The Name and Understanding of God

The term "God" is a human construct. Jesus, for instance, never referred to His Father using this term; instead, He chose "Abba" or "Father." The name "God" was given to Him by humanity, while His self-identification is encapsulated in "I Am Who Am" or Yahweh.

Many famous atheists misinterpret God. For example, Bill Maher once criticized Barack Obama for believing in what he termed an "invisible friend." Such views—referring to God as simply an "old man in the sky"—do not accurately reflect the divine being.

A fitting description of God is simply that “God is.” This phrase encapsulates our understanding that He is the foundation of all existence, embodying goodness, truth, and wisdom. Our God is both immanent and transcendent.

Misconceptions About God

A prevalent misconception is that God is merely a higher version of nature. This is inaccurate. In a recent discussion with my confirmation class, I referenced the film Interstellar, highlighting that if we acknowledge God as the creator, then we must understand that His creation encompasses not only Earth but also realms far beyond our imagination.

The black hole depicted in Interstellar serves as a reminder of the vastness of the universe—far greater than anything humans had previously imagined. This illustrates that God, as the source of all being, transcends our limited views. To think of God as merely an elderly figure in the sky is a gross oversimplification.

The Intersection of Science and Faith

As a Catholic, I embrace the principles of evolution. A critical insight often overlooked by non-believers is that our comprehension of the universe—and indeed, of God—is continually expanding. To assert that God does not exist implies a level of evolution and understanding that, frankly, we do not possess.

God is beyond our full comprehension. As Christians, we believe in one God expressed in three persons. This complexity signifies that our understanding of God is fundamentally limited, and while we may attempt to describe Him, we can only seek a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus as the Human Manifestation of God

Jesus serves as the human incarnation of God, allowing us to connect with the divine in a way we can grasp. Similar to how Interstellar presents complex dimensions in a comprehensible manner, Jesus makes the divine accessible to us.

It’s essential to recognize that much of what is taught about God can be inadequate or misrepresentative. In various online forums, I've observed a strong resentment toward a version of God that many perceive as vengeful. If this is the God you envision, then I must agree that neither of us worships that figure.

Evolution of Understanding

Historically, concepts like spontaneous generation—where flies were thought to arise from decaying meat—have been debunked through scientific inquiry. This demonstrates that as our scientific knowledge evolves, so too must our theological perspectives.

Many reject the notion of God, believing that He harbors disdain toward them. They opt to ignore His existence, asserting that if this is the nature of God, they choose not to believe. The real question, however, is not whether God exists—science may never fully answer that—but rather, is He the being that people describe?

I maintain that God exists, and our understanding of Him is ever-growing, paralleling our expanding knowledge of the universe through science. Thus, I might not believe in the same conception of God that skeptics reject.

The Question of Faith

Claiming that God does not exist suggests an assumption of complete evolution—that since we cannot see God, He must not be real. Conversely, affirming God's existence requires a continuous quest to understand Him better. To claim that we can fully comprehend God is to overestimate our own faculties.

This is why prayer and communication with God are vital; they deepen our knowledge and relationship with the divine.

So, when someone tells me they do not believe in a God who punishes for minor transgressions, my response is simple: “Neither do I.”

RJCarr is the author of Encounter Christ in Your Humanity. If you enjoyed this article, consider showing your appreciation with a cup of coffee! He podcasts at catholicaudiomedia.com.