The Aesthetic Nature of God

Document Type

Popular Press

Publication Date

7-1-2019

Abstract

Delving into the biblical aesthetic properly begins with a conception of God. The primary source for the Christian understanding of God is Scripture. Though God’s being is invisible to humans at present (Deut. 4:12, 15; 1 Tim. 1:17), Christians have long believed that He is there and is not silent. In fact, Christians have always maintained that God was vigorous in His attempts to reveal Himself through Scripture. Yet, the Bible was not written to prove God’s existence. One of the fundamental assumptions of all its many writers is that God is. Not one of them ever expresses any uncertainty regarding Him.

Instead, within the 66 books one finds numerous portrayals of God. For example, Christ invites believers to address Him as “‘“Father”’” (Matt. 6:9). This is also an Old Testament concept. So prays King David: “‘Blessed are You . . . , our Father, for ever and ever’” (1 Chron. 29:10, italics supplied).1 God also declares in the Old Testament: “‘A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is My honor. . .’ says the Lord of hosts” (Mal. 1:6, italics supplied).

Journal Title

Perspective Digest

Volume

24

Issue

3

First Department

Theology and Christian Philosophy

Acknowledgements

FAR Report 2020

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