The distance between our knowledge of God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture and God’s perfect knowledge of Himself is astronomical, incalculable, and immeasurable. However, I would argue this insurmountable gap should not be misconstrued to mean we have no idea what He is like. My argument will be based on the nature of communication, God’s condescension in revealing Himself, the veracity of Scripture, and our being made in the image of God.
A word picture can help define my thoughts on this. It is as if God has given us the alphabet and basic grammatical principles to reveal the what and why of communication. Now, His ability to communicate and the depth therein are unfathomable compared to the alphabet and basic grammar. Yet, one can understand the basic principles that guide all communication and the overall nature of communication through these simple means. The kindergartener and the professional motivational speaker have this in common: they both use the same basic principles and agreed-upon letters to communicate. Similarly, God can be known through special revelation because He has condescended down to our level of communication to describe Himself to us.
A great example of this condescension that allows us to understand God but escapes the fullness of God’s knowledge of Himself would be anthropomorphism. God is spirit and is the Creator. In His kindness, He allows Himself to be described in human-like terms in order for us to understand the underlying principles therein. An example would be in Psalm 91:4, “He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” God has no wings or pinions and is not a shield or buckler. So, do we not know God at all? Of course, we do! He is simply using these words so our finite minds can grasp the picture of His loving protection. The principle is God will protect and save those who trust in Him.
The little we are able to know of God is all true. God cannot lie. So, every word of Scripture that defines God, His nature, His name, and His character must all be true. Not only that, the Scriptures themselves are infallible and inerrant (cf. 2 Tim. 3:16-17; 2 Pet. 1:21). So it would be impossible for our inability to understand the depth of God to be so low and inadequate that He would have to reveal Himself in ways that are not principally true. The Scriptures cannot be broken; thus, they must contain a true representation of God.
Another area that helps with this understanding is our being made in the image of God. While human beings are both finite and tainted by sin, we still reflect the nature of God in His creation. Since emotions cannot be said to fully come from the fall, they must, at least in part, properly represent God. God declares He is angry throughout the Scriptures. As we see the application of this anger throughout the Bible, it becomes apparent this is not hyperbole or metaphorical but is rather practical in its nature. God is angry with the wicked every day. This anger is shown in judgment, supporting the validity of this emotion as reality. God’s description of Himself is not simply revealing a way we can better understand Him that is not true; it is revealing Him as He actually is.
In conclusion, God knows Himself infinitely more than we can or will ever understand since He is the Creator and we are the creatures. God’s revelation of Himself is essentially true. Although there is a grand canyon of distance between God’s understanding of Himself and His revelation of Himself, we can still know our Creator as He truly is. Because of God’s nature, the nature of Scripture, humanity being made in the image of God, and God’s anthropomorphic language, we can be sure, without a doubt, that we know God truly as He knows Himself and as we know Him. The gap in depth of understanding does not negate the veracity of our simplistic understanding of our Sovereign King. Rest in our Almighty God, who surpasses all understanding!
May God bless your week as you seek His kingdom first!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
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