The question "Who is God?" has been a central concern for humanity across various cultures and epochs. But what is “God”? In its simplest form, the term "God" refers to a supreme being or ultimate reality that transcends human understanding and is often associated with the creation and governance of the universe. In the Bible, God's identity unfolds through a series of narratives, commandments, and prophecies, revealing a complex and multi-faceted character. In Judaism, the understanding of God is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh) and elaborated upon through rabbinic literature and philosophical writings. Christianity builds upon the Judaic conception of God, introducing the doctrine of the Trinity, which presents God as one essence in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. But let's break things down and see what the biblical teachings have to say about the nature of God.
Table of Contents
A Biblical Perspective On The Identity of God
The Old Testament Perspective
The opening chapters of Genesis provide foundational insights into the nature of God. God is portrayed as the omnipotent Creator who brings the universe into existence through His word.
Genesis 1 depicts a transcendent God who creates the world in an orderly fashion, declaring the goodness of creation.
In relationship to creation and humans, God is depicted as a being with great love for his chosen people. With Abraham, God establishes a covenant promising land, descendants, and blessings (Genesis 12, 15, 17). This covenant highlights God's faithfulness and commitment to a chosen people. We also have the Mosaic covenant at Sinai (Exodus 19-24), which reveals God as a lawgiver who establishes a binding agreement with Israel, characterized by commandments and rituals.
On the other hand, David's covenant (2 Samuel 7) emphasizes God's promise of a perpetual dynasty, underscoring themes of kingship and messianic hope. These covenants reflect God's desire for a relationship with humanity and His unfolding plan for salvation, whether through love or direct commands.
Another window into the identity of God is through the prophets. Such figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel emphasize God's holiness, justice, and mercy. Isaiah portrays God as the Holy One of Israel who demands righteousness and offers redemption (Isaiah 6, 53).
Jeremiah highlights God's covenant faithfulness despite Israel's unfaithfulness, offering hope for a new covenant (Jeremiah 31). Ezekiel's visions convey God's sovereignty and the promise of restoration (Ezekiel 36-37). Overall, the prophetic literature underscores God's desire for justice, mercy, and a restored relationship with His people.
The New Testament Perspective
In the New Testament, Jesus provides a distinct and intimate portrayal of God, often referring to Him as "Father." This relationship emphasizes God's personal and loving nature (e.g., the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9). Jesus Himself is presented as the incarnate Son of God, revealing God's nature through His teachings, miracles, and sacrificial death (John 1:14, 3:16).
The Holy Spirit is then introduced as God's active presence in the world, guiding, empowering, and sanctifying believers (John 14:26, Acts 2). This triune depiction moves away from the singular perspective of the Old Testament and highlights God's dynamic nature in Christian theology.
After Jesus' death, the apostles expanded on his teachings, offering theological reflections on God's nature and work. Paul emphasizes God's grace, righteousness, and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8, Ephesians 2). He also developed the doctrine of justification by faith and the idea of believers as the body of Christ.
Peter highlights God's holiness, calling Christians to live holy lives (1 Peter 1:15-16). John emphasizes God's love, particularly in the context of Jesus' sacrificial death, and the importance of love among believers (1 John 4:7-12). These teachings provide a rich understanding of God's character and His expectations for the Christian community.
The New Testament lays the groundwork for the doctrine of the Trinity, which becomes a central tenet of Christian theology. This doctrine holds that God is one essence in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The baptismal formula in Matthew 28:19 ("in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit") and the Pauline benediction in 2 Corinthians 13:14 reflect this triune understanding.
The Trinity emphasizes the unity and diversity within God's nature, highlighting the relational aspects of the divine. It addresses the complexity and characteristics of God's self-revelation in Scripture and offers a framework for understanding God's interactions with the world.
Judaic Perspectives on God From Classical To Modern
Classical Jewish Thought
The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4 ("Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one"), is the central declaration of Jewish monotheism. It emphasizes God's absolute unity and singularity, rejecting any form of polytheism or dualism.
This proclamation forms the foundation of Jewish faith and practice, asserting that God is unique, indivisible, and unparalleled. The Shema is recited daily in Jewish prayers, reinforcing the belief in God's oneness and the commitment to His commandments.
Of course, over the course of history, rabbinic literature elaborates on the biblical portrayal and attributes of God through extensive commentary. Jewish thought traditionally describes God with various attributes that reflect His character and relationship with the world. Justice (Tzedek) is a central attribute, as God is seen as the ultimate judge who upholds righteousness and fairness. Mercy (Rachamim) also complements justice, portraying God as compassionate and forgiving.
This balance is evident in the High Holy Days liturgy, which emphasizes both God's judgment and His readiness to forgive repentant sinners. Omnipotence (all-powerfulness) is another key attribute, highlighting God's supreme power and authority over all creation. Together, these attributes present a dynamic and multifaceted picture of God in Jewish thought.
Medieval Jewish Perspective
These traditional views on the nature of God are sometimes challenged by great thinkers. One of them was Moses Maimonides (1138-1204), one of the most influential Jewish philosophers. He advocated for a form of negative theology (apophatic theology) in which God is described by what He is not, rather than by positive attributes.
In his seminal work, “The Guide for the Perplexed," Maimonides argues that human language and concepts are inadequate to fully describe God's essence. Instead, we can only understand God through negations, such as saying that God is not corporeal or not subject to time. This approach aims to preserve the transcendence and incomprehensibility of God while avoiding anthropomorphic depictions.
Kabbalistic thought, which also emerged in this period, offers a more esoteric and mystical understanding of God. Central to Kabbalah is the concept of Ein Sof (the Infinite), representing the unknowable and boundless aspect of God. From Ein Sof emanate the Sephirot, ten attributes or emanations through which God interacts with the world.
These include aspects like wisdom (Chokhmah), understanding (Binah), and kindness (Chesed). The Sephirot is often depicted in a tree-like diagram (the Tree of Life), illustrating the dynamic and interconnected nature of God's presence in creation.
Modern Jewish Thought
The Enlightenment, or Haskalah, brought significant changes to Jewish thought, encouraging a more rational and critical approach to theology. Enlightenment thinkers like Moses Mendelssohn advocated for the harmonization of Jewish tradition with modern philosophy and science. This period saw a shift towards a more ethical and less mystical understanding of God, emphasizing reason, morality, and the ethical teachings of the Torah.
Some modern theologians, like Abraham Joshua Heschel, emphasize the relational and experiential aspects of God, focusing on the divine-human encounter and the sense of wonder and awe in religious life. Others, like Mordecai Kaplan, founder of Reconstructionist Judaism, view God more as a process or power within the natural world rather than a supernatural being.
Christian Perspectives on God From the Early Church Fathers To Modern-Day
Source: Photo by Paul Zoetemeijer on Unsplash
The main element that defined the nature of God in early Christianity was the doctrine of the Trinity, which defines God as three persons (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit). The early church was also engaged in Christological debates concerning the nature of Jesus Christ and His relationship to God the Father. These debates led to several ecumenical councils, which aimed to clarify and unify Christian doctrine. At that time, the nature of Jesus, whether he was fully divine or fully human, overshadowed most discussions centered around the nature of God.
In the Middle Ages, that changed. Scholasticism was a dominant intellectual movement in medieval Christian theology that sought to reconcile faith with reason. Thomas Aquinas, in his Summa Theologica, used Aristotelian philosophy to argue that God is the "unmoved mover" and the "first cause," underpinning all existence. Aquinas described God as omnipotent, omniscient, and perfectly good. His Five Ways provided logical arguments for God's existence, demonstrating that natural reason could lead to knowledge of God's nature.
On the other side of empirical knowledge and reason, the mystics in the medieval period emphasized direct, experiential knowledge of God, often through contemplation and prayer. Augustine of Hippo, an early Christian mystic, wrote extensively about his spiritual experiences and the nature of God in works like Confessions and The City of God. He depicted God as the ultimate source of truth and love. He emphasized the intimate and personal relationship one can have with God, who is both transcendent and immanent.
In modern times, however, liberal theology, influenced by Enlightenment thought, seeks to reinterpret traditional doctrines in light of modern knowledge and sensibilities. Friedrich Schleiermacher, known as the father of modern liberal theology, emphasized the feeling of absolute dependence on God as the essence of religious experience. He viewed God as the grounding of all beings and consciousness.
Bottom Line
While each of us may reflect on the nature of God and our own relationship to Him, there is no clear answer to the question that sits at the center of this article. The exploration of the question "Who is God?" within the contexts of Judaism and Christianity reveals both profound commonalities and significant differences.
Biblical texts, especially the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament, form the bedrock of theological reflection in both religions, providing a shared heritage and a foundation for ongoing dialogue. The New Testament introduces new dimensions to the Christian understanding of God, particularly through the life and teachings of Jesus. As both traditions continue to reflect on their understanding of God, they offer rich resources for us to address our interpretation of this truth.
FAQ
Who is God?
God is the supreme being and ultimate reality in many religious traditions, including Judaism and Christianity. In these faiths, God is understood as the creator and sustainer of the universe, possessing attributes such as omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, and perfect goodness.
How Old is God?
In both Judaic and Christian beliefs, God is eternal and exists outside of time. God has no beginning or end, transcending the concept of age as understood in human terms. The eternal nature of God is a fundamental attribute, signifying that God always was and always will be.
What Are the Attributes of God?
God's attributes, as described in the Bible, Judaism, and Christianity, include omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence, holiness, justice, mercy, love, and immutability.
Where Did God Come From?
According to Jewish and Christian beliefs, God did not come from anywhere because He is self-existent and eternal. God is the uncaused cause, meaning He was not created by anything else and has always existed. This concept underscores God's unique nature as fundamentally different from created beings and the universe.
Who is Jehovah?
"Jehovah" is a Latinized form of the Tetragrammaton "YHWH" (Yahweh), the personal name of God revealed to Moses in the Old Testament. While there is no real evidence that the Tetragrammaton is pronounced as “Jehovah,” it is said that when one knows the name of God and pronounces it, God will make Himself present fully.
Who is God in the Bible?
In the Bible, God is depicted as the omnipotent creator and sustainer of all things. In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself through various names and actions, establishing covenants with figures like Abraham, Moses, and David. He is described as holy, just, merciful, and loving.
In the New Testament, God is further revealed as the Trinity: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ), and the Holy Spirit. Jesus Christ is seen as the incarnation of God, bringing salvation to humanity through His life, death, and resurrection.
