Video The Five O's - Understanding God's Nature

[Lori Jane]

The Five O's - Understanding God's Nature | Jesus Way Podcast Clips

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Description

In this clip from the Jesus Way Podcast, Aaron Abke and James Benefico break down the Ontology of Jesus. How did the historical man, Yeshua the Nazarene, understand the nature of God? Aaron breaks down Ontology into "The 5 O's", the 5 immutable principles of God's eternal nature which scripture reflects beautifully. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our first episode of the Jesus Way Podcast.

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• Ontology shapes Christian beliefs by focusing on the essential, unchanging nature of God. Recognizing God's immutable qualities helps clarify theological understandings and practices, ensuring that believers' understanding aligns with fundamental truths about God's existence.
• The video discusses five key characteristics of God: omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing), omnipresence (present everywhere), omnibenevolence (all-loving), and oneness (the singular nature of God). Each of these attributes contributes to a richer understanding of God's nature and how it affects believers' lives.
• Omnibenevolence suggests that God is infinitely loving and compassionate, negating the need for harmful acts like sacrifices. It presents God as a being who does not require anything from us to forgive or love.
• The two doctrines referenced are the idea of repentance for the remission of sins and the concept of animal sacrifice for atonement. The discussion questions how both can coexist without contradiction.
• Traditional views often depict hell as a place of eternal punishment, which raises moral questions about justice and mercy. If God is fundamentally loving, many argue that His nature would not allow for such suffering without the possibility of redemption, leading to a more compassionate interpretation of divine consequences.
• Suffering is viewed as having a redemptive purpose, serving to awaken individuals to their true potential and guiding them towards repentance. Rather than being seen as wholly negative, suffering is considered a necessary part of personal and spiritual growth in a universe governed by a loving God.
• The shadow analogy illustrates that while shadows are illusions created by external factors, non-duality emphasizes the ultimate truth of God, which is unchanging and not an illusion. This analogy demonstrates the distinction between the ever-changing aspects of reality and the static nature of divine truth.
• The three characteristics of Oneness are: (1) Unchanging, affirming God’s constant nature; (2) Self-sufficient, meaning God exists independently without reliance on external sources; and (3) Eternal, indicating that God transcends time and does not undergo change. These characteristics emphasize the singular and indivisible nature of God.

The Five O's - Understanding God's Nature | Jesus Way Podcast Clips​

The Role of Ontology in Understanding God 00:01​

"Christianity probably goes the most wrong by allowing their theology to inform their ontology."

• The speaker emphasizes that Christianity can falter when theology—what is believed about God—overshadow ontology, which is the philosophical study of being and existence. This segment sets the foundation for comprehending the ontology of God as crucial to understanding Christian teachings.
• Ontology focuses on the immutable, unchanging nature of God, which is presented as the starting and finishing point for all theological considerations. Understanding God's ontological nature shapes various beliefs and practices within Christianity.

Defining Ontology and Epistemology 00:47​

"Epistemology is the segment of philosophy that studies how to arrive at knowledge."

• The speaker introduces epistemology as another philosophical discipline that deals with the methods for acquiring knowledge. Proper epistemology allows individuals to understand God more clearly, and the speaker notes that when people use sound epistemological principles, they consistently arrive at similar conclusions about God's nature.
• When discussing the nature of God, believers often converge on essential qualities such as omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence, which are seen as fundamental aspects that many people, regardless of belief, can agree upon.

The Five "O's" of God's Ontology 02:50​

"These are the five qualities of God's nature: omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, omnibenevolent, and one."

• The five essential characteristics of God that are explored include omnipotence (all-powerful), omniscience (all-knowing), omnipresence (present everywhere), omnibenevolence (all-loving), and oneness (the idea of God being singular). These attributes form the basis for deeper theological reflection and understanding.
• The speaker suggests that meditating on these qualities can lead to peace and fulfillment, particularly during challenging times, by recognizing God's unwavering presence and love.

Biblical References to God's Nature 03:49​

"With God, all things are possible."

• The speaker supports the discussion of God's qualities by referencing Scripture. For instance, Jeremiah 32:17 illustrates God’s omnipotence, while Matthew 19:26 reflects on the infinite possibilities available with God. These biblical passages are used to reinforce the beliefs surrounding God's nature.
• The concept of omniscience is illustrated with Psalm 139, emphasizing God's deep understanding of individual hearts and lives, reassuring believers that God comprehends their struggles better than they do.

Conclusion and Implications of Ontology 08:24​

"Once we understand ontology well, then we unlock another dimension of understanding which is cosmology."

• The speaker indicates that understanding God’s ontology informs a broader view of cosmology, or the nature of the universe. This knowledge leads to realizing that the universe operates under divine laws that must be obeyed, shaping moral and ethical frameworks in the lives of believers.
• The discussion wraps around how trusting in the omniscience and omnipotence of God positions believers to live in alignment with divine truths and encourages a transformative journey, much like the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens' story, demonstrating the power of God's love and guidance in changing hearts.

The Nature of God and Atonement 10:11​

"Does God need a goat to be slaughtered to forgive someone's sins, or can God just forgive that person whenever He wants?"

• The discussion explores the two competing doctrines of atonement mentioned in the Bible: one based on repentance for the remission of sins and another rooted in animal sacrifice. The premise is laid that both doctrines cannot coexist, as one implies the need for a sacrifice while the other emphasizes forgiveness solely through repentance.
• The question posed is insightful: if an individual possesses a repentant heart and seeks to turn towards God, what is the need for sacrifice? This challenges the notion of a vengeful deity requiring bloodshed for forgiveness and instead suggests an understanding of God's infinite love and compassion.
• It encourages the audience to reflect on what it means for God to be omnibenevolent, emphasizing that an all-powerful and all-knowing deity should not have needs that involve harm or suffering. The speaker critiques the idea of God requiring blood to satisfy some cosmic demand, labeling it a "satanic doctrine."

Understanding Omnibenevolence 12:30​

"God possesses everything, so what does God need from you?"

• The concept of omnibenevolence is presented as foundational to understanding God's nature. Since God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and omnipresent, the argument follows that there is no fundamental need for Him to cause any harm or suffering. This presents a loving and compassionate image of God rather than one requiring sacrifices.
• Passages from 1 John emphasize that love is intrinsic to knowing God, suggesting that moving away from love results in alienation from divine understanding. This is framed within the context of Jesus’ teachings of love and forgiveness, encapsulating the essence of the gospel as revolutionary yet straightforward.
• The discussion stresses the importance of daily practice in love and forgiveness, indicating that such actions increase our alignment with the nature of God and contribute to personal spiritual growth.

The Call to Forgive and Emulate God 19:10​

"Strive to enter through the narrow way; following my teachings isn't going to be easy."

• The notion of striving towards love and forgiveness portrays a pathway filled with challenges, yet necessary for personal transformation and a relationship with God. The term "strive" speaks to the continuous effort required in living out these teachings.
• Jesus' teachings call for profound transformations, suggesting that to know God, one must embrace love, forgiveness, and non-judgment, emphasizing the rejection of ego-centered narratives.
• The speaker reinforces that God’s nature is unchangingly loving and merciful, leading to the conclusion that any teachings contradicting peace cannot stem from God. This insight urges listeners to reflect on the importance of embodying the values that align with divine love in their lives.

God's Nature and Love 20:10​

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

• This verse from Lamentations 3:22 emphasizes the eternal and renewing nature of God's love and mercy. It reassures believers that God’s compassion is unfailing and fresh with each new day. The concept challenges traditional interpretations of eternal punishment, suggesting that rather than an everlasting hell, there is a path to redemption for all souls.

"God’s love and mercy and compassion never end and are new every morning."

• The argument is made that if God is truly loving, He would not subject individuals to perpetual torment for temporary actions taken during their human lives. This analogy compares such a punishment to unfair and excessive responses in human parenting. A just and loving God would inherently offer opportunities for redemption rather than eternal damnation.

Misconceptions About Hell and God's Justice 21:50​

"If God is just, how could he punish someone for eternity for a very small human lifetime of sin?"

• The speaker critiques the belief in an eternal hell, asserting that it conflicts with the notion of divine justice. If God's love endures forever, as reiterated in Psalm 100:5, it raises questions about the compatibility of hell as a place of everlasting torment. The speaker advocates for a view of God that is merciful and redemptive instead.

"God's love endures forever means God would never allow his children to be tortured forever."

• The idea is posited that God, being omnibenevolent, would seek to redeem every lost soul rather than give up on them. The analogy used describes a father’s love, who, upon losing a child, would go to great lengths to find and protect them, emphasizing the depths of parental love that mirror God’s nature.

The Nature of Suffering in God's Universe 24:50​

"In God's Universe, all suffering serves a redemptive purpose; all suffering leads us to repentance."

• The belief articulated here is that suffering is a necessary part of spiritual growth and awakening. The speaker asserts that while suffering exists, it is never meaningless in the context of God’s plan. This perspective aligns with the idea that through trials and tribulations, individuals are shaped and guided toward realizing their divine purpose and truth.

"The idea that somebody could be in Hell forever suffering would be the greatest affront to God's glory."

• This stance disputes the concept of eternal damnation by suggesting it would illustrate a limitation of God's power to redeem rather than his omnipotent nature. The continuity of God's love reinforces the doubt surrounding the existence of a punitive and eternal hell, painting a picture of a loving God who strives to bring all souls back to Him.

God’s Immutability and Light 28:30​

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

• This quote from James 1:17 illustrates the consistency of God's goodness, highlighting that He does not change or vary like shadows do. The speaker draws parallels between philosophical concepts of illusion, suggesting that while evil may seem to exist, it is ultimately not a permanent reality given the unwavering presence of divine goodness.

"God is light in whom there is no darkness at all."

• This statement reinforces the idea that God embodies pure goodness and love, further supporting the claim that the existence of hell as an eternal place of torment contradicts the nature of an all-good deity. The notion of God being immutable assures believers that His love and compassion will always remain constant and available.

James's Understanding of Non-Duality 29:39​

The fact that James uses the shadow analogy shows he understands the non-duality being pointed out here.

• The video discusses how James employs the shadow analogy to illustrate his understanding of non-duality, emphasizing that a shadow is but an illusion. This comparison highlights the distinction between everyday illusions and the immutable truth of God, which is portrayed as pure reality devoid of any illusion.

Oneness in God's Nature 30:10​

Oneness is the idea that God is indivisible; there can't be two of God.

• Oneness is presented as a fundamental characteristic derived from epistemology, where God is recognized as all-powerful, all-knowing, all-present, and the ultimate source of goodness. The discussion highlights that since God cannot be divided, it follows that God is unified and singular, implying that the very nature of God is one and cannot change or split.

Characteristics of Oneness: Unchanging, Self-Sufficient, Eternal 31:06​

The first characteristic of Oneness is unchanging; what is one cannot change because it's always one.

• The video delves into three distinct characteristics of Oneness. Firstly, it is unchanging, affirming that God remains constant, similar to the declaration in Malachi 3:6: "I the Lord do not change." Secondly, Oneness is self-sufficient, meaning that it does not rely on external factors for its existence, unlike a shadow, which depends on different sources to appear. Lastly, Oneness is eternal, indicating that God exists beyond the constraints of time and is not subject to change.

Theological Implications of God's Oneness 33:05​

The Lord our God is one.

• The concept of God's unity is reinforced by biblical references, solidifying the idea that if God is one, there cannot be competing powers or entities. This perspective challenges traditional views of spiritual beings, suggesting that evil arises from human ego rather than a separate, malevolent divine entity.

The Devil as Human Ego 34:03​

The devil is a personification for the human ego; it's the voice in my head that tempts me to stray from God's truth.

• The discussion shifts to understanding the devil not as an external force but as a representation of the human ego. This interpretation posits that the temptations individuals face are rooted in their minds, where the lack of understanding of God allows negative ideation to flourish. The video challenges conventional narratives about the devil, urging viewers to see the struggle against sin as an internal battle rather than an external one.