Job 11:7—Can God be known by humans?

Problem: Job seems to imply that God cannot be known by human reason. Paul also declared that God’s judgments are “unsearchable ... and His ways past finding out” (Rom. 11:33). On the other hand, the Bible declares that God has revealed Himself to all people (Rom. 1:20) so that they “are without excuse” (v. 20). Indeed, the Bible is said to be a special revelation of God by which we can know Him and serve Him (2 Tim. 3:16–17).

Solution: God cannot be known directly in this life, nor can He be known completely. For “now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Cor. 13:12). God can be known “by the things that are made” (Rom. 1:19), but He cannot be known in Himself. The following contrast summarizes the ways God can and cannot be known:

While “no one has seen God at any time [in His essence]” (John 1:18), nonetheless, His only begotten Son has revealed Him. Thus, Jesus could say, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.