Can I Ask That? – Part One – Who/What is God?
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Chronicles%2029%3A10-13&version=NIV
https://youtu.be/2yZVweZ2Cvg?si=HJAcVsvNT8VmGRux
Many of the ideas in this sermon were taken from The Experience of God, By David Bentley Hart, Yale Press, 2013. https://a.co/d/csUpzTW
Today we are going to talk about God. And, my goal is to tell you what Jews, Christians, and Muslims mean when we use the word God, or at least what they share in common when they speak of God. Obviously, the four faiths have many differences. But there is a common core set of agreements about which we can discuss. It is my goal to talk about his shared understanding. It is also my goal to clarify what we do not mean by the word God.
Head – Helpful Information: Making Sense of the Word God
What I am going to say not the only way of talking about he subject for God. Nor is it even the only good way. But, I hope to make the subject as clear and concise as possible. I want you to walk away from this sermon, knowing what we mean by the word God and why it is important.
One famous atheist said, “Polytheism is the belief in many gods. And, it is commonly believed that in moving from polytheism to monotheism, progress was made. That, of course, required subtracting many gods from the pantheon, to get us down to just one God. Well, I am just suggesting that we follow the logic to it’s conclusion, by subtracting just one more god, moving from progress to perfection by reducing ourselves down to no gods.”
I want to show the problems with that logic by comparing and contrasting three worldviews. The first is polytheism, which is the belief in many gods. The second is monotheism, which is the belief in only one God. The last is atheism, or the belief in no gods.
Let me start by saying that polytheism is as different from monotheism as atheism is from monotheism. In fact, polytheism is closer to the worldview of atheism than it is to monotheism. The difference between monotheism and polytheism is about more than how many gods there are. The difference is about what each means when it uses the word god.
According to polytheism, there is no transcendent reality that governs the world. And even if there were, it would be something abstract and impersonal. In other words, no one is in charge of the universe. No one is driving the bus. Instead, the whole universe is filled with living things that are fighting and contending with each other for power and resources. Bugs, reptiles, amphibians, wild beasts, and, humanoids are all contending for control of their world. Some of these beings are so powerful, so intelligent, so magnificent that they deserve to be called gods. But otherwise, they are no different from lesser beings. None of these gods has been around forever and each of them will someday face death or some other possible ending. None of them have or is capable of controlling the whole universe. Each of them exist because some force in the universe brought them into existence, and each is dependent on the universe for food, energy, and other resources, without which they would cease to exist.
Each of these gods is something that can be found in the universe. So, for example, Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon, if they exist at all, would be something you could find if you searched the universe long enough.
So, how is this different from monotheism? When Muslims, Christians, and Jews use the word God, we are not using it like a name. The word God is not a name. But the reason it is sometimes used as one is because it is a category of one. It is like the title President of the United States, which is also a category of one. When I say the President, I don’t have to specify to whom I am referring. There is only one President at any given time. So, God is not a name. God has a name, which according to the Jewish/Christian scriptures is Yahweh, usually spoken of as the Lord.
When monotheists say the word God, we are speaking of a transcendent spiritual reality. In other words, he is not a physical object to be located somewhere in space. Nor is God subject to time or the result of some cosmic process. God resides in all things, while remaining distinct from them. He is not the universe, yet he is a Being we know intimately in the depths of our being. Or, as the Apostle Paul says, “In him we live and move and have our being.” – Acts 17:28
God is the reality from which everything else comes and upon which everting depends, moment by moment, for its very existence. God lends existence and being to everything that exists.
So the difference between polytheism and monotheism, is that when polytheists use the word god they are talking about local powers that rule over one corner or part of creation. When monotheist talk about God we mean the very reason for existence itself. That means, in part, when the Bible talks about seeking God while he may be found, we are using this metaphorical language to describe a relationship that can be experienced not to talk about a physical object that can be located somewhere out in the universe.
As an aside, it may not be correct to call Hinduism polytheistic. Some of the best Hindu thinkers say that they do believe in an Ultimate Reality called Brahman, or Atman. What they call gods are something closer to what Christianity means by angels and demons.
Now, in order to talk about the difference between monotheism and atheism, we move to the heart of the message, because at the heart of these differences is in the way that we view the world. Atheism and monotheism are each describing a different understanding of the world.
Heart – the Personal Connection
God – Infinite Being, Infinite Consciousness, and Infinite Bliss
So what is a stake is not simply an abstract question, but a question about what kind of world we think we live in. Theologian and philosopher David Bentley Hart surveys all the worlds and says that God is Infinite being, Infinite Consciousness, and Infinite Bliss. Let’s look at each and what they mean.
Unless one is a nihilist, you believe in some ultimate reality. But atheism leaves open the possibility of Nihilism, because, perhaps below the surface of all of this apparent order, there is nothing but chaos and meaninglessness. But most atheists believe that there is a bedrock reality behind the universe.
But that reality cannot be the physical universe itself. “The very idea of nature as closed-system that is self-sustaining and sufficient to itself is something no deductive, imperial reason and can establish. That kind of idea is not based on the scientific , but upon metaphysical and philosophical commitments.” – David Bentley Hart.
Let me say more simply, most atheists think that the bedrock reality behind the universe is math and the laws of physics. Monotheists believe that math and the laws of physics are only a reflection of mind of God. So, what is the difference? The answer is consciousness. The atheist believes that the foundation of reality is impersonal physical laws, while the monotheist believes that the fundamental reality is a personal being.
In other words, the atheist believes that the universe is impersonal and that there is no one behind it, beyond it, or within that cares about you or even the fate of the universe itself.
Monotheism believes that there is a personal being behind, beyond, and also within the universe that cares about everything that exists. Now, neither of those ideas is something that can be proven. But each will make significant impact on how you live. Monotheists believe that the universe has order because it was made by a God of order.
The most significant difference is the idea of Infinite Bliss. Infinite Bliss is the idea of beauty and goodness. Again, this one cannot be proved either way. It comes down to whether or not you think we live in a good world.
Now, I admit that suffering is the biggest and best argument against belief in a good God who has created a good world. But even after considering parasites that eat away at living things, childhood diseases that ravage innocent children, and natural disasters that cause catastrophic damage, I still believe that this world is beautiful and good.
Besides, the problem of suffering is also a problem for atheists. As a former atheist, I can remember experiencing something I should not have experienced, and which many atheists experience – being angry at a God I didn’t believe in. If you do not believe in God, then at whom are you angry? And, if this world is only the product of random chance, why would you expect it to be fair? Where did that sense of justice come from? Why would you expect good to win out in the end?
I suggest that it is because this world, though very broken, is still a very good world, created by a good God who loves it, and he has given you that sense of right and wrong.
Hands – The Practical Application
All of this is about more than abstract ideas. Our thoughts about these ideas have practical implications. So, for example, a belief in Infinite Being is tied to idea of an intelligent, orderly God of whom math and the laws of physics are but a reflection.
It is why science first took off in the fertile soil of Judea-Christian culture. We expected to find a universe filled with order, symmetry, and purpose. We expected to find this all why down to a microscopic level. We expected to someday discover things like DNA and physics because we believe in God who brings order out of chaos and who has woven order, purpose, beauty, and structure into every aspect of creation. That is also why humans are such curious creatures. Other species on our planet may be as intelligent, but they do not have the curiosity we have. The reason we are are a meaning making species is because we are created in the image of the One who gives meaning, and has created us to seek and to make meaning.
To tap into and experience what we mean by infinite being, I would challenge you to explore and learn about something you are ignorant of. That might mean learning a DYI project. Or, it might mean using ChatGPT or Google to explore something you are curious about, such as why, on some late evenings, the moon seems to be look smushed.
Infinite Consciousness– causes us to conclude that there is no unimportant part of creation or unimportant people. It leads us to believe that our lives count for something and matter. Every living thing matters, because because it is of intrinsic worth.
To explore this idea, I invite you do something to engage one of your five senses. For example, when it is warmer, taking off your shoes and socks and walking on the grass in bare feet, taking a cold shower, eating food from a cuisine you have never tried, or taking an hour to listen to a great piece of music that is new to you.
And Infinite Bliss, a belief in the beauty and goodness of creation leads us to proclaim, not only that the world is good, but that the broken parts of it can be healed and made whole. Justice can be done and the world can be set to rights.
To explore and experience this part of your life, I ask you to make a commitment to creating an area of beauty in your life.
In our home, we talk often about the idea of being a journeyman artists. By this we mean that art and beauty are of value for their own sake, whether or not one can make a living from it. One of the best musicians I know works as dentist because he cannot make a living as a saxophone player; but his deepest passion is music. We know painters and writers who love their craft and art, but who cannot make a living from it.
Vincent Van Gogh is considered one of the most important visual artists of all time, struggled commercially, selling very few paintings during his lifetime. Today, his works sell for million of dollars, but in his lifetime, Van Gogh had no financial success. We have to know that art and beauty have value in their right, whether or not the world recognizes their worth.
https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/06/03/why-did-van-gogh-fail-to-sell-his-work
To worship this God, to direct our praise and prayer to this God is to find an escape from frantic despair and empty euphoria (David Bentley Hart).
To put it more simply, lets us a questions this way:
Why Does This Matter?
What we believe about God changes how we live. If you believe in a God who created everything and cares deeply, you’re more likely to see the world as a place full of meaning and hope. You’ll want to take care of the earth and help others because you know they matter to God.
God Wants to Know You
The best part? God isn’t far away or hard to find. Through Jesus, He showed us how much He loves us. Jesus said in the Bible, “This is eternal life: to know the one true God and Jesus Christ whom He sent” (John 17:3). You can know God and have a relationship with Him. He loves you more than you can imagine and wants to be part of your life.
This God is not distant, but has drawn close to us through Jesus Christ. And, you can know this God. He loves you and wants to be known by you.