Most theists and almost all Christians prescribe to an infinite God, a God without limits, a God paralleled only by eternity. But this sort of God is hard to wrap our heads around—moreover, it may be simply at odds with our common sense. Is it possible that God’s infinity makes many traditional doctrines untenable?
Starting at the beginning, what is an infinite God’s role in creation? What does a perfect and infinite being gain by creating? If there is an answer, why does this being not create infinitely? Aside from these question, some understand creation’s purpose as some sort of sandbox, a space and time for humans to come to know God. But why does an infinite God need a temporal trial run? Does he not already know the solution?
This broad observation is all the more piercing at the level of individuals. Why do Christians pray? An infinite God knows the answer before the question is asked—and in some way, has already answered it. What “relationship” is there to develop with one who knows every decision you will make? What is sin but an already known action in a long line of deeds.
These inquiries may direct some to challenge the assumption that God must know the future or that God must be unchanging. We must then ask, what is an eternal God that is limited by events that have not happened for only those living before them? And what is an infinite God that can be persuaded by mortal supplications?
Stepping back, how are we to understand the Christian doctrine of a personal God? The Christian tradition has historically held the personal God of Judaism alongside the transcendent God of Greek philosophers. But is this possible? Can a personal God, by definition having a center of consciousness, truly be omnipresent and omniscient, spanning all of space-time in both form and mind? Can an infinite God have a form or a mind?
Surely, we as Christians answer yes, particularly in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, God in the flesh. But how can the Chalcedonian conception of Christ as two natures in one person remain coherent? Without the revisionist theory of kenosis, it is impossible for a finite being to simultaneously be infinite. And if he is infinite, how is he like us in every way?
Perhaps the greatest difficulty is in regards to theodicy, or the justice of God. How is it that an infinite God needs to allow the passage of time to know the hearts of his creation? How is it that an omniscient deity cannot come up with a more optimal system for creation, one involving just a little less suffering? What is fair about an infinite punishment for finite sins or an eternal reward for a handful of good years on Earth?
How do we comprehend a God who is infinite? I have no idea. The evidence seems to suggest that God is not infinite in the mathematical sense. Perhaps it is best understood as metaphor for an incredibly vast being? Or one that is totally other? That is the simplest answer, the one I gravitate toward: when we speak of God’s infinity, we are not talking of his limitless strength or knowledge—those are nonsensical terms when applied to the divine. God is something totally beyond us, good in a sense that we will only know in the end.
To the questions you are asking and the confusion that many have… I find that it is the differences between God the Father and God the Son (Jesus) is how we explain many of those things. For example, Father God is infinite in every way, but the Son is more finite (especially when He became human).
You asked, “How is it that an infinite God needs to allow the passage of time to know the hearts of his creation?” When you ask, “needs,” I offer the idea that God needs nothing. Another aspect to add to God’s nature (along with omnipresence, omnipotence, etc) is God’s all-sufficiency.
The subject matter of your post makes me want to add a shameless plug, haha.
“Early Christianity on…” plugs are always welcome!
Best blog I have read in some time. Can you write on this every week?