Understanding an Unchanging God

One concept shared by many of the world's major religions - Christian, Muslim, Jew, at least - is that of God, eternal, unchanging, creator of the universe (in the Bible, for example, in Psalm 90, v 2; or Isaiah ch 40 v 28). Instinctively, we accept the basic forces of the universe - gravity, motion, heat, light, etc. - as dependably stable and unchanging. Such things, as best we can learn, always behave the same, day after day, year after year.

There are some sincere Christians who believe that the Bible is word-for-word [in the original language] direct dictation from God, not subject to interpretation: "The Bible says it, I believe it, that settles it!"

This raises some questions: Have they ever read the whole Bible themselves? And for those who have, do they ever think about what they have read? And do they take into consideration how much the meaning of words change from generation to generation, let alone century to century?

A Pharisee asked Jesus what is the greatest commandment in the law; Jesus readily replied (in Mt 22: 37 - 40 NRSV): "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." It is okay to use your mind, to think about what you read, and ask questions about interpretation.

Consider the story of Creation in Genesis Chapter 1: "the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while the spirit of God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light." Modern scientists would agree with the beginning of the creation story; they would envision a plasma of subatomic particles, but in ancient times "waters" would be the closest word in human vocabulary, and the "big bang" certainly produced an instantaneous, massive burst of light.

The Bible itself modifies the concept of all creation taking place in six days: (Psalm 90 v 4: For a thousand years in your [God's] sight are like yesterday when it is past, or like a watch in the night.

Some of Moses' laws in the Old Testament have changes even by the time of the New Testament:

Exodus 21, the next chapter after the Ten Commandments: the laws about slave ownership. The history of slavery goes from "anything is permitted" to "owner and slave both have the same master . . ." And nowadays, slavery is not permitted at all in most nations.

In Leviticus ch 11: the laws about food declare many animals unclean and not to be eaten. Has God changed his mind about these? In Mark 7:19, Jesus declared all foods clean.

Deuteronomy 21 v 18 - 21: The law for a disobedient son: Stone him to death. Not legal nowadays in any country that I know of.

Deuteronomy 22 v 28 - 29 - The law about rape victims. The rapist shall pay the girl's father a fine; The rapist shall then marry her, and cannot ever divorce her. But where is justice for her?

Slavery was justified for centuries by quoting Genesis 9, where one of Noah's sons, Ham, somehow offended his father, and his descendents were cursed to forever be the slaves of the descendents of Noah's other two sons. Did Noah's curse justify slavery, thousands of years later? Southern Baptists, many of whom are descendents of slave owners, finally issued an official apology 120 years after slavery was abolished in America.

The history of vengeance, from maximum force, through eye-for-an-eye, to forgiveness and loving your enemy: Is the world ready yet for peace? Can we handle it? There are many such questions that could be discussed.

But the central question is, Does God change?

Is not the Bible a history, rather, of the changing human understanding of the eternal unchanging God, down through the ages? (and also, perhaps, the history of God eternally reaching out to humans, waiting for them to trust and obey?)

And on into the future? There is a hymn sung by some Christians; not a quotation from the Bible, but a thought worth pondering, nevertheless. Written by poet James Russell Lowell, one verse goes:

By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,

Toiling up new Calvaries ever with the cross that turns not back;

New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth;

They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of truth.