The Numbers Argument (Part 2)

GOD is a triune personal spirit who, as to essence,is infinite, eternal, & unchangeable, & whose attributes are: being (GOD is autotheos; God is a se), wisdom, power, justice, holiness, goodness, & truth.

(g) Deut 4:15-19; Luke 24:39; John 1:18; John 4:24; Acts 17:29

(h) 1 Kgs 8:27; Ps 139:7-10; Ps 145:3; Ps 147:5; Jer 23:24; Rom 11:33-36

(i) Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; Ps 102:12,24-27; Rev 1:4,8

(k) Ps 33:11; Mal 3:6; Heb 1:12; Heb 6:17-18; Heb 13:8; Jas 1:17

(l) Exod 3:14; Ps 115:2-3; 1 Tim 1:17; 1 Tim 6:15-16

(m) Ps 104:24; Rom 11:33-34; Heb 4:13; 1 John 3:20

(n) Gen 17:1; Ps 62:11; Jer 32:17; Matt 19:26; Rev 1:8

(o) Hab 1:13; 1 Pet 1:15-16; 1 John 3:3,5; Rev 15:4

(p) Gen 18:25; Exod 34:6-7; Deut 32:4; Ps 96:13; Rom 3:5,26

(q) Ps 103:5; Ps 107:8; Matt 19:17; Rom 2:4

(r) Exod 34:6; Deut 32:4; Ps 86:15; Ps 117:2; Heb 6:18

This is how the Numbers Argument & the Westminster Shorter Catechism’s answer to the question “What is God?” go together as an application of Romans 1:18 - 32 with respect to how to properly & sufficiently warrant theology, philosophy, & ethics. 

As to essence:

• Numbers exist independently of the human mind. 
• Every integer is unique (aseity) 
• Each number exists both independently & perichoretically
• No two integers (numbers) express the exact same numerical value at the same time in the same way. 
• Every number is infinitely compossible by an infinite set of previous integer (by addition) & via substraction of all subsequent numbers one from the other before it (ie 5 - 2 ‎ = 3 & 1 + 2 also = 3)
• The intervening set of integers between 1, 2, 3 are required in order for those 3 numbers to exist.  
• This intervening set of integers between 1, 2, & 3 make these 3 integers inescapably perichoretic.  Each & every number “contains” the integers preceding it, so the properties of any two neighboring integers overlap. 
• Numbers & math constitute an infinite, immutable system. 
• Numerical units, equations, formulae, etc. can be arranged in orderly fashion & expressed in words.   They can communicate via deployment as ciphers for whole ideas, like musical notes.   They also require a mind in which to inhere. Consequently, they exemplify the personal nature of God.  

As to Attributes: 

• We use numbers to count, manage, & make wise (or stupid) decisions. 
• We look at numbers as authoritative & binding to the conscience.   2 + 2 always = 4.    This is an authoritative truth that reminds us of God’s power & authority. 
• As to justice, we use numbers as a means to balance weights & measures & calculate value in cases of injury, assault, theft, wrongful death, resource allocation, & much more. 
• As to holiness, numbers are pure & absolute.
• As to goodness, we use them to measure reward as well as reparation, which serves us in the process of reconciliation. 
• As to truth , the value of a number follows the law of intentity. 

Objection:  Aren’t you using the created order as a proper, sufficient epistemic warrant for your beliefs about God’s essence & attributes. 

Answer: No, & here’s why….

First, the Bible teaches us who God is & what God is like.  My beliefs about God’s essence & authority come from the Bible correctly exegeted, exposited, understood, & applied.

Romans 1:18 - 32 teaches us that the created order testifies to God’s existence, invisible attributes, & authority. 

Matter & energy are physical phenomena that have a peculiar essence & attributes just like it teaches we have peculiar essence & attributes. 

For example, we are the finite, ephemeral, & mutable as essence, thus our attributes although similar to the LORD’s but not the same.  For example, we share his moral attributes, but God has no physical attributes, & with respect our moral & physical attributes, their essence is finite, ephemeral, & mutable whereas God’s essence is infinite, eternal, & unchangeable.

Matter & energy are measurable & mathematically discernible physical phenomena.  Math & numbers, underwrite structure. 

That said, math & numbers are not part of the created order.  They do not inhere in crested minds. They inhere in God’s mind, & God is not part of the created order.   

My reasoning process looks to the created order for ideas about what God might & might not be like, which is only forbidden as a matter of sufficiently warranting theology, philosophy, & ethics.   

In other words, what Romans 1:18 - 32 forbids is the use of the created order to sufficiently warrant theology, philosophy, & ethics.  It does not forbid us from interrogating it  the created for information about what God might or might not be like.  

Thank you, may God bless us all each & everyone, & “Go & sin no more.”