Attribute of God’s Knowledge

The etymology of the word omniscience is from a Latin origin, which is “omniscientia.” In Latin, omni means all; together with the word scientia would be all knowledge, or all knowledgeable; or some may prefer omniscience.

The knowledge of God is truly omniscient. The knowledge of God is completely perfect in and of itself. Within the eternal existence of the triune unity between God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; there is perfect knowledge without flaw. There is no confusion between them, no learning of each other between them, and there is not any inconsistency or contradiction between them. The eternal mind of the Godhead knows all things from eternity to the things not yet done in this universe, on earth, and in heaven. There is no spontaneity in the knowledge of God, and God does not think of concepts or plans at any given time or moment; because such words or concepts conflict with the eternal mind of God, which necessitates no reference points to mark when God thought of anything. God is omniscient; there is no other form of knowledge outside of God’s knowledge or being. There is nothing that God does not know. God from eternity has always known all things, so there is nothing God can ever learn; either outside of Himself, and neither within Himself. Since the knowledge of God is perfect within Himself; If God ever learns anything, then that knowledge would have been gained as result of whatever He created. God learning anything from His own creation is inconsistent with the last two attributes of God’s solitariness and decrees; furthermore, it is contrary to scripture. God learning anything at all means that God’s knowledge is not perfect and capable of error, or mistakes. Therefore, God learning anything from His creation means that God made a mistake, and God forbid that is ever uttered by anyone of us.

Nineteenth century principle of Princeton Seminary; Pastor and Systematic Theologian: Archibald Alexander Hodge, defines the knowledge of God in his book, “Outlines of Systematic Theology,” as being “independent, it does in no way depend upon his creatures or their actions, but solely upon his own infinite intuition of all things possible in the light of his own reason, and of all things actual and future in the light of his own eternal purpose,” (Hodge).

By this time; those of you who have studied the prior two attributes in our series, may realize that this doctrine of God’s omniscience have something in common with the last two attributes. The likeness is that they are all centered on the self sufficient ontological existence of God alone. Since the attribute of God’s solitariness reveals to us that, God from all eternity necessitates nothing besides His triune deity; then there is nothing besides Himself that can be made a contingent or conditional factor for His decision to create. Subsequent to the attribute of God’s solitariness was the attribute of God’s decrees. In His divine decrees we learned that God has decreed all things from eternity, and all of God’s decrees are by reason of His own council, His own will, His own pleasure, His own wisdom; and His decrees are in no shape or form conditioned on anything outside Himself to include any contingency factors within His creation of heaven or earth. Now the attribute of God’s knowledge or omniscience is similar to the last two attributes on the basis that His knowledge is perfect within Himself alone. What is being revealed here; is biblical or theological consistency, which gives or raises credibility to the doctrines and interpretation of scripture.

One of the greatest concepts from this doctrine; is knowing that

God and Christ are the source of wisdom and knowledge:

Isaiah 40:28 Have you not known? Have you not heard, that the everlasting God, Jehovah, the Creator of the ends of the earth, does not grow weak nor weary? There is no searching of His understanding.

Job 37:16 Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wonderful works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

Daniel 2:22 He reveals the deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him.

Many of God’s creatures covet the ungodly things of this world. Some desire things of necessity, but some want an excessive amount as a result of their lust and greed. It is a greater significance to covet from God the deep and secret things He chooses to reveal.

Ephesians 3:8,9 This grace is given to me who am less than the least of all saints to preach the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ among the nations, 9 and to bring to light what is the fellowship of the mystery which from eternity has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.

Colossians 2:3 in whom (Christ) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

God freely gives knowledge to His creation, and there is no necessity from seeking knowledge anywhere other than God

God is not selfish, egotistic, or egocentric with His knowledge. He created humans in His image with intelligence capable of reason, logic, rationality, and the ability to comprehend moral and ethical concepts; which sets us humans apart from the animals God created.

We see in Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground Jehovah God caused to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food. The tree of life also was in the middle of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.

God told Adam in chapter 2:17 but you shall not eat of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. For in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.

Adam had a complete and full understanding of God’s command regarding the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Adam was not yet in his fallen nature; his mind was not yet tainted with sin. His mind was sound and sober. In Chapter three the serpent who is the Devil; the fallen angel and leader of all the fallen, deceived Eve into disobeying God in:

Genesis 3:4-6 And the serpent said to the woman, You shall not surely die, 5 for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil. 6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

So cunning was this serpent to convince eve that, God is merely attempting to restrain her from the hidden knowledge of God. He convinces her that God is merely making and idle threat, and would never kill His creation. We have the same line of reasoning today; for example those who deny the doctrine of hell. They tell us that a loving God would never cast anyone into eternal torment. To this date the doctrine of hell is so well established by sound theologians, that the apparent reason someone may deny the validity of the doctrine of hell is biased idiocy.

Information regarding the dialog between Eve and the serpent is scarce, but just enough to understand the basic dialog. The serpents dialog closely reflects a method of argumentation, which is used by modern Christian presuppositional apologists; which a quality is to destroy the very presuppositions of someone’s argument, reasoning, or worldview. The serpent destroyed a germane presupposition; which was the consequence of death resulting from disobedience. The fear of God is now eliminated, and without the fear of God people will believe anything. Eve was told that her eyes were closed as a result of God, and her eyes will be open knowing extraordinary knowledge that will make her as a god or God himself. Apart from the devils cunning philosophical deception; the fruit itself was somehow appeasing to the sensory perceptions, and Eve took and ate and gave to Adam.

1Timothy 2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.

Seek no knowledge apart from the knowledge of Christ

2Corinthians 11:3 But I fear lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the simplicity due to Christ.

Be content with the revelations of Christ. Do not fall into deception by seeking extracurricular knowledge from vain and cunning sources; such as, occultism, new age philosophy, theosophy, or esoteric knowledge. All the knowledge we will ever need is found in the source of all wisdom; Christ alone in the scriptures alone. This is not to imply that, we ought not to study out knowledge of other religions, heresies, or the occult; however, first be completely rooted in the knowledge of Christ. Have your foundation in Christ firmly dug into the soil, where no earthquake can break it. If anyone desires wisdom, then all one has to do is pray for it. Whether it is wisdom for understanding God, the scriptures, or everyday life; so long as it is for the glory of God; God will give a measure to man according to God’s pleasure.

Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all workmanship.

God gave knowledge of cutting and design of precious metals and wood to Bezaleel and his men for the purpose of building the tabernacle. Likewise; never ought we to refrain from asking God to give us knowledge and wisdom for everyday affairs involving our daily duties.

Proverbs 2:3-5 yea, if you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding; 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures, 5 then you shall understand the fear of Jehovah and find the knowledge of God.

Romans 11:23 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!

Psalms 147:5 Great is our LORD, and of great power; There is no limit to His understanding.

2 Chronicles 1:10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before this people. For who can judge this Your great people?

God abhors the arrogant pride of knowledgeable man:

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of Jehovah is to hate evil; I hate pride, and arrogance, and the evil way, and the wicked mouth.

Psalms 94:4 They gush; they speak impudent things; all the workers of iniquity speak proudly.

1Samuel 2:3 Talk no more so very proudly. Remove arrogance out of your mouth, for Jehovah is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.

Daniel 4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and exalt and honor the King of heaven, all whose works are truth and His ways judgment. And those who walk in pride He is able to humble.

Apparently many intellectuals consider themselves atheist; they puff themselves in their pride of vain knowledge. Their knowledge is vain because, though they may understand the metaphysical concepts of the universe given to them by God; they do not take account for their God as the origin of their belief. They cannot give an account for the reason they believe what they believe without God as an absolute. In their own wisdom they are fools lost in an empty worldview without absolutes. They consider the theist as a close minded mind who only holds back the progress of intelligent humanity. In reality it is the atheist who is the close minded fool; because he only has carnal wisdom and closes his mind to the extraordinary supernatural knowledge that can only be found and given by the true God.

As for the Christians; even they can be found with pride and arrogance as a result of in depth theological knowledge. Never look down on our brothers for not being as theologically astute as you. Remember that we only have it because God Himself decided to reveal it. No revelation was ever gained by our own volition, but every good gift is from heaven above. Remain humble before the Lord; before the Lord humbles you.

Our God is an awesome God. Ask of our God anything for His glories sake. If there is a confusing biblical matter; pray, pray, and pray again for clarity and revelation. Pray that God keeps you in the truth. Pray that God gives you discernment of truth and error. Pray that God keeps you from deceit. Pray that God makes your mind a sharp instrument to cut through the vanity of vain philosophy. Pray that God give you a tongue sharper than a sword to cut through the lies. Pray that God gives you the ability to take every opposing thought captive to the mind of Christ. Pray that God gives you the knowledge of our God. There is nothing you can ask that will surprise or anger Him; so long as it is done with a sincere heart and for the purpose of God’s glorious purpose and will. Finally, concerning the deep knowledge of God; it is “the glory of God is to hide a thing; but the honor of kings is to search out a matter,” Proverbs 2:3.