The question, “Where does God come from?” often comes up in theological discussions. However, this query isn’t correct as God exists beyond the confines of time, meaning He neither has a beginning nor an end. He didn’t appear out of nowhere, nor did He create Himself.
The Bible affirms God’s eternal existence in verses like Psalm 90:2 and Psalm 93:2. Our understanding of God’s existence is limited. Thus, the concept of God’s origin doesn’t apply, as He has always existed.
Key Takeaways
- God is described as eternal, having no beginning or end. Biblical verses like Psalm 90:2 and Psalm 93:2 support this. He exists beyond the confines of time.
- Different names for God, such as Elohim, Yahweh, and Adonai, each reflect unique aspects of His nature and role. Elohim is linked to His creative power, while Yahweh is so sacred that it’s often unspoken, highlighting God’s revered status.
- God is distinguished from gods of other religions through His humility, personal relationships with followers, and the concept of the Trinity. Unlike other deities often depicted as self-centered, God is portrayed as loving and not dependent on His creation for fulfillment.
Contents
What Does The Word “God” Mean?
The term “god” originates from the Greek word for “to pour” and may have incorporated elements from other languages and civilizations. The concept of God predates this term.
In Hebrew, there are various names for God. The first of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3) forbids worshiping any god except the one true God and uses the term “Elohim[1].” However, “Elohim” is also used to refer to the one true God, not just false deities.
The term “god” is often used to denote divine or political authorities. Other names for God found in both the Old and New Testaments include Jehovah/Yahweh (Genesis 2:8), Adonai (Genesis 15:2), Lord, and Master.
The Name Of God: Elohim
The Bible begins with the Hebrew term for God, “Elohim.” When praying to Elohim, we remember His role as the creator of the universe. The name “Elohim” is often associated with God’s creative force, authority, and sovereignty, although the connection may not be immediately apparent.
During His crucifixion, Jesus Christ used a variation of the name. He cried out, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which translates as “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—at about the ninth hour. Here, “Eloi” is a variation of “El” or “Eloah,” some of the earliest names for deities in the world.
Yahweh
In the Bible, “Yahweh” represents the Hebrew Tetragrammaton “YHWH,” used by Moses in Exodus, and is composed of the consonants Yod, Heh, Waw, and Heh.
The term “Elohim,” meaning “God” in Hebrew, became more popular as Judaism evolved into a global religion. This term was used to emphasize the universal sovereignty of Israel’s God over all others.
The divine name “Yahweh” was considered too sacred to be spoken aloud. Therefore, in the synagogue liturgy, it was replaced with “Adonai,” which translates to “My Lord.”
What Or Who Is God?
God, the creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1), is the source of all life (Romans 11:36). Every living creature depends on God for existence, while God, being limitless, is self-sustaining.
God is not only the Creator but also our Father. Unlike the deist viewpoint, which suggests God created the world and then remained uninvolved, the belief here is that God continues to be actively involved in the world. He didn’t just create everything and let the world run its course; He incorporated Himself into the story.
Where Did God Come From?
We typically perceive time as linear, represented on timelines that run from left (past) to right (future). These timelines often depict the progression of nations, individuals, and plans, with a clear start and finish. However, God transcends this linear timeline. He has no beginning or end, existing eternally outside our human concept of time.
No One Invented God
The Bible asserts that God is eternal and uncreated. He exists beyond the constraints of time and space. He has always been and will always be. The title “God” is inherent to His nature and not bestowed upon Him by a higher power. The concept of God’s fatherhood is unique and doesn’t imply a higher authority. The Bible emphasizes this eternal aspect of God’s nature.
God Is Uncaused
In the Christian faith, God is presumed to exist eternally and uncaused. If God’s eternal existence is not acknowledged, then one must infer that matter has existed for all eternity and developed naturally. This leads to a philosophical choice: either believe in a self-existent intelligent entity (God) or in an eternally existing matter that has evolved.
What Is The Difference Between God And Other Gods?
How do we distinguish God from the deities of other religions? Some groups suggest that these deities have been omnipotent or omniscient since the universe’s inception. Yet the unique aspect of God is His relationship with His followers.
God Communicates With His Followers
The unique aspect of God, compared to the deities of other religions, is His relationship with His followers. As a Christian, you engage in a communicative interaction with God, who can hear and respond to your prayers.
The Christian God Is Humble
Mythological gods, known for their egos, could obliterate you for disrespect. For example, Zeus was believed to punish evildoers and oathbreakers. If Zeus were real, we would be in danger. However, God, unlike Zeus, is notably humble.
The Most Ideal Illustration Of Love Is The Christian God
Other gods are notorious for their self-centeredness, focusing only on their own growth. However, God differs, showing concern for you, your future, and your heavenly rights.
Personal Relationship With His Creation
God seeks a personal bond with His creation. Unlike other gods, He would assume human traits and endure a dreadful death for this interaction. This is not observed in other religions.
Religious Texts For Our God
The religious writings of our God are more appropriate in terms of science, history, and prophecy than the writings of any other religion. Text messaging does not provide absolute confirmation of someone’s existence, but it does increase the likelihood.
The Christian God Is Not Dependent On His Creation
Other religions encounter a few doctrinal problems. If there is just one God, they must be bored or lonely to create. As a result, God would become reliant on his creation. Since there cannot be a single potent being among many gods, their strength is limited. However, if God is one but has three individuals within Him (the Trinity), He continues to be omnipotent and produces out of love rather than out of need.
Summary
God, who is eternal and omnipotent, has always existed. If matter isn’t eternal and can’t create itself, it must have been created by a supernatural entity. Christians refer to this entity as “the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where Did God Originate From?
God originated from nothing and has always existed. He is eternal and omnipotent, with no beginning or end. If matter isn’t eternal and can’t create itself, it implies that a supernatural entity must have created it. Christians refer to this entity as “the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28).
How Does God Have No Beginning?
God has no beginning and no end. He has always existed and will continue to exist forever. The concept of time, with its beginnings and ends, doesn’t apply to Him.
What Was God Doing Before Creation?
Before creation, God existed in eternity. As an omnipotent and eternal entity, God transcends time and space. The concept of “doing” something “before” a certain time doesn’t apply to Him in the way it does to temporal beings.