Bible Talk

Does God Imagine about this, that, or the other?

Discussion

No, we do not think so, because, as an omniscient Being, Jehovah God “knows.” Imagination is characteristically human. Humankind can think sequentially, and in parallel, and at random, and imagination is a link in that thought chain for us, it works at the beginning of the chain, and along the way, and at the end lies some imagined consummation. But our God knows the end from the beginning, there is no need for imagination here at any point. God knows the consummate Whole, which Whole is, necessarily, quintessential reality, which is Truth. This, it follows, God knows as intimately as He knows Himself, because He is that very reality, and thus Truth.

You say, humankind was created in God’s image, and humankind imagines! Yes, humankind was created in God’s image, but humankind is not God–there are serious differences here, not least in the way of limitations. And that is the key–humankind is limited, thus we are human, thus we imagine. As characteristically finite creatures, humankind must needs imagine; finitude imagines. Not so God. God does not imagine (imagine that), God knows. Can God imagine if He wants to? Said differently, does God play games with Himself? No, and no, respectively.

Praised be your Name great Jehovah God. Amen.