Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian Theology
Category 1: God’s Nature vs. Christ’s Earthly Life
1. Introduction
Scripture declares that God is invisible—not accessible to human sight or perception. “No man hath seen God at any time” (John 1:18). Yet in the person of Jesus Christ, God was visibly present, interacting with human beings, seen, touched, and known. This paradox raises a deep theological question: How can the invisible God be seen in human form without compromising His divine nature?
2. God Is Invisible
2.1 Scriptural Foundations
- 1 Timothy 1:17 – “Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible…”
- Colossians 1:15 – “Who is the image of the invisible God…”
- Exodus 33:20 – “Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.”
- John 1:18 – “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son… hath declared him.”
2.2 Theological Significance
- God’s essence is spiritual and transcendent, beyond the boundaries of physical form (John 4:24).
- He is not visible because He is not confined to the physical realm.
- His invisibility protects human frailty from being overwhelmed by divine glory.
3. Christ Was Seen
3.1 Scriptural Witness
- John 1:14 – “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory…”
- 1 John 1:1–2 – “That which was from the beginning… which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon…”
- John 14:9 – Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.”
- Hebrews 1:3 – “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person…”
3.2 Nature of the Visibility
- In Jesus, the invisible was made visible through a true human body.
- The visibility of Christ was not a metaphor—it was physical and historical.
- Christ revealed the character, will, and essence of God in a form humans could receive.
4. Theological Resolution: The Image of the Invisible
4.1 Incarnation as Revelation
- Jesus is the visible image (εἰκών, eikōn) of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).
- In the Incarnation, God did not cease to be invisible, but clothed Himself in flesh so He could dwell among us.
4.2 Two Natures, One Person
- Christ is fully divine and fully human.
- His human nature made God knowable in time and space, without diminishing His divinity.
| Divine Attribute | Human Experience | Theological Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| Invisible and infinite | Seen, touched, heard | Through the Incarnation, the Word took on flesh and became accessible |
5. Historical Theological Perspectives
5.1 Early Church Fathers
- Athanasius: “He became what we are so that He might make us what He is.”
- Irenaeus: Christ reveals the Father—“the invisible becomes visible and intelligible in the Son.”
5.2 Chalcedonian Definition
- Confirms that Christ is one person with two natures, divine and human.
- He is not a mere prophet who speaks for God; He is God in visible form.
5.3 Reformation and Modern Thought
- Calvin: God accommodated Himself to our weakness through the visible Christ.
- Karl Barth: In Christ, God has spoken and shown Himself definitively.
6. Doctrinal and Devotional Implications
6.1 Revelation and Relationship
- God is no longer distant or unreachable—He has drawn near in Christ (Hebrews 1:1–2).
- The Incarnation invites personal encounter and discipleship.
6.2 Worship Rooted in Christ
- True worship now focuses on Christ as the full revelation of God (John 4:23).
- The mystery of the invisible God made visible should deepen reverence and awe.
6.3 Evangelistic Clarity
- The gospel proclaims a knowable, incarnate God, who entered history visibly (Acts 17:30–31).
- Christ remains the perfect lens through which we know the Father.
7. Conclusion
The paradox of God’s invisibility and Christ’s visibility finds its resolution in the Incarnation. Jesus did not make the invisible God less divine, but rather manifested His divine glory in a form suited for human sight and salvation. In beholding Christ, we behold the Father—not through diminished glory, but through glory veiled in flesh for our redemption.
References
- The Holy Bible, King James Version (KJV)
- Athanasius. On the Incarnation
- Irenaeus. Against Heresies
- Calvin, J. Institutes of the Christian Religion
- Karl Barth. Church Dogmatics
- Council of Chalcedon (AD 451)