Divine Paradoxes: Resolving Seeming Contradictions in Christian Theology
Category 2: Divine Attributes vs. Human Limitations
1. Introduction
The Bible proclaims that God is light, a metaphor for holiness, truth, and life (1 John 1:5). Yet, during Christ’s crucifixion, the Gospel writers record a supernatural darkness covering the land for three hours (Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:44–45). This apparent contradiction raises a profound theological tension: How can the Light of the world be shrouded in darkness?
2. God Is Light
2.1 Scriptural Declarations
- “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5)
- “The Lord is my light and my salvation.” (Psalm 27:1)
- “In him was life; and the life was the light of men.” (John 1:4)
- “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach.” (1 Timothy 6:16)
2.2 Theological Implications
- Light represents purity, truth, and revelation.
- God’s light is not only moral but also ontological—His very being is luminous and life-giving.
- Darkness, in contrast, often symbolises judgement, separation, or ignorance.
3. Christ Was Enshrouded in Darkness
3.1 Crucifixion Event
- “Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour.” (Matthew 27:45)
- This three-hour darkness occurred as Jesus bore the sin of the world.
- It was not a natural eclipse but a divine act of cosmic significance.
3.2 Symbolism of the Darkness
- The darkness represented:
- Divine judgement being poured out (Amos 8:9–10),
- The withdrawal of manifest fellowship with the Father (Matthew 27:46),
- The weight of sin and curse Christ bore (Galatians 3:13).
4. Theological Resolution: The Light Entered Our Darkness
4.1 Christ the Light Did Not Cease Being Light
- Even in darkness, Christ remained the sinless, radiant Son of God (Hebrews 4:15).
- The darkness did not overcome the light (John 1:5) but was a temporary veil.
4.2 The Darkness as Substitutionary Judgement
- The light of God’s favour was eclipsed, not extinguished.
- Christ took our darkness so we could live in His light (Isaiah 9:2; Colossians 1:13).
4.3 Fulfilment of Prophecy
- Echoes Exodus 10:21–23, where darkness fell over Egypt—judgement fell on the Son, the Firstborn.
- Psalm 22:1 and Isaiah 53 are fulfilled in His forsakenness and suffering.
5. Historical and Theological Reflections
- Athanasius: Christ entered our darkness to overcome it from within.
- Martin Luther: Christ experienced “God-forsakenness” so believers never would.
- John Calvin: The darkness testified to the seriousness of divine wrath being satisfied.
6. Clarifying the Paradox
| Divine Attribute | Apparent Contradiction |
|---|---|
| God is Light | Yet Christ was enveloped in supernatural darkness |
| Light signifies life | Yet darkness marked His death |
| God reveals Himself | Yet He veiled Himself on the Cross |
Resolution: The Light of God was not extinguished but hidden, bearing our darkness, so that we might become children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
7. Devotional and Doctrinal Implications
7.1 For Worship
- The Cross is not only a place of pain, but also of profound revelation—Light in darkness.
7.2 For Assurance
- Because Christ entered our darkness, no darkness remains unredeemable (2 Corinthians 4:6).
7.3 For Daily Life
- Even when we do not see the light, the Light remains.
- Suffering does not mean the absence of God, but may be His deepest work.
8. Conclusion
The paradox that God is Light, yet Christ was enshrouded in darkness encapsulates the redemptive heart of the Gospel. In that hour of deepest gloom, the radiance of divine love shone most profoundly. Christ, the Light of the world, entered our darkest hour—so that we might forever walk in the light of life.
References
- The Holy Bible, King James Version
- Augustine, Confessions
- Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion
- Luther, Theology of the Cross
- Athanasius, On the Incarnation
- Packer, J.I., Knowing God