Seeking God Independently in Scripture and Tradition
The concept of seeking God independently is rooted in biblical teachings and has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian tradition. Scripture encourages believers to seek God earnestly, as seen in Acts 17:27, where it is written that God "is not far from each one of us" and that people should "seek the Lord, if perhaps indeed they might feel around for him and find him" [1]. This seeking is not merely an intellectual or superficial pursuit but a deep, heartfelt endeavor.
In the book of Job, the theme of seeking God is prominent. Eliphaz advises Job to "seek unto God" and to "commit his cause to God" (Job 5:8) [3]. This seeking involves prayer and trust in God's sovereignty. John Gill interprets this passage as Eliphaz's personal practice during his own afflictions, suggesting that seeking God is a means of finding support and comfort under difficult circumstances [6].
The Bible also acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in seeking God. In Job 11:7, it is asked, "Can you find out God by searching? Or can you find out the end of the Almighty?" [2]. This rhetorical question highlights the impossibility of fully comprehending God's nature through human effort alone. John Gill comments on this verse, noting that while the existence of God can be inferred from the natural world, the nature and perfections of God are beyond human discovery [5].
The act of seeking God is closely tied to the study of Scripture. In John 5:39, Jesus instructs his listeners to "search the Scriptures," emphasizing the importance of engaging with the biblical text to understand God's will and to find spiritual life [7]. This searching is not a superficial reading but a diligent and reverent examination of the Scriptures. Both Jamieson, Fausset & Brown and John Gill interpret this command as an encouragement to explore the Scriptures deeply, recognizing their authority and relevance to faith [7, 9].
The prophets also exhort people to seek God. In Isaiah 55:6, the call is to "seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near" [8]. This passage underscores the urgency and the opportunity of seeking God, emphasizing that God is accessible to those who seek him earnestly.
In Christian tradition, the idea of seeking God independently is understood as a call to personal devotion and prayer. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various means of accessing God, including prayer, faith, and the work of the Holy Spirit [4]. The Presbyterian and Baptist/Reformed traditions, as represented by commentators like Jamieson, Fausset & Brown and John Gill, emphasize the importance of seeking God through Scripture and prayer.
The biblical concept of seeking God is thus multifaceted, involving both the acknowledgment of God's transcendence and the pursuit of a personal relationship with him through prayer, Scripture, and faith. While the depth of God's nature may be beyond full human comprehension, the act of seeking is itself a means of drawing closer to God.
Historical and Theological Perspectives
The understanding of seeking God has developed over time, influenced by various theological and confessional perspectives. The Reformed tradition, for example, has emphasized the sovereignty of God in the process of seeking and finding him. According to John Gill, seeking God involves recognizing one's own limitations and relying on God's grace and revelation [5, 6].
Sources
- Acts “Acts 17:27 (LEB) — to search for God, if perhaps indeed they might feel around for him and find him. And indeed he is not far away from each one of us,”
- Job “Job 11:7 (LITV) — Can you find out God by searching? Or can you find out the end of the Almighty?”
- Job ““But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God, -- Job 5:8”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 11:7: Canst thou by searching find out God?.... God is not to be found out by human search; that there is a God may be found out by inquiring into the book of nature, by considering the creatures that are made, who all proclaim some first cause or maker of them, who is God; but then it cannot be found out what God is, his nature, being, and perfections: an Heathen philosopher (i), being asked by a certain king what God was, required a day to give in his answer; when that was up he desired a second, and still went on asking more; and being demanded the reason of his dilatorines”
- Job (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Job 5:8: I would seek unto God,.... Or "truly" (e), "certainly, doubtless, I do seek unto God", verily I do so; for so the words are introduced in the original text, and express what Eliphaz had done when under afflictions himself; for he was not without them, though he had not them to such a degree as Job had; and when he was under them, this was the course he took; he sought unto God by prayer to support him under them, to sanctify them to him, and to deliver him out of them; and this he proposes for Job's imitation, and suggests, that if he was in his case, this would be the fi”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 5:39: Search the scriptures, &c.--"In the Scriptures ye find your charter of eternal life; go search them then, and you will find that I am the Great Burden of their testimony; yet ye will not come to Me for that life eternal which you profess to find there, and of which they tell you I am the appointed Dispenser." (Compare Act 17:11-12). How touching and gracious are these last words! Observe here (1) The honor which Christ gives to the Scriptures, as a record which all have a right and are bound to search--the reverse of which the Church of Rome teaches; (2)”
- Isaiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Isaiah 55:6: The condition and limit in the obtaining of the spiritual benefits (Isa 55:1-3): (1) Seek the Lord. (2) Seek Him while He is to be found (Isa 65:1; Psa 32:6; Mat 25:1-13; Joh 7:34; Joh 8:21; Co2 6:2; Heb 2:3; Heb 3:13, Heb 3:15). call--casting yourselves wholly on His mercy (Rom 10:13). Stronger than "seek"; so "near" is more positive than "while He may be found" (Rom 10:8-9). near--propitious (Psa 34:18; Psa 145:18).”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 5:39: Search the Scriptures,.... The writings of Moses, and the prophets, which were of divine inspiration and authority, and are often appealed unto by Christ, and his apostles, for the truth of what they delivered; and were the standard of faith, and the test of doctrines; and therefore to be searched diligently into, for finding divine knowledge and improvement in it, and for the trial of doctrines. The words may be rendered in the indicative, as an assertion, "ye do search the Scriptures": the Jews had the sacred oracles committed to them, and these they read, not only th”