Hi all,

I am pondering the nature of God with regards to existence in spacial terms. The
traditional concept of God includes omnipresence (present in all places at one time) as
one of the "omni"s of God. But I question whether speaking of God in spatial
terms has meaning, unless such language is in fact only metaphorical of non-spatial
qualities of God.

Omnipresence. Firstly, is God (spacially) in this computer or the table that it sits
on? Is God (spacially) in animals? Is God (spacially) in human beings, Christian or
non-Christian? If we are to say that God is in the table or animals or all humans, I think
most would refer not to spacial qualities but to the idea that God created those objects
and sustains their existence. In terms of animate life, some may also suggest that the
‘breath of life’ that animates animals and humans is God in them. In humans,
some may wish to say God is in all people by virtue of the image of God, however this is
not spacial presence so much as likeness in design. Some would want to say that God is in
the Christian by the Holy Spirit – I think this is far better understood in non-spacial
terms for certain reasons.

If God is not in this table, is that a place that God is not? Does saying God is in
Christians but not in those outside the Christian faith in fact undermine the concept of
omnipresence? If God is in a Christian, then in what way? Whilst I don’t ascribe to
the following ideas, I would suggest that the idea of God’s spacial existence in a
Christian after ‘conversion’ (accoridng to evangelical doctrine) is by no means
a necessary belief. By the Holy Spirit most would say – well where exactly in a person is
the Holy Spirit? Is the Holy Spirit in a person prior to ‘conversion’? If the
Holy Spirit is not in a person prior to conversion, then how is it that the Holy Spirit
reveals to them the truths of God, if humans are unable to discover these without divine
revelation. Well, if God can reveal and related to the non-Christian, then why is there
any need to assert that the Holy Spirit must be in the Christian?

It is my thesis that God cannot be accurately described in spacial terms, and that any
such description lacks meaning, unless such expressions are only metaphorical for
non-spacial qualities of God.

Well, does it matter if we use spatial expressions in relation to God – I’m sure
many are saying, who really cares! (and will probably reply in that vain too, given past
responses) We must ask, if God cannot be accurately described in spatial terms, does such
descriptions lead to or reflect misconception of God, in turn affecting our lives and
world view. I say yes.

Many Christians hold to the idea that God is in them (spacially) but not in those who
do not have Christian faith. This is a strong example of how spacial concepts of God can
lead to sacredisation and secularisation of actual objects in this world. It can lead to
the devaluing of non-Christians, to pride, arrogance and ‘high-horse morality’,
and frequently leads to churchgoers denying the worthwhile nature of ‘secular’
counselling, social work, alternative medicines and sometimes even conventional medicines.

But does a denial of the ‘spatiality’ of God lead to a denial of of the
existence of God. I don’t believe so. I suggest a concept of super-spaciality
maintains the underlying meaning of omnipresence: what do we wish to say by omnipresence?
It is not so much that God is here and there and there … but that there is no where that
God is less that any other place. Therefore, God does not have to be spacially anywhere,
but God transcends the spacial and thus we find we can ‘meet’ with God anywhere,
whether in our home, in a church, at the beach or in deep space.

In what way does God interact or intersect with our spacial existence? Well this would
take more than a few lines! Many Christians believe in an actual Incarnation of God in
human flesh in the person of Jesus, a concept which I do not ascribe to in any literal
fashion. However, I think all Christians would affirm God in Christ (not necessarily
spacially!), who reflected God’s glory and was the express image of God. We do
experience God in our lives, and somehow God does intersect the spacial – impacting real
people in sometimes physical ways.

Moving away from spacial concepts of God avoids significant problems of dichotomising
the world in secular and sacred terms, avoids problems in maintaining a meaningful and
consistent understanding of omnipresence, and allows us to more freely recognise the good
outside of what might otherwise be seen as the realm of the sacred.

Regards,

Daniel