The Incomprehensibility of God

The Incomprehensibility of Godby Randy Bushey, December 28, 2016

The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).

Theologians talk about the Incomprehensibility of God.

It sounds complicated – and maybe you’re thinking it’s something belonging to a dry seminary lecture from a disheveled professor – you know the one: ill-fitting jacket with neck-tie knotted too tightly?

But, it really is practical and foundational to authentic Christian thinking and living.

Essentially the doctrine says this:


  1. God is unknowable by anyone,


  2. except to the degree, and in the manner, He chooses to reveal Himself.
In other words, if He chose not to disclose anything of His existence, Person or character, we wouldn’t know Him.

At all.

Without Him revealing Himself to us, He would be totally incomprehensible.

But the great news of the Gospel, is that God has chosen to reveal Himself:


  • in nature (The heavens declare the glory of God;the skies proclaim the work of His hands – Psalm 19:1).


  • in the Bible (I remember,Lord, your ancient law and I find comfort in them…I have promised to obey your words. I have sought your face with all my heart...You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees - Psalm 119:52,57,58,68).


  • and, ultimately in Christ (He is the image of the invisible God – Colossians 1:15).
The late American theologian Carl Henry observed, “God loved us so much that He forfeited His own personal privacy to reveal Himself to sinful creatures that we might know Him.”

That is the Gospel.

That is the glory of the mysterious Incarnation.

That is eternal doctrinal truth: the Incomprehensibility of God.

Takeaway: in this new year, might our understanding of the Person and work of the Tri-une God be more closely and accurately aligned with the precise truth of Who He is, as disclosed in His self-revelation.

~photo credit Cristiano Galbiati, freeimages.com

About Us

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. - Galatians 3:28 The community at Bethel includes a wide range of ages and backgrounds. Young and old, families and singles, English-speakers and those with a French mother-tongue, various ethnic and religious backgrounds. We reflect the make up of the city of North Bay. More importantly though, we are a group of people who Jesus has saved through his work on the cross. By God's plan of redemption we were all brought into one family as brothers and sisters in Christ, given a mission to reach into our world and make disciples for Him. We hope you will find at Bethel a friendly, loving group of people striving to live for Jesus Christ. Whether you are visiting for the day or trying to find a permanent church home, you are welcome to join us as we together seek out Him.

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