Is God Secretive?

Nahum · #1 04-10-2007, 10:27 AM

Is God secretive? Is He mysterious? Does He purposefully hide things from us?
If so, how is this different from deception? Shouldn't a God of light be in the business of full revelation?

Felicity · #2 04-10-2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Is God secretive? Is He mysterious? Does He purposefully hide things from us?
If so, how is this different from deception? Shouldn't a God of light be in the business of full revelation?

Scripture teaches that He shares His secrets and mysteries with us!

Coonskinner · #3 04-10-2007, 10:37 AM

Pro 25:2 [It is] the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings [is] to search out a matter.

#4 04-10-2007, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Is God secretive? Is He mysterious? Does He purposefully hide things from us?
If so, how is this different from deception? Shouldn't a God of light be in the business of full revelation?

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV).

Felicity · #5 04-10-2007, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chan

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29 ESV).

That's one of the scriptures I was thinking of. There are others too. I just don't have time right now to find them.

Isn't it awesome that God shares His thoughts and secrets with us! Woah!

ReformedDave · #6 04-10-2007, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pastor Poster

Is God secretive? Is He mysterious? Does He purposefully hide things from us?
If so, how is this different from deception? Shouldn't a God of light be in the business of full revelation?

There is also the 'problem' that we are finite and limited in our ability to comprehend Him. If He were not gracious to us we would never have any knowledge of God at all. There will always be the creator-creature distinction and that will be throughout eternity. He is both transcendent and immanent. If He wasn't both He wouldn't be God and we could never know anything about Him.

mfblume · #7 04-10-2007, 11:30 AM

I do not think it is that God is secretive, but that fleshly mankind cannot sense the sort of things God is deeply involved with!

Not until the New Covenant afforded man with Spiritual new birth could man's human spirit begin to sense the things of God. 1 Cor 2:12. We now can know these mysteries since God gives us His Spirit. Paul likened the issue to no man knowing another's thoughts unless that other's spirit was given to a man. This shows God DOES do that and gives us His Spirit so we CAN KNOW the mind of Christ.

ReformedDave · #8 04-10-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfblume

I do not think it is that God is secretive, but that fleshly mankind cannot sense the sort of things God is deeply involved with!

Not until the New Covenant afforded man with Spiritual new birth could man's human spirit begin to sense the things of God. 1 Cor 2:12. We now can know these mysteries since God gives us His Spirit. Paul likened the issue to no man knowing another's thoughts unless that other's spirit was given to a man. This shows God DOES do that and gives us His Spirit so we CAN KNOW the mind of Christ.

God gave parables so that some would understand and some would not. There are things that only the regenerate can know but God will always have a mysterious, i:e unknowable, aspect to Him.

mfblume · #9 04-10-2007, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReformedDave

God gave parables so that some would understand and some would not. There are things that only the regenerate can know but God will always have a mysterious, i:e unknowable, aspect to Him.

Parables are awesome things. You are right, they do hide things from the pharisees. But they ENHANCE the truth to believers. A miracle, really.