Trinitarian monotheism; God of love and peace; personal relationship possible
The Church of the Brethren affirm that God is the one true God existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God is understood as personal, loving, and actively involved in creation and history.
The divine attributes of love and peace are particularly emphasized in Church of the Brethren theology. God is characterized by agape (selfless, redemptive love) and by commitment to justice and peace. These attributes motivate God's redemptive action in history and call the church to mirror divine love in its own witness.
God's personal nature means that genuine relationship with God is possible. Prayer is real conversation; God hears and responds. The denomination emphasizes that God desires relationship with humanity and that believers can know God personally through Christ and the Spirit.
Key Distinctions
- Primary divine attribute:
- God is personal; relationship with God is genuine and possible
Scripture References
Sources
- Church of the Brethren Church Manual and confessional materials
- CoB theological literature and hymnals
- Christian theological tradition affirmed by the denomination