Why doesn't God reveal himself to everyone who asks for it?

[Albion]

He revealed himself personally to Abraham and Moses. He does so to each of us, with or without the Bible.

That is so obviously untrue, except in some very abstract sense that is not what we were talking about, that it should be dropped right now.

 

[Albion]

I can see that argument. But there has been many holy writings over the course of creation. Why do we know that the bible is the actual word of God?

For one thing, it is the record of a people and God over many hundreds of years, even thousands. There is continuity and It traces the development of events and ideas. It is not simply a book of inspirational writings, which is what the sacred writings of many other religions use.

For another, it is provable (or, contrarily, could theoretically be disproven), so this gives us the reliability element...which again is missing from any of those other sacred writings. The Bible has been challenged many times and has stood up to the criticism and doubts. If it is reliable, then we can believe what it says about itself...which is that it is divine revelation.

Shouldn't God reveal himself to them? Like say for example that an Indian tribe in Africa prays to God every single day. Yet they do not know who God genuinely is. They just worship God (and probably false Gods as it is further angering God more) shouldn't God reveal himself to them so that they can worship the true God and creator of the universe? You would think that the true creator of the universe would want the entire world to worship him instead of so many cultures and religions worshipping false Gods and false religious practices.

The answer to this very understandable question is that it is not our responsibility--or even something we CAN answer--to explain every last thing that God does or intends or how. Much of it is beyond our comprehension anyway. But Scripture is given for us in our own lives and we can live by it (which I think is the main question you were asking).

I mean you could argue that it is our job as Christian's to introduce these people to God like Paul did to the Roman's and Greeks but humans can only do so much. God can do anything. Yet it seems like God only reveals himself to those whom he chooses to reveal himself to. To me that's kind of inefficient and it gives atheists an argument for God doesn't exist.

I know, but we really cannot make God into a human with the same failings, purposes, and all of that, which is what you are unintentionally doing there. God is much beyond all of this, just as eternity and omnipotence are. But, for some reason, we don't question them. We do second-guess God, though, because we tend to picture him as if he were a superhuman rather than the Almighty.

 

[RDKirk]

To us. But to an atheist or one who doesn't know Jesus it doesn't reveal anything. Plus creation is only evidence of a God. It isn't evidence for the Trinity.

Job didn't know Jesus. How does scripture indicate to us that he knew God?

 

[fhansen]

Scripture does not support today's claims made by Charismatics unless tampered with.

With that, I'd tend to agree. I've never witnessed anything but bogus nonsense in such settings. But that's not the kind of stuff I'm speaking of. There's a rich history of testimonies of believers down through the centuries regarding ineffably profound experiences granted, having one purpose or another but always leaving them deeply and permanently affected. The glory of God is generally revealed in one aspect or another. Peter and Paul both spoke of similar experiences or epiphanies.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Are you referring to his second coming? Because last I checked God hasn't made one big grand entrance. The last time Gid revealed himself to the world in the bible was when Christ we went to the cross and even then most people didn't believe in him.

It seems like today he only reveals himself to Christians and those he chose for salvation.

Other than the Big Bang, you're right, he hasn't made any grand entrance. But God reveals Himself every day. In many, many ways. For example, why do you get to take your next breath?

 

[Root of Jesse]

That is so obviously untrue, except in some very abstract sense that is not what we were talking about, that it should be dropped right now.

Why? God reveals Himself to me in every breath I take, every step I walk, everything I do. I guess people just don't pay attention to God's call to Elijah, finding God in that still, small voice.

 

[fhansen]

Why? God reveals Himself to me in every breath I take, every step I walk, everything I do. I guess people just don't pay attention to God's call to Elijah, finding God in that still, small voice.

All true. And yet to be fair, I think the OP is speaking of a knock your socks off, plant your face flat on the ground, no room for doubt kind of experience.

 

[Albion]

Why? God reveals Himself to me in every breath I take, every step I walk, everything I do. I guess people just don't pay attention to God's call to Elijah, finding God in that still, small voice.

...and you think that every breath you take, etc. is the equivalent of him actually appearing to a person as he did with a handful of people important in Biblical history.

That's interesting.

 

[Root of Jesse]

All true. And yet to be fair, I think the OP is speaking of a knock your socks off, plant your face flat on the ground, no room for doubt kind of experience.

I think that a breath is a miracle, and people think to lightly about it.

 

[Root of Jesse]

...and you think that every breath you take, etc. is the equivalent of him actually appearing to a person as he did with a handful of people important in Biblical history.

That's interesting.

It's so nice that you know my mind, sir. That's interesting.

 

[fhansen]

I think that a breath is a miracle, and people think to lightly about it.

I'm sure you're right. It's a miracle to live and move and have our being as that's all sustained by God. But, you know, we tend to divide the natural from the supernatural and some miracles are just different in kind than others.

 

[Root of Jesse]

I'm sure you're right. It's a miracle to live and move and have our being as that's all sustained by God. But, you know, we tend to divide the natural from the supernatural and some miracles are just different in kind than others.

I know. I just think the premise of the question is wrong. God reveals himself to everyone, whether they ask for it or not. People want loaves and fishes type stuff, though, as you said. Jesus caught them. He said 'You're following me because you saw me feed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish." Most of those weren't there when he was crucified, though.
I guess I'm more sensitive to it all now, being grateful for every day, since my wife contracted pancreatic cancer. I see miracles as stuff like her eating 3 spoonfuls of soup. Or walking down and up the stairs.

 

[Albion]

It's so nice that you know my mind, sir. That's interesting.

You are the author of post 46, aren't you?

Why? God reveals Himself to me in every breath I take, every step I walk, everything I do. I guess people just don't pay attention to God's call to Elijah, finding God in that still, small voice.

 

[fhansen]

I know. I just think the premise of the question is wrong. God reveals himself to everyone, whether they ask for it or not. People want loaves and fishes type stuff, though, as you said. Jesus caught them. He said 'You're following me because you saw me feed 5000 people with 5 loaves and 2 fish." Most of those weren't there when he was crucified, though.
I guess I'm more sensitive to it all now, being grateful for every day, since my wife contracted pancreatic cancer. I see miracles as stuff like her eating 3 spoonfuls of soup. Or walking down and up the stairs.

I see-I get that and wish I had more of that kind of appreciation to be honest. But God has His ways and purposes in this stuff and I don't think the people who actually receive these "extra" blessings are generally the type who would ask for or expect them, if they're the real thing.

 

[Root of Jesse]

You are the author of post 46, aren't you?

I am, and you replied "...and you think that every breath you take, etc. is the equivalent of him actually appearing to a person as he did with a handful of people important in Biblical history.", indicating you believe I think there's an equivalent. Do you work in Vegas?

 

[Albion]

I am, and you replied "...and you think that every breath you take, etc. is the equivalent of him actually appearing to a person as he did with a handful of people important in Biblical history.", indicating you believe I think there's an equivalent.

Isn't that what the following says?

God reveals Himself to me in every breath I take, every step I walk, everything I do. I guess people just don't pay attention to God's call to Elijah....

 

[Root of Jesse]

Isn't that what the following says?

But it doesn't say anything about the magnitude of the miracle, as you suggested it does.

 

[Root of Jesse]

Isn't that what the following says?

Nope. That's not what it says. It answers the question "Why doesn't God reveal himself to everyone who asks for it?" The answer is He does. 1 Kings 19:11-13
Then the LORD said: Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will pass by. There was a strong and violent wind rending the mountains and crushing rocks before the LORD—but the LORD was not in the wind; after the wind, an earthquake—but the LORD was not in the earthquake; after the earthquake, fire—but the LORD was not in the fire; after the fire, a light silent sound.

When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. A voice said to him, Why are you here, Elijah?
The point is that people look for God as if he'll come amidst fireworks. But he comes in ordinary ways as well.

 

[Theophilus2019]

Possibly because God considers the best way for Him to reveal himself is the way He’s doing it right now, through His church and it’s message.

In the Bible we read of lots of times God revealed Himself more directly. In the Old Testament God’s miracles and judgments had little effect in keeping His people in order. Most of all God revealed Himself in Jesus, standing in person in front of them doing miracles and rising from death. Even when God did that most people ignored or opposed Him then, and killed Him. What more do you expect God to do, short of taking direct control of everyone’s brain, which isn’t Gods way of doing things.

So who are we to say that God doesn’t know best how and to whom to reveal Himself?

 

[~Zao~]

Possibly because God considers the best way for Him to reveal himself is the way He’s doing it right now, through His church and it’s message.

In the Bible we read of lots of times God revealed Himself more directly. In the Old Testament God’s miracles and judgments had little effect in keeping His people in order. Most of all God revealed Himself in Jesus, standing in person in front of them doing miracles and rising from death. Even when God did that most people ignored or opposed Him then, and killed Him. What more do you expect God to do, short of taking direct control of everyone’s brain, which isn’t Gods way of doing things.

So who are we to say that God doesn’t know best how and to whom to reveal Himself?

Agree absolutely. Revelation is nothing more and nothing less than a fuller revealing of the Person of the Risen Lord.