God's transcendence doesn't mean He is hidden—it actually means He is the most visible being in the universe.
Before we dive deeper into this idea, let's consider our terms. One definition Merriam-Webster provides for "transcendent" is "being beyond comprehension." Clearly, God is transcendent. But there's more to this in Christian theology.
The theologian John Frame clarifies that even this concept means that God is near. He states it this way:
"Therefore, we can define transcendence as God's lordship over his world with particular reference to his royal prerogatives of control and authority.
So understood, God's transcendence does not imply that he is hidden from people; quite the contrary.
Indeed, since his transcendence governs all the events of creation and his authority governs all his creatures, he is certainly the most visible being in the universe."
As Paul says to the Athenians in Acts 17:
"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'…"
Paul seamlessly connects the proclamation that the same God, who is the Creator and sustainer of heaven and earth, is not far from each of us.
The Creator and Sustainer of every subatomic particle is not far from us!
On the one hand, we think of God as beyond us. On the other, his surpassing greatness gives us confidence that he is always with us.
...that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being.'
Frame argues that God's transcendence does not imply that He is hidden from people; rather, it makes Him the most visible being in the universe. How have you experienced God's presence and activity in the world around you, even in seemingly ordinary moments?
The idea that the Creator and Sustainer of every subatomic particle is not far from us is both mind-boggling and incredibly reassuring. How does meditating on the vastness of God's power and the intricacy of His creation help you to trust Him more deeply?
Look for evidence of God's presence in your everyday life this week—His fingerprints are everywhere.
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