When someone uses words like “the self-existence of” anything, it sounds like something philosophical and esoteric. And, with that comment, my philosopher friends just cringe and think, “No one appreciates philosophers.” If I had used the term “
aseity,” the reaction might be even more quizzical: “What … ? Get real, man. Let’s just talk about fly fishing or the coming World Series.”
For those of us who believe that God truly exists and truly cares about His creation, God’s self-existence matters — if it exists within the teachings of the Bible itself. As human beings we can involve ourselves in unending speculation and preoccupy ourselves with reading “the white spaces,” rather than simply looking at the print. Philosophical speculation, however, normally falls within the realm of “what if …” — not absolute truth. And, yes, I realize that we’ve just passed through an era (indeed, might still be in it) of nearly wholesale denial of absolute truth. But, I digress. Let’s get on with the topic at hand.
God is self-existent. Why? Because, as God He was not created. He has no source, no maker, no origin. Instead, He Himself is the Creator of all else. God exists
from all eternity and
to all eternity. Scripture opens with “In the beginning God …” (Genesis 1:1). Moses doesn’t write about the origin of God, but about the origin of the universe. He assumes the existence of God. We might also look at God’s self-description to Moses: “I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14). God doesn’t defend His existence; He declares His existence. No one else and nothing else caused itself or themselves to exist. Everything and everyone has an origin — except God. He is the only uncaused Cause — something you might have heard in either a theology class or a philosophy class.
The prophet Isaiah provides us with much needed help with regard to why the self-existence of God matters, how it impacts our lives — assuming we believe in a God who truly exists:
- God alone is God — there is no other. Isaiah 45:5-7, 14, 21-22
- God alone is Creator. Isaiah 45:18; 48:12-13
- God’s word alone is true and based upon who He is. Isaiah 45:23
- God alone is Lord. Isaiah 45:23
- God alone is completely holy and righteous. Isaiah 6:3; 40:25; 45:24
- God alone can be trusted completely. Isaiah 44:8
- God alone can save us from our sins and forgive us. Isaiah 45:21-22
In other words, God’s self-existence makes Him the sole determiner of absolute truth — truth we can depend upon. God is someone we can trust completely. He is always there. Therefore, He will not leave us or forsake us the way others do. Since He alone is completely holy and righteous, He sets the standard for truth, for holiness, and for righteousness or justice. God is the only one who doesn’t fail, default on a promise, run out when trouble comes, lie, or die. He provides us with everything we look for in the character of someone we can rely on. And, that even extends to our great need to be completely forgiven.
Perhaps the writer to the Hebrews summarized all of this best by concluding that our hope finds an anchor in God (Hebrews 6:13-20). That’s why the self-existence of God matters. He provides hope in the midst of a world that is too often rocked by relativism, confusion, hypocrisy, hatred, rejection, violence, and death.
