The Trinity
How can the Bible portray God as needing to search for knowledge if He is truly all-knowing?
Quick answer
The Christian response emphasizes that the biblical descriptions of God seeking knowledge are anthropomorphic, meant to convey divine actions in human terms. Furthermore, the Bible consistently affirms God's perfect and infinite knowledge, contrasting with the Quranic portrayal of Allah, which suggests limitations in His knowledge.
Full argument
Muslims often criticize the biblical portrayal of God, arguing that it presents a deity who must search for knowledge, as seen in Genesis 18:20-21 where God goes to Sodom to verify reports of wickedness. However, these instances are anthropomorphic descriptions, allowing humans to understand God's actions in relatable terms. The Bible clearly states that God's knowledge is perfect and unchanging, as seen in Numbers 23:19 and 1 Samuel 15:29, which affirm that God does not lie or change His mind. Additionally, verses like Psalm 147:4-5 and Isaiah 46:9-11 highlight God's infinite understanding and foreknowledge, reinforcing the idea that He knows all things without needing to investigate. In contrast, the Quran contains passages that imply Allah does not possess complete knowledge and even has to guess, raising questions about His omniscience. Thus, the biblical view of God as all-knowing stands in stark contrast to the limitations suggested in Islamic texts.
Key verses
Numbers 23:19bible
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Psalm 147:4-5bible
He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding is infinite.
Isaiah 46:9-11bible
I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come.
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