The Transcendence & Immanence of God

Blog | Pastor Duane

When looking at the different phases or stages of history from the perspective of God’s creation, governance and rule over them the age of the Holy Spirit highlights an important aspect of the character and being of God…that He is both transcendent and immanent. “Transcendence” and “immanence” are big words, but often big words are some of the most helpful.

Transcendence is the total holy otherness of God…how completely unlike anything or anyone else He is…totally distinct, separate and unique. The idea of transcendence focuses attention on the lofty, supreme, and powerful nature of God over and above all that he has created. Theologians have often called the transcendent nature of God his “incommunicatable attributes” because he doesn’t pass them on to any of his creatures. The angels in Isaiah 6 proclaim God’s transcendence when they cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts (Is 6:3)!”

Immanence is the total nearness and closeness of God. The idea of immanence focuses attention on the evident and tangible perception of God by his creatures, chiefly made known to us in the coming of both Jesus His Son and the Holy Spirit. Theologians have often called the immanent nature of God his “communicatable attributes” because he passes his presence and character to those who put faith in him. The angels in Isaiah 6 likewise proclaim God’s immanence when they cry out, “The whole earth is full of His glory (Is 6:3)!”

The twin truths of God’s transcendence and immanence are precious treasures. Yet they must be simultaneously held together or else one ends up in tragic error. Deism, the belief that God made the world like a watch, wound it up and then stepped back having nothing more to do with it…is the transcendence of God taken too far. Pantheism, the belief that a part of God is in everything and all of the total of all those parts is what makes up God…is the immanence of God taken too far.

What holds God’s transcendence and immanence together in perfect harmony is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For in the gospel the wholly other God took on the nature of humanity and became a man in Jesus…coming closer than ever before. Then through belief in the gospel, the news that God sacrificed His Son for sin, God promises to come in and reside in every believer through His Holy Spirit. Romans 8:11 “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

If we don’t see God as transcendent it is hard for us to know how truly glorious and mighty He is and if we don’t see God as immanent it is hard for us to know how truly gracious and loving He is. Praise God that through the Gospel he has made Himself known and shown why He is worthy of all our worship!