Curated by Justin Bailey
Why it matters: The question of why God doesn’t make Himself more evident is a crucial one for believers and skeptics alike. It raises questions about the nature of belief, faith, and the character of God in relation to humanity.
State of play:
Within Christianity, it's often asserted that God reveals Himself through nature, scripture, and personal experiences. Romans 1:20, for instance, states that God's invisible qualities and divine nature have been clearly perceived in the world. Additionally, the Bible describes God speaking directly to people, performing miracles, and ultimately, becoming incarnate in Jesus Christ.
Yes, but:
Despite these traditional assertions, many question why, if God truly desires a relationship with all humanity, His existence and desires aren’t more obvious. In a modern context where empirical evidence is highly valued, the perceived hiddenness of God can be puzzling and even a stumbling block to faith.
- Philosophical debate: This issue is a focal point in the philosophy of religion, often termed the "argument from divine hiddenness." Some philosophers argue that if God exists and wants to be known, His existence would be more evident to avoid unreasonable non-belief.
- Free will and faith: Others counter that too overt a revelation might infringe on human free will, making faith, a key component of many religious relationships, unnecessary or coerced.
What skeptics say:
Skeptics often argue that the hiddenness of God is indicative of His non-existence. They point out that if something exists, especially a being who desires recognition, evidence of its existence should be more convincing and universally accessible.
Between the lines:
The concept of divine hiddenness also touches on the personal and communal aspects of faith. It suggests that faith involves an element of trust and personal commitment beyond what is empirically verifiable. This aspect of religion emphasizes a relationship that’s not merely based on observable evidence but also on personal and communal encounters.
Zoom out:
The debate over God’s hiddenness spans across various theological and philosophical disciplines. It engages with fundamental questions about the nature of knowledge, belief, and relationship in a religious context.
The bottom line:
The question of why God doesn’t reveal Himself more clearly if He wants to be known remains one of the more challenging and profound queries within both theology and philosophy of religion. The resolution to this question often depends on one’s initial assumptions about the nature of faith, the character of God, and the role of human freedom in spiritual matters.
Follow Up Questions
What theological implications arise from the belief in divine hiddenness, especially in the context of a loving and omnipotent deity? (Coming Soon)
How have various Christian denominations historically interpreted the hiddenness of God in their doctrines and practices? (Coming Soon)
In what ways do personal experiences and testimonies play a role in understanding the concept of a hidden God? (Coming Soon)
How does the argument from divine hiddenness interact with the free will defense in theodicy? (Coming Soon)
What are the key philosophical objections to the idea that God’s hiddenness is compatible with His existence? (Coming Soon)
Can the lack of overt divine revelation be justified by the potential for coercion in human freedom and decision-making? (Coming Soon)
How does contemporary apologetics address the challenges posed by divine hiddenness to faith? (Coming Soon)
What are the implications of divine hiddenness for interfaith dialogue and understanding between different religious traditions? (Coming Soon)
How might one reconcile the experiential reality of divine hiddenness with the scriptural assertions of God’s manifest presence in the world? (Coming Soon)
Does the concept of divine hiddenness offer a unique way of understanding the nature of belief and skepticism in a modern scientific context? (Coming Soon)
Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai
All answers are curated and manually reviewed prior to being posted. Multiple language models are used to assist with verification.