![]() ![]() The Bible does not draw these distinctions in the abstract. In treating the concept philosophically, it is of importance to distinguish between its application to the essence, to the activity, and to the knowledge of God. ![]() Another point, in regard to which the popular nature of the Scriptural teaching on this subject must be kept in mind, concerns the mode of the divine omnipresence. Thus, the very term "omnipresence" in its two component parts "everywhere" and "present" contains a double inadequacy of expression, both the notion of "everywhere" and that of "presence" being spacial concepts. This metaphysical conception of transcendence above all space is, of course, foreign to the Bible, which in regard to this, as in regard to the other transcendent attributes, clothes the truth of revelation in popular language, and speaks of exemption from the limitations of space in terms and figures derived from space itself. The philosophical idea of omnipresence is that of exemption from the limitations of space, subjectively as well as objectively subjectively, in so far as space, which is a necessary form of all created consciousness in the sphere of sense-perception, is not thus constitutionally inherent in the mind of God objectively, in so far as the actuality of space-relations in the created world imposes no limit upon the presence and operation of God. Philosophical and Popular Ideas of Omnipresence: Thus conceived, the attribute is but the correlate of the monotheistic conception of God as the Infinite Creator, Preserver and Governor of the universe, immanent in His works as well as transcendent above them.Ģ. God's omnipresence is closely related to His omnipotence and omniscience: that He is everywhere enables Him to act everywhere and to know all things, and, conversely, through omnipotent action and omniscient knowledge He has access to all places and all secrets (compare Psalm 139). Neither the noun "omnipresence" nor adjective "omnipresent" occurs in Scripture, but the idea that God is everywhere present is throughout presupposed and sometimes explicitly formulated. ![]() International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OMNIPRESENCEġ. Hebrews 3:7-11) and (2) that divine attributes are also ascribed to him, omnipresence This is the thought in Psalm 139:5, and teaches the omnipresence of God. be-set' (euperistatos): The most common sense of this word is "to surround." Of space, His omniscience is frequently connected with His omnipresence. God's knowledge, then, is represented as perfect. Infinity a Perfection Not a Quantity: This infinitude of God is displayed inĪll His attributes-in His eternity, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, etc. Psalm 139 is the clearest expression of this. Mode of the Divine Knowledge: Scripture brings God's knowledge into connection This view consists with their teaching of the omnipresence of the body of Jesus (n.) Presence in every place at the same time unbounded or universal presence ![]()
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