HOW CAN WE BEST DESCRIBE GOD?

Aw, man. I think I picked up some poison ivy. I was weeding over the weekend. It's spread across my hands.

Well, considering all the other ills of the world, this seems like a really minor thing. It is itchy, though.


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How far do we go in trying to describe who God is and what He is all about?

Some would consider putting God in "a box" and saying that He must forgive, is to restrict Him and therefore disrespect Him. Through the ages this area of study has been a sticking point in itself. How does a person try to describe God?

The fourth century Cappadocian leaders stated their belief in God in what was known in Latin as Via Negativa, the "Negative Way." This belief was an attempt to describe God in negative ways. For example, He was not definable in terms of space, so the key words were "infinite" and "invisible", nor was He even within the realm of understanding ("incomprehensible"). This theology, also known as apophatic theology, states that it is not possible to know God’s essence beyond what is openly what is revealed, and does not assume anything past this boundary.

Conversely there is a presenting of the cataphatic side of theology, which makes positive assertions about God, stating that God is loving, God is righteous, and God is good. Which, then, is the correct way to describe God? I believe that both sides need to be presented in a careful balance, lest on one hand we say that God is beyond any comprehension, but on the other hand describing God as simply the perfect human being. Yet God does allow us to know about Him, and invites us to learn about Him through the many parts of Scriptures including the Psalms.

I will venture even further: I have no doubt that this mighty God wants us to walk, even run toward Him. I use that in the seeking sense, that we would pursue God. It’s not that God is hiding, but He’s given us a free will, and with that He desires that we choose to come closer and see the many joys that He has for those who love Him. It’s more than a one-time call for deliverance from hell, however. God continually reminds the reader that he wants everyone to approach Him without ceasing. As I read the Psalms, I see that there is an open contradiction to people who would say "God is so far off that nobody could ever find Him," or to those who say "God wants to remain distant, He is so far above and beyond us." In studying the Psalms from beginning to end, you will find that the main theme in the Psalms is to seek God no matter what is happening around you or what your station in life.