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The Divine Presence in Scripture and Tradition

The concept of divine presence in Scripture and tradition refers to God's active engagement and manifestation within creation and among humanity. This presence is understood in various ways, from direct revelation to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

One primary way God's presence is understood is through divine revelation, particularly in written Scripture. The Bible is considered by many traditions to be God's revealed will, committed to writing by men under divine guidance [2, 7]. This process is described as "inspiration," where writers were supernaturally guided to express what God intended as a revelation of His mind [8]. The Scriptures are not merely a record of revelation but are the revelation itself in written form, ensuring its accurate preservation and propagation [7]. This written word is meant to "dwell richly" among believers, signifying a constant study and understanding of God's doctrine [14]. The practice of reading Scripture publicly, transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church, further emphasizes its role as a medium of divine presence [11].

Beyond written revelation, God's presence is also understood through direct manifestations and visitations. The Old Testament frequently reports divine visitations on earth, sometimes in human form, which are seen as foreshadowing the incarnation of Jesus Christ [12]. For instance, King Nebuchadnezzar acknowledged the "Most High God" working signs and wonders [3, 6]. However, human beings are generally unable to fully comprehend God's holy presence and survive, as indicated by passages like Exodus 33:20 [12].

The New Testament further develops the understanding of divine presence, particularly through the Holy Spirit. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is promised to saints and is seen as a means of quickening, guiding, and fruit-bearing [9]. This indwelling is a proof of being "Christ's" and a sign of adoption [9]. The apostle Paul speaks of being "present in spirit" even when absent in body, suggesting a spiritual presence that transcends physical limitations [5]. The Holy Spirit's role in testifying to salvation was also recognized by Old Testament prophets, who diligently inquired into this salvation [13].

The doctrine of the Trinity, though the word itself is not found in Scripture, expresses the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit [4]. This theological articulation helps to understand how God can be simultaneously transcendent and immanently present through the distinct roles of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

The concept of divine presence also relates to prayer. While Scripture does not offer a theoretical explanation for the mystery of prayer's efficacy, it provides directions regarding its time, place, and manner, and offers types and examples of prayer [1]. The belief in God's presence is foundational to the practice of prayer, as it assumes a divine hearer and responder.

Historically, the preservation of God's truth has been a concern. Calvin noted that while God's truth was known through ancient tradition, it could be corrupted by human carelessness. Therefore, God committed history to writing to preserve its purity, establishing the credibility of the doctrine contained in the writings of figures like Moses [10]. This highlights the ongoing importance of Scripture as a reliable witness to God's presence and will.

Sources

  1. Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Prayer — The object of this article will be to touch briefly on-- + The doctrine of Scripture as to the nature and efficacy of prayer; + Its directions as to time, place and manner of prayer; + Its types and examples of prayer. + Scripture does not give any theoretical explanation of the mystery which attaches to prayer. The difficulty of understanding real efficacy arises chiefly from two sources: from the belief that man lives under general laws, which in all cases must be fulfilled unalterably; and the opposing belief that he is master of his own destiny, and need ”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Scripture — Invariably in the New Testament denotes that definite collection of sacred books, regarded as given by inspiration of God, which we usually call the Old Testament (2 Tim. 3:15, 16; John 20:9; Gal. 3:22; 2 Pet. 1:20). It was God's purpose thus to perpetuate his revealed will. From time to time he raised up men to commit to writing in an infallible record the revelation he gave. The "Scripture," or collection of sacred writings, was thus enlarged from time to time as God saw necessary. We have now a completed "Scripture," consisting of the Old and New Testa”
  3. Daniel “Daniel 3:99 (DRC) — The most high God hath wrought signs and wonders towards me. It hath seemed good to me, therefore, to publish”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Trinity — A word not found in Scripture, but used to express the doctrine of the unity of God as subsisting in three distinct Persons. This word is derived from the Gr. trias, first used by Theophilus (A.D. 168-183), or from the Lat. trinitas, first used by Tertullian (A.D. 220), to express this doctrine. The propositions involved in the doctrine are these: 1. That God is one, and that there is but one God (Deut. 6:4; 1 Kings 8:60; Isa. 44:6; Mark 12:29, 32; John 10:30). 2. That the Father is a distinct divine Person (hypostasis, subsistentia, persona, suppositum int”
  5. 1 Corinthians “For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing. -- 1 Corinthians 5:3”
  6. Daniel “It has seemed good to me to show the signs and wonders that the Most High God has worked toward me. -- Daniel 4:2”
  7. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Revelation — An uncovering, a bringing to light of that which had been previously wholly hidden or only obscurely seen. God has been pleased in various ways and at different times (Heb. 1:1) to make a supernatural revelation of himself and his purposes and plans, which, under the guidance of his Spirit, has been committed to writing. (See WORD OF [532]GOD.) The Scriptures are not merely the "record" of revelation; they are the revelation itself in a written form, in order to the accurate presevation and propagation of the truth. Revelation and inspiration differ. Rev”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Inspiration — That extraordinary or supernatural divine influence vouchsafed to those who wrote the Holy Scriptures, rendering their writings infallible. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" (R.V., "Every scripture inspired of God"), 2 Tim. 3:16. This is true of all the "sacred writings," not in the sense of their being works of genius or of supernatural insight, but as "theopneustic," i.e., "breathed into by God" in such a sense that the writers were supernaturally guided to express exactly what God intended them to express as a revelation of his mind and ”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Indwelling of the Holy Spirit, The — In his Church, as his temple -- 1Co 3:16. In the body of saints, as his temple -- 1Co 6:19; 2Co 6:16. Promised to saints -- Eze 36:27. Saints enjoy -- Isa 63:11; 2Ti 1:14. Saints full of -- Ac 6:5; Eph 5:18. Is the means of Quickening. -- Ro 8:11. Guiding. -- Joh 16:13; Ga 5:18. Fruit bearing. -- Ga 5:22. A proof of being Christ's -- Ro 8:9; 1Jo 4:13. A proof of adoption -- Ro 8:15; Ga 4:5. Is abiding -- 1Jo 2:27. Those who have not Are sensual. -- Jude 1:19. Are without Christ. -- Ro 8:9. Opposed by the carnal nature -- Ga 5:17.”
  10. CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 4.3: known through the ancient and perpetual tradition of the Fathers. Yet, since nothing is more easy than that the truth of God should be so corrupted by men, that, in a long succession of time, it should, as it were, degenerate from itself, it pleased the Lord to commit the history to writing, for the purpose of preserving its purity. Moses, therefore, has established the credibility of that doctrine which is contained in his writings, and which, by the carelessness of men, might otherwise have been lost. I now return to the design o”
  11. 1 Timothy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Timothy 4:13: Till I come--when Timothy's commission would be superseded for the time by the presence of the apostle himself (Ti1 1:3; Ti1 3:14). reading--especially in the public congregation. The practice of reading Scripture was transferred from the Jewish synagogue to the Christian Church (Luk 4:16-20; Act 13:15; Act 15:21; Co2 3:14). The New Testament Gospel and Epistles being recognized as inspired by those who had the gift of discerning spirits, were from the first, according as they were written, read along with the Old Testament in the Church (Th1 5:21”
  12. Jude (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jude 13:19: 13:19-22 It is not possible for human beings to take in the full revelation of God’s holy presence and still live (cp. 6:20-24; Exod 19:21; 33:20). The Old Testament frequently reports divine visitations on earth in human form; these visitations foreshadow the full appearance of God on earth in the incarnation of Jesus.”
  13. 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:10: The magnitude of this "salvation" is proved by the earnestness with which "prophets" and even "angels" searched into it. Even from the beginning of the world this salvation has been testified to by the Holy Spirit. prophets--Though there is no Greek article, yet English Version is right, "the prophets" generally (including all the Old Testament inspired authors), as "the angels" similarly refer to them in general. inquired--perseveringly: so the Greek. Much more is manifested to us than by diligent inquiry and search the prophets attained. Still i”
  14. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly - I believe the apostle means that the Colossians should be well instructed in the doctrine of Christ; that it should be their constant study; that it should be frequently preached, explained, and enforced among them; and that all the wisdom comprised in it should be well understood. Thus the doctrine of God would dwell richly, that is, abundantly, among them. But there appears to be here an allusion to the Shechinah, or symbol of the Divine presence, which dwelt in the tabernacle and first temple; and to an opinion com”
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