The Doctrine of God in the Theology of Heinrich Emil Brunner: A Theological-Biblical Assessment
Desmond Tutu Osei-Acheampong 
Issue: Vol.7 No.4 2025 Article 1 pp. 79-89
DOI : https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2025741 | Published online 4th April, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Heinrich Emil Brunner’s doctrine of God has received a divergent view from biblical-theological scholars’ perspective. The doctrine of God has played a great significant and influential role throughout the era of Christian history, thus promoting the development and exploration of major theological doctrines in Christianity. The article therefore surveyed the canonical assessment of God’s doctrine in Brunner’s theology. It also sought to unlock Brunner’s hermeneutical method, contributors and opposers of his doctrine, and canonical approach in attaining salvific implications for contemporary Christians. The study employed a methodology of biblical-theological analysis to glean various literature materials. The findings revealed Brunner’s viewpoint that mankind can understand God through self-revelation. He opines that God possesses both communicable and uncommunicable tenets. Again, God is sovereign and supreme above all creatures in this world. In the light of this, God makes Himself known by His name. Thus, God as a Supreme Being, exhibits characteristic features of unknowable, innate, supernatural and He can be identified in His self-communication. God refers to Yahweh which depicts “I am that I am.” Thus, God is omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, immutable, honest, loving, and holy. Again, the doctrine of God unveils that God is infallible and hence He can assist human beings to live righteous life. The study concluded that the Lord is the creator, protector, and redeemer of humanity. The study unpacks that God’s salvific value could be realized through Jesus Christ. This study will be beneficial to biblical-theological historical students as it provides literature that will help advance and improve their studies.
Keywords: Doctrine of God, Theology of Emil Brunner, Canonical, Evaluation.
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Pastor Desmond Tutu Osei-Acheampong is a Seventh-day Adventist Minister in Ghana. In an academic spectrum, Pastor Osei-Acheampong is a part-time lecturer who teaches religious courses at Valley View University, Kumasi campus. Currently, he is pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in the area of Biblical and Theological Studies at the Adventist University of Africa, Kenya-Nairobi. Pastor Osei-Acheampong’s main field of expertise is Systematic Theology, the New Testament Cognate, with a keen academic concentration on the investigation of hamartiology, anthropology, Christology, pneumatology, ecclesiology, eschatology, and soteriology. More importantly, he has a solid unwavering commitment to faith and holistic education, enhancing his spiritual endeavors. Thus, the positive moral values have finally influenced positively biblical-theological, historical engagement with Seventh-day Adventists and the global academic landscape.
Osei-Acheampong, Desmond Tutu. “The Doctrine of God in the Theology of Heinrich Emil Brunner: A Theological-Biblical Assessment,” Journal of Mother-Tongue Biblical Hermeneutics and Theology 7, no.4 (2025):80-90. https://doi.org/10.38159/motbit.2025741
© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
