This word means that something is "not near" or "not knowable" or "beyond our scope of experience"
So, in relation to God, He is in a unique realm of His own. He exists outside of time, space, and dimension. Before creation, He existed within Himself alone. He exists apart from and independent from anyone of anything else.
God is transcendent in His uncommunicable attributes of holiness, purity, sovereignty, infiniteness, limitlessness, omni-presence, omnipotence, omniscience, and perfection. No created being possesses these characteristics in the way God possesses them, which is infinitely and perfectly. He cannot give any creature these attributes because His divine nature is higher above and surpasses any created being. He is in a class of His own as God, as there is no other God but the God of Scriptures. ALL things are upheld by Him. ( Heb. 13), yet He is upheld by Himself alone. He is the only truly transcendent being
God is transcendent in that He is unknowable and remains unknown ( Acts 17:23) by creatures unless He reveals to creatures aspects of Himself, which is called "immanence". All we know about God s what He has revealed to us in creation, theophanies, words to and through His prophets, working of His power, miracles, and most truly and clearly in the incarnation of His eternal Son, Jesus who is "Immanuel", God with us and with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers and in the Scriptures inspired by God. Being transcendent, God is the incomprehensible Creator, unsearchable those He created who exist in the realm of time and space and matter. Neither by an act of our will nor by our own reasoning can we possibly come to understand God or experience Him personally. But because He wills to us to know Him, He intersects our realm of time, space and matter to communicate to us what He is like, what His will is, and causes us to seek Him. Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-36 speaks to this.
Another way that God's transcendence is expressed is in His royal and exalted glory and power.
Ps. 57:5, 97:9 speak of God being exalted above all else. He always is in the most high position from creation.
Deut. 4:39; Eccl. 5:2 speaks of God dwelling in heaven above, even the highest heavens. ) Ps 8:1, 57:5) None of us CAN go up to heaven to check Him out in His sovereign majesty. God had to come down to us in the Son for us to know what God s like. John 3 :13.
Ps. 113:5 says that He Himself is the most high ( Ps. 97:9)
So the term 'transcendence" s a convenient term to use to summarize these ways in which God is "above us"; in majesty, holiness, sovereignty, exaltation, glory, perfection, etc.
God is ontologically different and distinct from us that we can only describe Him adequately with our human language (this is called "ineffable). But in His immanence, He has revealed Himself in human terms, both verbally and in Jesus, the Son so that we can be redeemed and have fellowship with Him both now and forever. Jesus said, "This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent." ( John 17:3)
Though God is transcendent, He has spoken clearly and in language that we can understand with certainty His nature and actions. Romans 1:18-22 says this and that therefore no one can be blameless from ignorance.
Romans 11:33-36 does speak of His mystery, incomprehensibility, ineffability, and "deep things of God" that no man can know.
We can also understand God's transcendence as referring to his Lordship over all that is, to His power and right as the King of everything He has made in all of creation, to His sovereignty and authority over all creatures and in all of His will. This speaks to His omnipotence, omniscience, and omni-presence. ( Ps. 2:47; 93:1; 96:10-13; 97:4; 99:1)
His authority is His control over the moral sphere, over all things that happen in time, all circumstances, and all that w happen.
God's transcendence refers to His Lordship over the whole world with particular reference to His royal prerogatives of control and authority. So understood, God's transcendence does not imply that he is hidden from people (although He has described Himself that way in Is. 45:15-25). In His transcendence as sovereign authority and ruler of all surpassing any other rule or authority (which we cannot fully know), it is because He is sovereign ruler that He is the most visible being in the universe, as Paul says in Rom. 1:18. So in this aspect, His transcendence is also imminent as He controls all that occurs in history and nature and the heavens declare His work and power.
God's Lordship is His covenant relation to the world He has made, particularly to the persons in it. It is not just a relationship of power, control and authority, but also of presence with His covenant partners. The heart of the covenant is a relationship of intimacy. The chief promise of the covenant is the Lord's words: I will be with you" ( Gen. 21:22; 26:28; 31:35; 39:3-4; Ex. 3:11-12, 15; 7:14; Mt. 1:23)
The fact that God is both transcendent and immanent at the same time is in itself unfathomable for us. Other things that are unfathomable for us is the inner workings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within the One Being of God. We do not know how God can be One "what" Divine Being and three "Whos" (distinct persons) and be perfectly unified in His nature. We cannot know how God brought about the everlasting covenant between the persons of the Godhead before anything was created. We do not know the conversations they had between themselves unless He reveals it as it in Ps. 110:1 or in the prayers Jesus spoke to the Father heard by the apostles.
The more God's transcendence is emphasized the less His immanence is understood and vise-versa. But the fullness of God's nature includes both of these in order for all of His attributes to be fully, perfectly, and eternally.
While there is so much more that can be said concerning the transcendence of God, I would like to end with these ideas:
*We are to avoid the mistake of radical immanence in our perception of God, because:
1. Evil and the demonic cannot be accounted for if God is in everything (panentheism) or that everything is God (pantheism).
2. Ethical evaluation of events is impossible if God is within all that exists.
3. God loses His personal dimension if He is not distinct from creation.
*We are to avoid the problem of radical transcendence in one's view of God.
1. No one can know or relate to God in a personal way if He is wholly other (Deism)
2. God does not have control of the universe if He is not working within it.
3. God appears unapproachable and disinterested if He is not involved with creation.
4. Prayer is meaningless if God has no contact with life He created.
In closing, God's transcendence is not antithetical to His immanence. It is the ground and assurance of it. If God did not transcend space, He could not be present everywhere at once. ( Ps. 139:7) Though we cannot know and relate to God perfectly, God, due to His transcendence knows use completely, even things that we cannot know about ourselves, and He relates to us with unsurpassed intimacy, perfect knowledge, and boundless love.
Those who disparage God's transcendence to stress His nearness only strike at the foundation of divine immanence.
Transcendence and immanence are both always true of God. He us amazingly great and by far the most beautiful Being to behold. One day we will see Him in all of His glory when we meet Jesus face to face, in whom the Whole Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) dwells bodily forever (immanence) and also experience how God fills the universe with His presence simultaneously.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Great in power, great in glory, King of Heaven.
Don't know why I even bother posting after reading all the detail; complexities and truths in your latest series on transcendence.
Probably a good thing that I abandoned that a to z business on attributes of God. Truth be told I don't really plan for very long at least in written form what is posted here unless there is a rare event where I copy some old study on the subject.
What I usually try to do is try to bring some spiritual concept; particularly what I feel through spiritual discernment has been revealed and try to put verses together to expound on that point. I am focusing on what is going on in the spiritual realm as to my best understanding.
What is lacking obviously in that aspect is the wisdom that those with other giftings have; and of course I am wary of saying anything that can't be clearly backed up scripturally; and not stating something which may be stemming from my emotions.
You probably know me as well or better than anyone on this site. A lot of times the personal struggles I go through are somewhat calmed by the distraction of deep spiritual matters especially related to prophecy which is also the calling I have felt for 40 years. I can say with conviction that it isn't fascination with the subject that I elaborate and dig into the matter; it is the sense of urgency as to the time we're in.
Admittedly I am a very emotional person. I don't enjoy discussing eternal damnation; but understanding the horror of such things like the mark of the beast in all honesty was like insanity; basically leading me at the time to grasp onto the Lord for His mercy. The situation involved a relationship which I had to get away from in college. I never had a vision of hell itself though.
When I feel filled with the Spirit it is usually around others and I can't predict it totally; most of the time I feel so burdened I feel I am barely breathing spritually.
Anyway I thought your post deserved a comment; and just expressing my gratitude.
Many years ago the Holy Spirit stuck John 17:3 deep into me. It speaks of eternal life being knowing God the Father and Jesus the Son. Since that time I have had a burning desire to know as much as I can about Him Scripturally while I live in this life so that I can worship Him in Spirit and in truth. But this verse also speaks of a knowing in the context of intimacy. Knowing God and being Known by God. This is a relational aspect of growing in knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ and both the intellectual and relational knowing are wrought in us by the Holy Spirit. I never tire of learning and growing in this respect in my walk with God,
I don't want to have a "small" view of Him that does not esteem His great worth and glory.
I hope your weekend is going well.
How are your parents doing? I have been praying for you and them and the situation facing them in these last years of their life.
I had the ultrasound today but will not know the results until the radiologist examines the scans next week. I was just praying the whole time that the scan would show normalcy in all of the organs the tech scanned: liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys. Perhaps it is a good thing after all to have this done, as it gives a baseline moving forward into the rest of my years. Will keep you posted when I hear more.
IF I were to go to the place I stayed it is an air band b where I could stay for only about 25 a day but a few days here and there I'd have to stay somewhere else. I did notary and filing at one of the places that split off from my main job but the place where I stayed for full time work from about 2015 until 2021 still was amenable to me returning when I checked about 6 months ago.
I'd have to have help more than once a week in that case which my mom could arrange. The main thing is next week when she has her general physician appt as well as her old chiropractor. If she misses both of these it will be 2 months since she has left the house. She has had some days when her breathing is ok; and I got an exercise gadget which is a pedal for the bottom of her legs she is starting to use. For now the agency would help my dad when they are here for my mom in some capacity although he gets one hour of free care; biggest issue is the basement explaining how to wash clothes.
My biggest concern is my mother being hydrated enough; she has to hold back with meals but she still doesn't drink enough in my opinion. She said warm water helped her to go to the toilet and I ask often if I can get some for her but have to let her make decisions. I can't basically make her go to an institution even though she gave verbal affirmation on the power of attorney which for some odd reason I never signed nor was it read to me years ago. The attorney said I could force a social worker but I should be wary of doing so.
I figure someone in the church I talked to in the last 2 years will find a place for me to live if it exists. Anyway I suppose this is a prayer request since it is public. I am a notary and have one person who uses me exclusively but not often; I am going to try n the next couple weeks to hand more out; and in theory could use anywhere in Pennsylvania. Right now I live in Montgomery County; guess I can be that specific here.
My mom sadly didn't find who she thought that works on hiatal hearnias apparently the receptionist lied to try to get her into some program plan the office had the chiropractor himself asked where she heard that he did that. What a dissapoointment.
My mom is self administering what she can going between being very weak and eating what is a more normal amount such as today and finding it hard to breathe. I had to leave town the other week driving all the way to the state of Indiana over 12 hr drive all night and left a note explaining that they need more help. The process to at least get a home health care aide hopefully will work but the boss of the lady from the agency that came seemed to think my mom's policy didn't cover trips to stores just bathing care. The lady is going to check with the insurance company monday i am hoping this guy is off; the private person my mom met who she liked she tried to call again today with no response she supposedly had an emergency a couple weeks ago and never got back to her. Personally I think they both should be in a care facility at this point which this lady can help with too; my mom still has to file a claim if it works with the agency her insurance would cover enough for 5 hrs a week of help indefinitely.
My issue is my mothers unstable moods; crying and complaining then telling me she is stressed because I am stressed. I still have an escape plan where I would be out of town and come back occasionally to help if needed; if something comes up locally I pray it does with the church; either way not living here will cause my mom to be mad. I told her I wouldn't go with a note next time but living here peaceably under these conditions are at times unbearable. I also have my 45 day notice at my current job which means I may be out of work October.
I asked a friend in Pittsburgh if I could stay there on occasion as I could work at one of my former jobs that way.
Before creation, there was only God. He existed forever as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a unified oneness of being. He is and always is one being with three distinct "persons" or centers of consciousness or "subsistences" each sharing eternally the one divine essence (nature) fully and equally. Before creation, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loved each other and were completely satisfied within the Being of the one Godhead. He was self-sufficient in all ways, in need of nothing outside of His one Being. No other being in creation is like this. And, since we are finite in all ways, we cannot wrap our minds fully around this quality of God. In this way, He is transcendent.
In His holiness, God is set apart from all He created, being transcendent and beyond the reach of any created being, especially in that humans are sinful and therefore rightly restrained from God's presence. God's glory in His transcendent holiness and majesty determines that no man can see the face of God and live. We will be consumed by His glory and wrath for sinfulness. He did not let Moses see His face (glory) in Exodus 33:20 because Moses was still in sinful flesh. The full revelation of God to mankind is reserved for the future. Now we know in part, but then we will know more fully. Isaiah 64:6-7 speaks to our unworthiness to be in fellowship with God and abide in His presence. "all of us have become like one who is unclean.."
God's holiness and righteousness forces God to turn His face away from what is sinful and keep Himself separate from anything and anyone sinful, impure, unclean, and less than perfect. But paradoxically, God does draw near to those who He redeems and it in this His immanence that any creature can have fellowship with Him and come to truly know Him. Jer. 23:23-24 speaks of this. It is also in His immanence that He controls and upholds the universe, in His work within history, time, and space, and in His plan to create and redeem.-- Pt. 3
This word means that something is "not near" or "not knowable" or "beyond our scope of experience"
So, in relation to God, He is in a unique realm of His own. He exists outside of time, space, and dimension. Before creation, He existed within Himself alone. He exists apart from and independent from anyone of anything else.
God is transcendent in His uncommunicable attributes of holiness, purity, sovereignty, infiniteness, limitlessness, omni-presence, omnipotence, omniscience, and perfection. No created being possesses these characteristics in the way God possesses them, which is infinitely and perfectly. He cannot give any creature these attributes because His divine nature is higher above and surpasses any created being. He is in a class of His own as God, as there is no other God but the God of Scriptures. ALL things are upheld by Him. ( Heb. 13), yet He is upheld by Himself alone. He is the only truly transcendent being
God is transcendent in that He is unknowable and remains unknown ( Acts 17:23) by creatures unless He reveals to creatures aspects of Himself, which is called "immanence". All we know about God s what He has revealed to us in creation, theophanies, words to and through His prophets, working of His power, miracles, and most truly and clearly in the incarnation of His eternal Son, Jesus who is "Immanuel", God with us and with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers and in the Scriptures inspired by God. Being transcendent, God is the incomprehensible Creator, unsearchable those He created who exist in the realm of time and space and matter. Neither by an act of our will nor by our own reasoning can we possibly come to understand God or experience Him personally. But because He wills to us to know Him, He intersects our realm of time, space and matter to communicate to us what He is like, what His will is, and causes us to seek Him. Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-36 speaks to this.
See part 2
PT. 3
Another way that God's transcendence is expressed is in His royal and exalted glory and power.
Ps. 57:5, 97:9 speak of God being exalted above all else. He always is in the most high position from creation.
Deut. 4:39; Eccl. 5:2 speaks of God dwelling in heaven above, even the highest heavens. ) Ps 8:1, 57:5) None of us CAN go up to heaven to check Him out in His sovereign majesty. God had to come down to us in the Son for us to know what God s like. John 3 :13.
Ps. 113:5 says that He Himself is the most high ( Ps. 97:9)
So the term 'transcendence" s a convenient term to use to summarize these ways in which God is "above us"; in majesty, holiness, sovereignty, exaltation, glory, perfection, etc.
God is ontologically different and distinct from us that we can only describe Him adequately with our human language (this is called "ineffable). But in His immanence, He has revealed Himself in human terms, both verbally and in Jesus, the Son so that we can be redeemed and have fellowship with Him both now and forever. Jesus said, "This is eternal life, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom He has sent." ( John 17:3)
Though God is transcendent, He has spoken clearly and in language that we can understand with certainty His nature and actions. Romans 1:18-22 says this and that therefore no one can be blameless from ignorance.
Romans 11:33-36 does speak of His mystery, incomprehensibility, ineffability, and "deep things of God" that no man can know.
We can also understand God's transcendence as referring to his Lordship over all that is, to His power and right as the King of everything He has made in all of creation, to His sovereignty and authority over all creatures and in all of His will. This speaks to His omnipotence, omniscience, and omni-presence. ( Ps. 2:47; 93:1; 96:10-13; 97:4; 99:1)
His authority is His control over the moral sphere, over all things that happen in time, all circumstances, and all that w happen.
Pt. 4
God's transcendence refers to His Lordship over the whole world with particular reference to His royal prerogatives of control and authority. So understood, God's transcendence does not imply that he is hidden from people (although He has described Himself that way in Is. 45:15-25). In His transcendence as sovereign authority and ruler of all surpassing any other rule or authority (which we cannot fully know), it is because He is sovereign ruler that He is the most visible being in the universe, as Paul says in Rom. 1:18. So in this aspect, His transcendence is also imminent as He controls all that occurs in history and nature and the heavens declare His work and power.
God's Lordship is His covenant relation to the world He has made, particularly to the persons in it. It is not just a relationship of power, control and authority, but also of presence with His covenant partners. The heart of the covenant is a relationship of intimacy. The chief promise of the covenant is the Lord's words: I will be with you" ( Gen. 21:22; 26:28; 31:35; 39:3-4; Ex. 3:11-12, 15; 7:14; Mt. 1:23)
The fact that God is both transcendent and immanent at the same time is in itself unfathomable for us. Other things that are unfathomable for us is the inner workings of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit within the One Being of God. We do not know how God can be One "what" Divine Being and three "Whos" (distinct persons) and be perfectly unified in His nature. We cannot know how God brought about the everlasting covenant between the persons of the Godhead before anything was created. We do not know the conversations they had between themselves unless He reveals it as it in Ps. 110:1 or in the prayers Jesus spoke to the Father heard by the apostles.
The more God's transcendence is emphasized the less His immanence is understood and vise-versa. But the fullness of God's nature includes both of these in order for all of His attributes to be fully, perfectly, and eternally.
PT. 5
While there is so much more that can be said concerning the transcendence of God, I would like to end with these ideas:
*We are to avoid the mistake of radical immanence in our perception of God, because:
1. Evil and the demonic cannot be accounted for if God is in everything (panentheism) or that everything is God (pantheism).
2. Ethical evaluation of events is impossible if God is within all that exists.
3. God loses His personal dimension if He is not distinct from creation.
*We are to avoid the problem of radical transcendence in one's view of God.
1. No one can know or relate to God in a personal way if He is wholly other (Deism)
2. God does not have control of the universe if He is not working within it.
3. God appears unapproachable and disinterested if He is not involved with creation.
4. Prayer is meaningless if God has no contact with life He created.
In closing, God's transcendence is not antithetical to His immanence. It is the ground and assurance of it. If God did not transcend space, He could not be present everywhere at once. ( Ps. 139:7) Though we cannot know and relate to God perfectly, God, due to His transcendence knows use completely, even things that we cannot know about ourselves, and He relates to us with unsurpassed intimacy, perfect knowledge, and boundless love.
Those who disparage God's transcendence to stress His nearness only strike at the foundation of divine immanence.
Transcendence and immanence are both always true of God. He us amazingly great and by far the most beautiful Being to behold. One day we will see Him in all of His glory when we meet Jesus face to face, in whom the Whole Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) dwells bodily forever (immanence) and also experience how God fills the universe with His presence simultaneously.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, Great in power, great in glory, King of Heaven.
Probably a good thing that I abandoned that a to z business on attributes of God. Truth be told I don't really plan for very long at least in written form what is posted here unless there is a rare event where I copy some old study on the subject.
What I usually try to do is try to bring some spiritual concept; particularly what I feel through spiritual discernment has been revealed and try to put verses together to expound on that point. I am focusing on what is going on in the spiritual realm as to my best understanding.
What is lacking obviously in that aspect is the wisdom that those with other giftings have; and of course I am wary of saying anything that can't be clearly backed up scripturally; and not stating something which may be stemming from my emotions.
You probably know me as well or better than anyone on this site. A lot of times the personal struggles I go through are somewhat calmed by the distraction of deep spiritual matters especially related to prophecy which is also the calling I have felt for 40 years. I can say with conviction that it isn't fascination with the subject that I elaborate and dig into the matter; it is the sense of urgency as to the time we're in.
Admittedly I am a very emotional person. I don't enjoy discussing eternal damnation; but understanding the horror of such things like the mark of the beast in all honesty was like insanity; basically leading me at the time to grasp onto the Lord for His mercy. The situation involved a relationship which I had to get away from in college. I never had a vision of hell itself though.
When I feel filled with the Spirit it is usually around others and I can't predict it totally; most of the time I feel so burdened I feel I am barely breathing spritually.
Anyway I thought your post deserved a comment; and just expressing my gratitude.
Many years ago the Holy Spirit stuck John 17:3 deep into me. It speaks of eternal life being knowing God the Father and Jesus the Son. Since that time I have had a burning desire to know as much as I can about Him Scripturally while I live in this life so that I can worship Him in Spirit and in truth. But this verse also speaks of a knowing in the context of intimacy. Knowing God and being Known by God. This is a relational aspect of growing in knowledge of God the Father and Jesus Christ and both the intellectual and relational knowing are wrought in us by the Holy Spirit. I never tire of learning and growing in this respect in my walk with God,
I don't want to have a "small" view of Him that does not esteem His great worth and glory.
I hope your weekend is going well.
How are your parents doing? I have been praying for you and them and the situation facing them in these last years of their life.
I had the ultrasound today but will not know the results until the radiologist examines the scans next week. I was just praying the whole time that the scan would show normalcy in all of the organs the tech scanned: liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, and kidneys. Perhaps it is a good thing after all to have this done, as it gives a baseline moving forward into the rest of my years. Will keep you posted when I hear more.
IF I were to go to the place I stayed it is an air band b where I could stay for only about 25 a day but a few days here and there I'd have to stay somewhere else. I did notary and filing at one of the places that split off from my main job but the place where I stayed for full time work from about 2015 until 2021 still was amenable to me returning when I checked about 6 months ago.
I'd have to have help more than once a week in that case which my mom could arrange. The main thing is next week when she has her general physician appt as well as her old chiropractor. If she misses both of these it will be 2 months since she has left the house. She has had some days when her breathing is ok; and I got an exercise gadget which is a pedal for the bottom of her legs she is starting to use. For now the agency would help my dad when they are here for my mom in some capacity although he gets one hour of free care; biggest issue is the basement explaining how to wash clothes.
My biggest concern is my mother being hydrated enough; she has to hold back with meals but she still doesn't drink enough in my opinion. She said warm water helped her to go to the toilet and I ask often if I can get some for her but have to let her make decisions. I can't basically make her go to an institution even though she gave verbal affirmation on the power of attorney which for some odd reason I never signed nor was it read to me years ago. The attorney said I could force a social worker but I should be wary of doing so.
I figure someone in the church I talked to in the last 2 years will find a place for me to live if it exists. Anyway I suppose this is a prayer request since it is public. I am a notary and have one person who uses me exclusively but not often; I am going to try n the next couple weeks to hand more out; and in theory could use anywhere in Pennsylvania. Right now I live in Montgomery County; guess I can be that specific here.
Agape. Rich P
Thanks for the update. It will help me keep you in prayer.
My mom sadly didn't find who she thought that works on hiatal hearnias apparently the receptionist lied to try to get her into some program plan the office had the chiropractor himself asked where she heard that he did that. What a dissapoointment.
My mom is self administering what she can going between being very weak and eating what is a more normal amount such as today and finding it hard to breathe. I had to leave town the other week driving all the way to the state of Indiana over 12 hr drive all night and left a note explaining that they need more help. The process to at least get a home health care aide hopefully will work but the boss of the lady from the agency that came seemed to think my mom's policy didn't cover trips to stores just bathing care. The lady is going to check with the insurance company monday i am hoping this guy is off; the private person my mom met who she liked she tried to call again today with no response she supposedly had an emergency a couple weeks ago and never got back to her. Personally I think they both should be in a care facility at this point which this lady can help with too; my mom still has to file a claim if it works with the agency her insurance would cover enough for 5 hrs a week of help indefinitely.
My issue is my mothers unstable moods; crying and complaining then telling me she is stressed because I am stressed. I still have an escape plan where I would be out of town and come back occasionally to help if needed; if something comes up locally I pray it does with the church; either way not living here will cause my mom to be mad. I told her I wouldn't go with a note next time but living here peaceably under these conditions are at times unbearable. I also have my 45 day notice at my current job which means I may be out of work October.
I asked a friend in Pittsburgh if I could stay there on occasion as I could work at one of my former jobs that way.
pt 2
Before creation, there was only God. He existed forever as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in a unified oneness of being. He is and always is one being with three distinct "persons" or centers of consciousness or "subsistences" each sharing eternally the one divine essence (nature) fully and equally. Before creation, God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loved each other and were completely satisfied within the Being of the one Godhead. He was self-sufficient in all ways, in need of nothing outside of His one Being. No other being in creation is like this. And, since we are finite in all ways, we cannot wrap our minds fully around this quality of God. In this way, He is transcendent.
In His holiness, God is set apart from all He created, being transcendent and beyond the reach of any created being, especially in that humans are sinful and therefore rightly restrained from God's presence. God's glory in His transcendent holiness and majesty determines that no man can see the face of God and live. We will be consumed by His glory and wrath for sinfulness. He did not let Moses see His face (glory) in Exodus 33:20 because Moses was still in sinful flesh. The full revelation of God to mankind is reserved for the future. Now we know in part, but then we will know more fully. Isaiah 64:6-7 speaks to our unworthiness to be in fellowship with God and abide in His presence. "all of us have become like one who is unclean.."
God's holiness and righteousness forces God to turn His face away from what is sinful and keep Himself separate from anything and anyone sinful, impure, unclean, and less than perfect. But paradoxically, God does draw near to those who He redeems and it in this His immanence that any creature can have fellowship with Him and come to truly know Him. Jer. 23:23-24 speaks of this. It is also in His immanence that He controls and upholds the universe, in His work within history, time, and space, and in His plan to create and redeem.-- Pt. 3
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