Eternal, personal, omnipotent Creator; knowable through Christ and Scripture
Non-denominational evangelical churches affirm the classical attributes of God: he is eternal, self-existent, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, perfectly holy, perfectly loving, and perfectly just. He is not an impersonal force but a personal being who creates, sustains, communicates, and redeems. He is knowable through the revelation of Jesus Christ and through Scripture.
The relational nature of God is particularly emphasized in non-denominational evangelical culture. Preaching, worship music, and pastoral language typically stress the personal availability of God to individual believers — phrases like 'God loves you personally,' 'God has a plan for your life,' and 'you can know God' are hallmarks of non-denominational evangelical spirituality. This relational emphasis is balanced (to varying degrees) with affirmations of God's holiness, sovereignty, and justice.
Views on divine sovereignty and providence vary between more Calvinist non-denominational churches (emphasizing God's meticulous control of all events) and more Arminian or 'open' churches (emphasizing God's responsiveness to human prayer and choice). Both streams affirm God's personal nature, his love, and his ultimate authority over creation.
Key Distinctions
- Theism type:
- classical monotheism — one God, infinite, eternal, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent
- Primary divine attribute:
- love and holiness (biblical); divine simplicity affirmed (God is what he has)
Scripture References
Sources
- National Association of Evangelicals Statement of Faith; representative local church statements