Transcendent Yet Known

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—he is Lord of heaven and earth—does not live in shrines made by hands. Neither is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives everyone life and breath and all things. From one man he has made every nationality to live over the whole earth and has determined their appointed times and the boundaries of where they live. He did this so that they might seek God, and perhaps they might reach out and find him, though he is 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.

Look for evidence of God's presence in your everyday life this week—His fingerprints are everywhere.