------------------------------------------------------- **Cross Reference**: #theology, #Christian_identity, #Gods_grace, #divine_attributes, #revelation, #Christian_knowledge ## [[God’s Knowability]]: Understanding How We Can Know [[God]] ### Can We Know [[God]]? The question of whether [[humans]] can truly know [[God]] has been asked by theologians, philosophers, and believers throughout history. The doctrine of [[God’s Knowability]] addresses this by explaining **how** and **to what extent** [[humans]] can understand and know [[God]]. The answer is both **yes** and **no**: we can **know [[God]]**, but we can never **fully comprehend** Him. Our knowledge of [[God]] is always **partial** and **imperfect**, but it is still **real** and **meaningful**. In this post, we’ll explore the **nature** of **knowing [[God]]**, the **limits** to our knowledge, and the **importance** of knowing **[[God’s character]]** through **[[His revelation]]**. ### [[God’s Revelation]]: He Has Made Himself Known ([2 Corinthians 4:6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4.6&version=AMP)) > “For [[God]], who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of [[God]] in the face of [[Jesus Christ]].” > — [2 Corinthians 4:6](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+4.6&version=AMP) The **[[Bible]]** teaches that [[God]] is not a **distant**, **unknown** deity. He has **revealed Himself** in **[[creation]]**, **[[Scripture]]**, and most clearly through **[[Jesus Christ]]**. **2 Corinthians 4:6** explains that [[God]] has **shone His light** into our **hearts**, so we can see the **glory of [[God]]** in the **face of [[Jesus]]**. This means that **[[God’s ultimate purpose]]** is for us to **know Him**. - **[[God’s Revelation]] in [[Creation]]**: [Romans 1:19](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1.19&version=AMP) tells us that **[[God’s existence]]** and **divine attributes** are **clearly seen** in the **world around us**. When we see the **beauty of nature**, the **complexity** of the **universe**, and the **order** in **[[creation]]**, we are looking at **evidence** of **[[God’s power]]** and **[[wisdom]]**. - **[[God’s Revelation]] in [[His Word]]**: The **[[Bible]]** is [[God’s special revelation]], where He tells us **about Himself**, [[His character]], and His plan for **[[Humanity]]**. Through the **[[Scriptures]]**, we learn about [[God’s Holiness]], **[[mercy]]**, **[[justice]]**, and **[[love]]**. - **[[God’s Revelation]] in [[Jesus Christ]]**: The **fullness** of [[God’s character]] is revealed in [[Jesus]]. As [John 14:7](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+14.7&version=AMP) states, “If you had known me, you would have known my [[Father]] also.” To **know [[Christ]]** is to **know [[God]]**. ### The Limits of Our Knowledge: We Know [[God]], But Only in Part ([1 Corinthians 13:12](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13.12&version=AMP)) > “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” > — [1 Corinthians 13:12](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13.12&version=AMP) While [[God]] has made Himself **knowable**, our **knowledge** of Him is **limited**. **1 Corinthians 13:12** explains that our **understanding** is like looking at a **reflection** in a **dim mirror**—we **see**, but not **clearly**. This is because of two key reasons: - **[[God’s Nature]]**: [[God]] is **infinite**, **eternal**, and **all-powerful**. Our **[[human]] minds** are **finite** and **limited**. No matter how much we know, we will never **exhaust** the **depth** of **[[God’s being]]**. This is why [Isaiah 55:8](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+55.8&version=AMP) says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” - **The Effects of [[Sin]]**: Our **understanding** of **[[God]]** is further **distorted** by **[[Sin]]**. As [Ephesians 4:17](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4.17&version=AMP) explains, our **minds** have been **darkened** by **[[Sin]]**. Even though **[[Jesus Christ]]** has **restored** our **relationship** with **[[God]]**, we still experience the **effects** of a **fallen world**. ### Knowing [[God]] Through [[Creation]] and [[Reason]] ([Romans 1:18–21](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1.18-21&version=AMP)) > “For what can be known about [[God]] is plain to them, because [[God]] has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” > — [Romans 1:19](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+1.19&version=AMP) One way we come to **know [[God]]** is through **[[reason]]** and **[[creation]]**. This is often called **[[Natural Revelation]]**. **Romans 1:19–20** tells us that **[[nature]]** is like a **signpost** pointing to [[God’s invisible attributes]]. - **The Role of [[Reason]]**: By using **[[reason]]**, we can see that the **universe** must have a **cause** and that this **cause** must be a **powerful**, **wise**, and **good** **[[Creator]]**. This is why many theologians use **philosophical arguments** like the **[[cosmological argument]]** (everything that begins to exist has a cause) and the **[[design argument]]** (the order and complexity of the universe point to a designer) to **demonstrate [[God’s existence]]**. - **The Limitation of [[Natural Revelation]]**: While **[[nature]]** tells us that there is a **[[Creator]]**, it does not tell us about **[[God’s specific nature]]**—[[His]] **[[Holiness]]**, **[[love]]**, or **[[plan]] for **[[Salvation]]**. That kind of **knowledge** requires **[[special revelation]]** through **[[Scripture]]**. ### Knowing [[God]] Through [[Scripture]] and the [[Spirit]] ([1 John 2:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2.3&version=AMP)) > “And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.” > — [1 John 2:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2.3&version=AMP) To truly **know [[God]]**, we need **[[special revelation]]**—**[[God’s Word]]**. The **[[Bible]]** reveals **who [[God]] is** and **what He is like**. More importantly, it tells us **how** we can enter into a **relationship** with Him. - **Knowledge and Obedience**: As **[1 John 2:3](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2.3&version=AMP)** shows, true **knowledge** of **[[God]]** is not just **intellectual**—it’s **relational**. We know that we have **come to know [[God]]** if we **obey His commandments**. This means that **knowing [[God]]** is more about **relationship** and **obedience** than just **facts**. - **The Role of the [[Holy Spirit]]**: **Knowing [[God]]** is not something we can **do** on our own. The **[[Holy Spirit]]** plays a **crucial role** in **opening** our **minds** to **understand** [[God’s Word]] and **experience** [[His presence]] [2 Corinthians 3:18](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Corinthians+3.18&version={{AMP}})