This document summarizes chapters 44 and 45 from a systematic theology textbook. Chapter 44 discusses God's mercy and wrath. It defines Hebrew and Greek words related to mercy and wrath, and lists characteristics of God's mercy such as it being unfailing, unchanging, and manifest in great compassion. It also states God's wrath flows from his holiness, righteousness, and jealousy. Chapter 45 discusses how contemplating God's attributes should change one's life as a servant to the Master.

1. CHAPTERS 44 AND 45CHAPTERS 44 AND 45
PPt prepared by
Mark E. Hardgrove, PhD

2. Systematic TheologySystematic Theology
Chapter 44Chapter 44
““God’s Mercy and Wrath”God’s Mercy and Wrath”

3. God’s MercyGod’s Mercy
Several characteristics are associated
with God’s mercy: It is unfailing,
unchanging, everlasting, and manifest in
great compassion.
~Geisler

4. Definitions
 Hebrew words associated with God’s
mercy
1. Kapporeth (from kopher) means “ransom,”
“propitiatory,” or “the mercy seat,” where
the blood of atonement was offered to God.
2. Racham means “to love,” “to have
compassion,” or “to show mercy.
3. Chesed means “goodness,” “kindness,”
“mercifulness,” or “loving-kindness.”

5. Definitions
 Greek word associated with God’s
mercy
1. Eleemon (from eleeo) means “to show
mercy,” “to pity,” “to have compassion,”
or “to be merciful.”

6. God’s Mercy Is . . .
 God’s mercy is rooted in His goodness and love
 God’s mercy is great
 God’s mercy is everlasting
 God’s mercy is faithful
 God’s mercy is essential
 God’s mercy is unfailing
 God’s mercy is longsuffering
 God’s mercy is received by the repentant
 God’s mercy was manifest on the Mercy Seat

7. God’s WrathGod’s Wrath
God is not only merciful to the repentant,
but He is also wrathful upon the
unrepentant. These actions are not
incompatible, since they are exercised on
different objects.
~Geisler

8. Definitions
 Hebrew words translated wrath
1. Charown means “burning anger,” “fury.”
2. Aph means “ire,” “wrath.”
3. Ebrah depicts outbursts of passion in
anger or rage.
4. Chemah literally means “heat” and
figuratively “anger”
5. Qetreph speaks of rage.

9. Definitions
 Greek word for wrath
1. Orge means “wrath” and carries the
meaning of “strong desire,” “violent
passion,” and “ire.” As applied to God,
wrath means His anger at and hatred of
sin, His righteous indignation at all evil,
and His jealous execution of judgment
on unrighteousness.

10. God’s Wrath Flows From . . .
 Wrath flows from God’s holiness
 Wrath flows from God’s
righteousness
 Wrath flows from God’s jealousy

11. Systematic TheologySystematic Theology
Chapter 45Chapter 45
““A Response to God’s Attributes”A Response to God’s Attributes”

12. God’s Attributes
Contemplating the Creator should change
the creature; meditating on the Master
should make a difference in the life of
the servant.
~Geisler