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Using Unfamiliar Cultural Examples to Illustrate God's Universality

The concept of God's universality is deeply embedded in biblical texts, asserting that God's nature, wisdom, and authority extend to all peoples and all creation. This universality is not merely a theological abstraction but is demonstrated through various divine attributes and actions described throughout Scripture.

One fundamental aspect of God's universality is His wisdom, which is depicted as perfect, mighty, infinite, and unsearchable [2]. The prophet Job declares, "God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend" [3]. This divine wisdom is not limited to a specific group or region but is universal, as Job 28:24 and Daniel 2:22 affirm [2]. The Apostle Paul further emphasizes this in Romans 11:33, stating, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!" [2]. This infinite wisdom is also manifested in God's works, particularly in the creation of the world [2, 13]. Calvin, in his commentary on Genesis, notes that "the infinite wisdom of God is displayed in the admirable structure of heaven and earth," acknowledging that human capacity is too limited to fully grasp such magnitude [13].

The Bible consistently portrays God as the sole divine being, whose authority and knowledge are without equal. The Hebrew terms for God, 'El, 'Eloah, and 'Elohim, all convey the idea of strength and divinity [1]. The plural form 'Elohim, though grammatically plural, is often understood in Hebrew to express the intensity or fullness of the singular idea, particularly in the context of God's appellations, signifying a unity that embraces all attributes [12]. This singular, supreme nature is underscored in 1 Kings 8:60, which states, "so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other!" [6]. This declaration highlights God's exclusive claim to divinity over all nations.

God's foreknowledge is another attribute demonstrating His universality. This attribute, though beyond full human comprehension, signifies His infinite knowledge of all things, past, present, and future [4]. Acts 15:18 states, "Known to God from eternity are all His works" [2]. This comprehensive knowledge extends to the actions and destinies of all humanity, as seen in passages like Acts 2:23 and Romans 8:29 [4].

The universality of sin, as presented in Scripture, further necessitates a universal God capable of addressing it. Paul, in Romans 1:18–3:20, argues for the universal sinfulness of both Gentiles and Jews, concluding that all are "under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" [10]. This pervasive human condition, where "all human beings are born sinners" [7], requires a divine solution that transcends cultural or ethnic boundaries. Sin is described as a deliberate act of rebellion against God [9], a "love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters" [8]. Even after conversion, individuals may still commit actual sins [11]. This universal problem of sin underscores the need for a universally applicable divine remedy.

The manifestation of God's wisdom through the Church is also presented as universal. Ephesians 3:10 states that "to the intent, that nowe vnto principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the Church the manifolde wisedome of God" [5]. This suggests that the Church, composed of believers from all backgrounds, serves as a vehicle through which God's diverse wisdom is revealed to both earthly and heavenly beings. This revelation is not confined to a single culture but is intended for all.

The ultimate goal of God's redemptive plan is that "every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, or absolute governor, and thus glorify God the Father" [14]. This confession is envisioned as coming from "all those before mentioned," encompassing "things in heaven," "things on earth," and "things under the earth" [14]. This vision of universal acknowledgment of Christ's lordship points to a God whose dominion and salvific work extend to every corner of creation and every human being. The Psalmist anticipates a future where "others shall be brought to acknowledge and worship God; the fat ones, or the rich as well as the poor, the helpless who cannot keep themselves alive, shall together unite in celebrating God's delivering power, and transmit to unborn people the records of His grace" [15]. This prophecy speaks to a universal ingathering of worshippers, transcending social status and generational divides.

The biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation, consistently presents a God whose attributes and actions are not limited by human constructs or cultural boundaries. He is the God of all creation, whose wisdom, power, and redemptive purposes encompass all humanity.

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: God — (A.S. and Dutch God; Dan. Gud; Ger. Gott), the name of the Divine Being. It is the rendering (1) of the Hebrew 'El, from a word meaning to be strong; (2) of 'Eloah_, plural _'Elohim. The singular form, Eloah, is used only in poetry. The plural form is more commonly used in all parts of the Bible, The Hebrew word Jehovah (q.v.), the only other word generally employed to denote the Supreme Being, is uniformly rendered in the Authorized Version by "LORD," printed in small capitals. The existence of God is taken for granted in the Bible. There is nowhere any argume”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Wisdom of God, The — Is one of his attributes -- 1Sa 2:3; Job 9:4. Described as Perfect. -- Job 36:4; 37:16. Mighty. -- Job 36:5. Universal. -- Job 28:24; Da 2:22; Ac 15:18. Infinite. -- Ps 147:5; Ro 11:33. Unsearchable. -- Isa 40:28; Ro 11:33. Wonderful. -- Ps 139:6. Beyond human comprehension. -- Ps 139:6. Incomparable. -- Isa 44:7; Jer 10:7. Underived. -- Job 21:22; Isa 40:14. The gospel contains treasures of -- 1Co 2:7. Wisdom of saints is derived from -- Ezr 7:25. All human wisdom derived from -- Da 2:1. Saints ascribe to him -- Da 2:20. Exhibited in His works. ”
  3. Job “God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend. -- Job 37:5”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Foreknowledge of God — Acts 2:23; Rom. 8:29; 11:2; 1 Pet. 1:2), one of those high attributes essentially appertaining to him the full import of which we cannot comprehend. In the most absolute sense his knowledge is infinite (1 Sam. 23:9-13; Jer. 38:17-23; 42:9-22, Matt. 11:21, 23; Acts 15:18).”
  5. Ephesians “Ephesians 3:10 (Geneva1599) — To the intent, that nowe vnto principalities and powers in heauenly places, might be knowen by the Church the manifolde wisedome of God,”
  6. I Kings “I Kings 8:60 (BSB) — so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other!”
  7. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  8. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  9. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  10. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  11. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
  12. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.8: is in the Hebrew language a widely extended use of the plural which expresses the intensity of the idea contained in the singular.” After numerous references, which prove this point, he proceeds to argue, that “if, in relation to earthly objects, all that serves to represent a whole order of beings is brought before the mind by means of the plural form, we might anticipate a more extended application of this method of distinguishing in the appellations of God, in whose being and attributes there is everywhere a unity which embraces”
  13. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 4.1: Argument. Since the infinite wisdom of God is displayed in the admirable structure of heaven and earth, it is absolutely impossible to unfold The History of the Creation of the World in terms equal to its dignity. For while the measure of our capacity is too contracted to comprehend things of such magnitude, our tongue is equally incapable of giving a full and substantial account of them. As he, however, deserves praise, who, with modesty and reverence, applies himself to the consideration of the works of God, although he attain le”
  14. Philippians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Philippians 2:11: And that every tongue should confess - That all those before mentioned should acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, or absolute governor, and thus glorify God the Father, who has exalted this human nature to this state of ineffable glory, in virtue of its passion, death, resurrection, and the atonement which it has made, by which so many attributes of the Divine nature have become illustrated, the Divine law magnified and made honorable, and an eternal glory provided for man. Others by things in heaven understand the holy angels; by things on earth, human bein”
  15. Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 22:27: His case illustrates God's righteous government. Beyond the existing time and people, others shall be brought to acknowledge and worship God; the fat ones, or the rich as well as the poor, the helpless who cannot keep themselves alive, shall together unite in celebrating God's delivering power, and transmit to unborn people the records of His grace.”
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