How can I understand God?

Understanding God: A Comprehensive Topical Entry

1. The Divine Nature

God is described in Scripture as eternal, all-powerful, all-knowing, and perfectly holy. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1) succinctly affirms God’s eternal existence and creativity. God’s nature encompasses love, justice, wisdom, and sovereignty, all working harmoniously. The short statement “God is love” (1 John 4:8) highlights that divine love undergirds His interactions with humanity.

God’s eternal character is underscored by His unchanging nature. In Malachi 3:6, He declares, “I, the LORD, do not change,” ensuring that the same God who acted in history is consistent and reliable today. These characteristics are key to understanding His purposes and plans throughout Scripture.

2. Revelation Through Scripture

The Scriptures themselves claim to be the inspired Word of God. The Berean Standard Bible and other manuscript traditions—including the Dead Sea Scrolls—demonstrate remarkable consistency with ancient texts, pointing to a reliable transmission of truth through centuries. Archaeological findings (e.g., the discoveries at Qumran confirming the Isaiah scroll) reinforce how the Scriptural record has been preserved accurately, lending weight to its divine authority.

In the biblical narrative, prophets and apostles proclaim God’s message, consistently testifying that Yahweh is the sole Creator. The genealogies found in the Book of Genesis, affirming a created order in a concise timeline, emphasize God’s intimate involvement with His world. Such accounts align with a perspective that sees the earth as coming into existence by God’s direct action rather than by undirected processes.

3. Evidence From Creation

Creation itself points to a Designer. As Paul states, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen” (Romans 1:20, shortened). Modern scientific considerations, from the finely tuned constants of physics to the complexity of biological systems, bolster arguments for intelligent design. Studies citing the precise calibration of the cosmological constants underscore the improbability of a life-friendly universe arising by sheer chance.

Geological examples—such as flood geology research that highlights significant fossil graveyards—prompt considerations that align with a catastrophic global event described in Genesis. Although views may vary on these details, the overall evidence presents a consistent picture of an intentional act of creation rather than a purposeless process.

4. The Person of Jesus Christ

Central to understanding God is recognizing who Jesus is. Biblical testimony portrays Him as fully God and fully man, demonstrated by His authority over nature, illness, and even death. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16, shortened) underscores how Christ’s mission reveals God’s character—love manifested in the person of Jesus.

Historical sources outside Scripture, such as the writings of Josephus and Tacitus, support that Jesus was a literal figure who died by crucifixion. Habermas’s extensive research on the resurrection addresses multiple lines of corroboration, including the empty tomb and the dramatically changed lives of the apostles. The resurrection, pivotal in Christian teaching, affirms that God intervened in history, triumphing over death to offer salvation.

5. The Work of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is depicted in Scripture as the personal presence who convicts, guides, and empowers individuals. Acts recounts miraculous works performed not in human strength but through divine enablement. Reports of miracles, both biblical and modern-day, testify to a God who is transcendent yet immanently involved in the lives of people.

Additionally, the Spirit helps believers understand and apply Scripture. John 16:13 (BSB, shortened) promises guidance “into all truth,” indicating the Spirit’s role in making divine truths comprehensible to the human heart.

6. Relational Aspect: Knowing God Personally

God interacts with humanity on a relational level—He is not a distant force but a personal Being who desires to be known. Scripture repeatedly uses familial terms, such as Father and children, to describe how individuals can relate to Him. This relationship is anchored in faith, repentance, and trust in Christ’s redemptive work on the cross.

Biblical writings underscore the daily walk of prayer and worship as ways to grow in understanding God’s character. Multiple psalms exemplify raw honesty, joy, and lament before the Lord, teaching that seeking Him sincerely leads to greater clarity.

7. Practical Steps to Understanding God

• Study Scripture: Reading, meditating on, and discussing biblical passages fosters an ever-deepening grasp of God’s attributes and purposes.

• Engage in Prayer: Communication with God—presenting requests, offering thanks, and listening for His guidance—nurtures spiritual insight.

• Witness in Creation: Observing nature’s beauty and order can prompt awe and reflection on the Creator’s power and care.

• Reflect on Jesus: Concentrating on Christ’s life, teachings, death, and resurrection reveals the fullness of God’s character.

• Seek the Holy Spirit’s Guidance: Expect spiritual enlightenment when pondering truth, as the Spirit actively illumines minds and hearts.

8. Continual Growth and Transformation

Understanding God is not a one-time event but a lifelong journey. Proverbs 9:10 (BSB, shortened) affirms, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,” reflecting that reverence for God ignites a process of continual learning. Regular worship, fellowship with other believers, and applying biblical principles to daily life deepen both knowledge and character.

As a person grows spiritually, there is a transforming effect on their behavior, thought patterns, and relationships. The ultimate aim is to live in a way that reflects divine love and holiness, thereby finding purpose in glorifying God.

Conclusion

To grasp the infinite God, one must consider His character as revealed in Scripture, observe evidence of His design in creation, recognize His involvement in history through miracles, and especially encounter Him through Jesus Christ’s resurrection. This understanding unfolds further by the Holy Spirit’s influence in daily experiences of prayer, worship, and obedience. It is a transformative process that shapes both the mind and the heart, inviting all into a personal, ever-deepening relationship with the Creator who fashioned the universe and seeks to be truly known.