Is God Secretive?

[Nahum]

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]

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]

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

[Chan]

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]

"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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[ReformedDave]

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

They truly are!

[RevDWW]

Isaiah 55:8 - 9 (YLT) 8 For not My thoughts are your thoughts, Nor your ways My ways,—an affirmation of Jehovah,
9 For high have the heavens been above the earth, So high have been My ways above your ways, And My thoughts above your thoughts.


Romans 11:33 - 36 (KJV) 33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!
34 For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his counsellor?
35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?
36 For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.

[Neck]

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?

Is he secretive? Or are most folks just too plain stupid to see his working power and design....

[Margies3]

[QUOTE=Pastor Poster;70198]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? [QUOTE]

Why would we presume to think that the God who created this entire universe, down to the tiniest atom, is under any obligation to reveal every detail of everything to us - the creation? I don't mean this to sound harsh in any way. I believe that God reveals to us what He knows we can handle. But I don't believe that anyone can handle everything that God knows.

I don't tell my children every detail of every plan that is made in our home. They are not old enough to understand the reasoning behind every decision we make. And some things are simply not out there for them to vote on.

If we as human adults don't believe that human children have the capability of being on our level in every detail - how much more is it true that we as humans can never be on the same level as GOD - our very creator and sustainer.

Yes, He does reveal much to us. And for that I am grateful. but I do not believe we know everything. I'm not sure we ever will. And I'm not even sure I want to.

[Michael The Disciple]

[QUOTE=Pastor Poster;70198]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? [QUOTE]

Why would we presume to think that the God who created this entire universe, down to the tiniest atom, is under any obligation to reveal every detail of everything to us - the creation? I don't mean this to sound harsh in any way. I believe that God reveals to us what He knows we can handle. But I don't believe that anyone can handle everything that God knows.

I don't tell my children every detail of every plan that is made in our home. They are not old enough to understand the reasoning behind every decision we make. And some things are simply not out there for them to vote on.

If we as human adults don't believe that human children have the capability of being on our level in every detail - how much more is it true that we as humans can never be on the same level as GOD - our very creator and sustainer.

Yes, He does reveal much to us. And for that I am grateful. but I do not believe we know everything. I'm not sure we ever will. And I'm not even sure I want to.

Very good!

[Michael The Disciple]

The knowledge of the Father and the Son is hidden knowledge.

25: At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.
26: Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight.
27: All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.
Matt. 11:25-27

[Rhoni]

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


Dr. CS, That is exactly what I was going to say...hummmmmm that's a thought!

Blessings, Rhoni