nature does not alter the divine nature. God’s self-existence ultimately grounds His unchanging faithfulness and trustworthiness. This episode, and indeed this entire series, draws heavily on and is informed by major theological resources, including Wayne Grudem's seminal work, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Please note that the views expressed in this episode are those of the podcast creators and may not represent the views of the theological resources, including those cited.