Ash Wednesday and God Becoming Human
It might surprise you to know that not all parts of the Bible are theologically correct. For example, most people consider God omniscient, meaning God knows everything. I’ve even heard an atheist say, “If God existed, then he would know everything.” Omniscience, along with omnipotence and omnipresence, are three of the main attributes that make God God — at least in most traditions. So why would God say something like this?
I must go down and see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me; and if not, I will know.
(Gen 18:21)
What do you mean you will know? Aren’t you God?
In this scene, God is speaking to Abraham to discuss plans for Sodom and Gomorrah. God has heard people cry against the rampant injustice and violence there but apparently needed to come down to visit there and see if it was as bad as God heard. How can God talk as if God doesn’t already know? It might not make sense logically, but I think there could be a reason for this.
First, let’s start with what it means to know something. The word for “know” in Hebrew is yada`. It has many different nuances, like “know” in English.
- Intellectually. You know it as a fact, like 2+2=4.
- How to. It’s possible to know 2+2=4 simply as a fact you memorize and store in your brain. But if you know how to add, you understand it at a deeper level.
- Experience. Maybe you have several duplexes…
