LOVE RE-EXAMINED – Attributes of God

If "God is love”, 1 John 4:16, and love can be re-examined,

can’t “God” be re-examined?

Our idea of God in trinity includes:

Father Creator, the Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

The names of God in the Old and New Testaments are set forth in “Wonderful Names of Our Wonderful Lord” (2002).

A short, well-known list of such names is in the song, “For Unto Us A Child Is Born,” from Handel’s Messiah. The list is from Isaiah 9:6

“Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

After the Messiah, other songs kept coming to my mind suggesting a lyrical answer to the question, may the concept of “God” be re-examined?

Some more recent songs naming God follow...

“We Three Kings of Orient Are” - Hymnal #128

That song links the Wise Men’s three gifts to:

Roles of God: gold (King), incense (God), and myrrh (Sacrifice).

Another song, “Here I am, Lord”, Hymnal Supplement #812, shows

three ways that God may “call” us: God as Lord of sea and sky… as Lord of snow and rain… and as Lord of wind and flame….

Still another song “You are Holy” - or “Prince of Peace” - which occasionally appears in our Sunday bulletins attributed to Michael Smith, could win a prize for its many names of God: Lord of Lords… King of Kings… Mighty God… Emmanuel… Prince of Peace… Lamb… Living God… Saving Grace… Ancient of Days… Alpha and Omega… Beginning and End… Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, and Friend….

Background, and some questions… In all three “synoptic” gospels, Jesus tells His disciples of His coming suffering and death in Jerusalem. Then He asks them some questions: “Who do people say that I am? Who do you say that I am?”

So, Reader, which of all these names of God do you like the best? Are there other names for God that you prefer?