Consider This...
Theological Thoughts to Encourage the Heart & Stir the Mind
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Volume I July 2011 Issue 28
“The ideas with which we are most familiar are often those of which we are the least able to give an intelligent answer.”[1]This statement by Charles Hodge is found in the opening paragraph on the subject of God’s infinitude. The struggle to understand the incommunicable attributes of God is present whenever there is discussion concerning them. Many of these attributes are stated simply with the negation of mans attributes. God is the opposite of finite, which man is, thus He is infinite. It is our task in this article to understand a bit deeper the infinity of God and to see the relevant application of such a study.
The infinity of God covers every area of God: His being, His character, and His relationship to creation. The infinity of God’s being looks at Him externally from everything. The infinity of God’s character relates to His attributes both incommunicable and communicable. And the infinity of His relationship to creation covers His personal being towards all that He has made, especially humanity.
God’s Being
A number of aspects are found in the infinitude of God’s being. These relate to what it is to be infinite and what it is not to be infinite. It is in these that one struggles in supplying adequate words to describe this reality. However, it is vitally important to meditate on this and to study the depths of God. For, as we know Him better, the greater our worship of Him will be.
To begin, it is needed to know what infinity is not. This may seem elementary and simple, but it aids in tearing down the humanist ideas that battle with our desires. Being infinite does not mean that God is all. He is illimitable and incapable of increase but is not “all” that there is. The infinite can still be infinite even with the existence of finite matter and spirit. A false understanding of this has led to Pantheism in the Eastern religions.
Although God is not “all,” He is in all things. This is rooted in God’s self-existence and His creation of all things, material and immaterial. Aquinas states, “God is above all things by the excellence of His nature; nevertheless, He is in all things as the cause of the being of all things….”[2] This “in all things” is seen greatly in the sovereign rule of God over all. For all things are dependent upon God for both their existence and sustainment.
The third aspect of God’s being as infinite is in space/time. This is the discussion of both God’s omnipresence/immensity and His timelessness. These two bring the being of God into a more personal reality for man. They strengthen the believer in times of great trial and difficulty, even as they are far beyond our cognitive capabilities.
God’s infinity in space relates to that of Him being everywhere. This presence is that of His totality of being in each place. He is not spread throughout space as a cover, but fully everywhere. The term, omnipresence, carries with it the understanding of being present where other beings are.[3] There is also the term immensity, which sees the presence of God extending beyond creation and without end.[4] It is this, along with the personal being of God, that brings comfort to the believer is times of persecution and trials.
The infinity of God in time is one that many a scholar has struggled to even give a definition to. Its study begins with the understanding of God being outside of and not bound by the limitation of time, followed by His working both outside and inside of its boundaries. It would seem that the omniscience of God finds itself working within this realm.
The being of God as infinite carries with it a feeling of unapproachable understanding, yet great hope as the Infinite God is there. And not only is He there, but He is active and not bound by any constraint. He is over all.
God’s Character
None of God’s attributes contradict one another. They even complement and paint a full picture of God together. However, God’s infinity is applied to each and it is what separates Him from man.
There are those attributes which God possesses that man possesses as well. These are termed the communicable attributes of God. The list would include (but is not limited to) grace, mercy, goodness, anger, and love. These are attributes that each person possesses to some degree. However, man is limited in the expression of these. Our love is finite, often times ending with conditions. We can show mercy and grace, but stop after it is continually needed.
God, however, shows these attributes to their fullest and is unlimited in the expression of these. It is by His infinite being that He can love with justice and wrath. He can show grace and mercy when we are nothing but wretched, rebellious creatures. His infinite attributes were displayed at their grandest on Calvary. It is here that all of the attributes, expressed infinitely, consummate redemption, kills sin, glorifies God to the greatest degree, and brings the only hope in this hopeless world.
God’s personal relationship to Man
The message of the Bible stands apart as unique in light of all sacred texts. One area that produces such great uniqueness is the personal, infinite God that is there. It is here where all religions and philosophies will die a hopeless death. They must all come to this point and realize that their god is not personal and is, thus, finite. Man is not autonomous, no matter how desirous of it he is. Without a personal God that gives both meaning and instruction, man is no greater then the machine that eventually wears out and is tossed as trash.[5]
However, the God of the Bible gives meaning and instruction to man, His creation. This is given not as arbitrary laws and appeasements, but from His infinite wisdom. The meaning that is given is found in the fact that God is there and is interacting with man. Even greater than this, there is no line of communication with God. His infinite being has Him in the very place that He is needed for every person to experience His infinite attributes.
A knowledge of God’s infinitude brings about the greatest hope, trust, faith, and joy that can ever be experienced by man. It is here that Soli Deo is all that is needed. It is the prayer of this author that, as we have only scratched the surface of God’s infinity, we are able to worship God greater because of who He is.
Soli Deo Gloria
John A. Frey III
[1] Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, 3 vols. (Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, 2011). 380
[2] St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Vol. 1, 5 vols. (Westminster, Maryland: Christian Classics, 1981). 34
[3] Lewis Sperry Chafer, Systematic Theology, Vol. 1, 8 vols. (Grand Rapids, Mi: Kregal Publications, 1976). 220
[4] ibid
[5] Francis A. Schaeffer, The God Who Is There, Vol. 1, 5 vols. (Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Books, 1968). Ideas from chapter two of section three. Main content found on page 102.
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