noun
: the supreme or ultimate reality : the Deity variously conceived in theology, philosophy, and popular religion: as
a.
(1) : the holy, infinite, and eternal spiritual reality presented in the Bible as the creator, sustainer, judge, righteous sovereign, and redeemer of the universe who acts with power in history in carrying out his purpose
the Hebraic thought of God as the living sovereign Jehovah — O.C.Quick
God in Three Persons, blessed Trinity — Reginald Heber
(2) : the eternal, invisible, arbitrarily omnipotent Lord of the worlds and final judge of all men presented in the Koran as all-knowing, just, compassionate, merciful, and unchangeable
Allah hath said: Choose not two gods; there is only One God — Koran
b.
(1) : the unchangeably perfect Being that is the first and final cause of the universe
it is necessary that there should be as the first cause of the series of motions an unmoved mover or God — Frank Thilly
— compare deism
(2) : the whole of the universe in its unity
religion is not forced to choose … the pantheistic God of idealism — James Collins
— compare pantheism
(3) : reality opposed to appearance : absolute
Hegel claims that … religion is the self-consciousness of God … how the Absolute Spirit is conscious of itself in finite spirit — John Baillie
(4) : the creative, integrative, and redemptive process at work in the world that is the supremely worthful actuality of all existence and upon which all other forms of existence depend for life, meaning, freedom, purpose, value, and the realization of their highest destiny
we are invited to behold a growing universe and to discern at its heart … a finite growing God — T.B.Kilpatrick
(5) : the one ultimate infinite reality that is pure existence, consciousness, and bliss without distinctions (as of time and space)
God in Hinduism is not the creator of individual selves and other eternal entities — Satischandra Chatterjee
(6) Christian Science : infinite Mind : the incorporeal divine Principle ruling over all as eternal Spirit
God … the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence — Mary B. Eddy
c.
(1) : the Being supreme in power, wisdom, and goodness that men worship and to whom they pray
turn to God in time of trouble
(2) : the ideal or essence of what is best in human life
to them God became a symbol for the highest human aspirations and without reality apart from the minds of men — K.S.Latourette
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- for God's sake
- God forbid
- with God