6. EVERYWHERE versus NOT EVERYWHERE

INTELLIGENT ANSWER TO "SELF-CONTRADICTIONS OF THE BIBLE BY WILLIAM HENRY BURR"

The perceived "contradiction" is a matter of interpretation and context.

THEOLOGICAL DOCTRINES

6.

GOD IS EVERYWHERE PRESENT, SEES AND KNOWS ALL THINGS.

The eyes of the Lord are in every place. (Prov. 15:3.)

Whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. (Ps. 139:7-10.)

There is no darkness nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings. (Job 34:22, 21.)

GOD IS NOT EVERYWHERE PRESENT, NEITHER SEES NOR KNOWS ALL THINGS.

And the Lord came down to see the city and the town. (Gen. 11:5.)

And the Lord said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous, I will go down now and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and, if not, I will know. (Gen. 18:20, 21.)

And Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord, amongst the trees of the garden. (Gen. 3:8.)

The Bible teaches that God is both omniscient and omnipresent, meaning that he knows everything and is present everywhere. However, it also describes God as interacting with the world and his creation in a personal way.

The passages you've cited that state that God is everywhere present and sees and knows all things, such as Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 139:7-10, and Job 34:22, 21, are emphasizing God's omniscience and omnipresence. They are emphasizing the fact that God is all-knowing and all-present, He is aware of everything that happens in the universe and He is present everywhere.

On the other hand, the passages you've cited that state that God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all things, such as Genesis 11:5, 18:20, 21, and 3:8, are describing God's interactions with the world and his creation in a personal way. They are emphasizing that God is not a distant or detached being, but rather he is involved in the world, He comes down to see and inspect things, He comes to know about things, He communicates with his creation.

It's important to understand that these passages are not contradictory, but rather, they express different aspects of God's nature. Some passages emphasize God's omniscience and omnipresence, while others emphasize his personal interactions with the world and his creation.

These passages are not contradictory, but rather, they express different aspects of God's nature and his relationship with the world and his creation. They use different language and imagery to convey the same truths.

The passages that state that God is everywhere present and sees and knows all things, such as Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 139:7-10, and Job 34:22, 21, are emphasizing God's omniscience and omnipresence. These passages are emphasizing that God is all-knowing and all-present, He is aware of everything that happens in the universe and He is present everywhere. They convey the idea that God is always watching over and aware of everything that happens in the world, and that there is no place where one can hide from his presence.

On the other hand, the passages that state that God is not everywhere present, neither sees nor knows all things, such as Genesis 11:5, 18:20, 21, and 3:8, are describing God's interactions with the world and his creation in a personal way. They are emphasizing that God is not a distant or detached being, but rather he is involved in the world, He comes down to see and inspect things, He comes to know about things, He communicates with his creation. These passages convey the idea that God is not simply an observer of the world, but rather, he actively engages with it and is involved in the lives of his people.

It's important to note that God is infinite and eternal, and it's impossible for human beings to fully understand or comprehend his nature and ways. The Bible presents God as a complex and mysterious being, who is both transcendent and immanent, omniscient and omnipresent, but also personal and involved in the world. So, when the Bible talks about God's presence or knowledge in certain contexts, it does not mean that in other contexts He is not present or not knowledgeable.

In summary, these passages are not contradictory, but rather, they express different aspects of God's nature and his relationship with the world and his creation. They use different language and imagery to convey the same truths about God's infinite and eternal nature, His omniscience and omnipresence, as well as his personal interactions with the world and his creation. It is important to read the Bible in its entirety and in context, and to consult with scholars and theologians who can provide guidance and insight when interpreting difficult passages.

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