The concept of divine hiddenness, or the hiddenness of God, refers to the idea that God may not make His existence sufficiently clear and obvious to all people. This perceived “hiddenness” raises philosophical and theological questions about the nature of faith and God’s relationship with humanity.
There are several key biblical passages that shed light on divine hiddenness and God revealing Himself:
1. God’s existence is evident in creation
The Bible teaches that God’s existence, power, and divine nature can be clearly perceived in the natural world He created. Passages like Psalm 19:1 state that “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Romans 1:20 also says that God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”
According to these verses, God reveals Himself through the majesty and complexity of the natural world. His fingerprints can be seen across the cosmos. So in one sense, God is not completely hidden.
2. Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God
While creation gives a glimpse of God’s glory, He most fully revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. John 1:14 says “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Hebrews 1:3 also calls Jesus “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature.”
Jesus came to make God known to humanity in the clearest way possible. As He said in John 14:9 – “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” God is no longer hidden because His nature and character have been perfectly revealed through Christ.
3. God selectively reveals Himself to people
Though God is evident in creation and through Christ, the Bible indicates that He chooses to specially reveal Himself to certain individuals. For example, Moses encountered God personally through the burning bush (Exodus 3). The apostle Paul met the risen Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9). God spoke directly to the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 3).
So while God has made His existence plain on a general level, He seems to selectively reveal Himself in a personal, intimate way to certain people throughout history. Not everyone has the same kind of direct revelation of God.
4. Faith is required to perceive God
The Bible makes it clear that people can only recognize and understand God’s revelation if they have faith. Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 declares, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
God may reveal Himself both through creation and Scripture, but perceiving Him in those revelations requires faith. Unbelievers can read the Bible and examine nature, yet still deny God’s existence because they lack faith to recognize Him. Divine hiddenness is not fully overcome without faith.
5. One day God will be fully known
While God seems hidden from many people now, the Bible promises a day is coming when He will be fully known by all. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Revelation 21:3 also prophesies about a time when God’s dwelling will be with humans, and “they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” The hiddenness that exists now will eventually give way to perfect communion between God and humanity.
6. Divine hiddenness invites searching and humility
The fact that God is not completely obvious and unambiguous to every person creates an opportunity for discovery, searching, and humility. Acts 17:27 says God designed it this way “that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him.” Hiddenness invites all people to seek after the Lord.
Isaiah 55:6 also counsels, “Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near.” God’s hiddenness requires humility and persistence to find Him. That quest itself draws humans into closer relationship with their Creator.
7. Hiddenness allows room for faith and skepticism
If God’s existence was empirically obvious and scientifically proven, there would be no need for faith. His hiddenness allows room for people to either choose faith or skepticism. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says “for we walk by faith, not by sight.” Jesus Himself said blessed are those who believe without seeing (John 20:29).
Hebrews 11:1 explains, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” God remains somewhat hidden so people must rely on faith rather than physical sight alone. Each person must decide whether they will believe or doubt.
8. Hiddenness separates true faith from mere intellectual belief
Similarly, divine hiddenness differentiates between those who merely intellectually agree God exists and those who truly trust in Him with their lives. James 2:19 says “even the demons believe [in God]—and shudder!” Belief alone is not the same as saving faith.
The gap between reasonable evidence for God and absolute certainty requires faith to cross. Those with genuine faith are willing to trust God when they cannot see the full picture. Lacking absolute proof tests and refines authentic faith.
9. God hides Himself from those who willfully reject truth
The Bible indicates that God intentionally hides Himself from some people as an act of judgment upon their unbelief and rebellion. Jesus said in Matthew 11:25 that God has “hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children.” Willful rejection of truth can lead to greater hiddenness of God.
Romans 1:21-23 also describes unrighteous people who “knew God” but would not glorify Him, so “their foolish hearts were darkened” as “God gave them over” to their sinful desires. God hides Himself from those persistently rejecting truth, as a form of judgment.
10. Believers can experience times of divine hiddenness
Even faithful followers of God may experience seasons where He seems distant and silent, leading to feelings of abandonment. Psalm 13:1 says “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever?” Psalm 77:7-9 also laments, “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end?”
Jesus Himself cried out “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” while on the cross. Moments where God seems hidden, even to believers, invite deeper faith and dependence on Him.
11. God is present especially in suffering and weakness
Ironically, the times where God may seem most hidden are often when He is closest. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God’s strength shines brightest in our moments of suffering and weakness.
Psalm 34:18 also promises “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Rather than being distant in our pain, God often draws nearest in our agony and distress, even if we cannot perceive Him.
12. Hiddenness drives us to community and dependence on others
When individuals struggle to discern God’s presence, the community of faith becomes crucial. Other believers essentially represent Christ to each other, expressing God’s love and assurance. Hebrews 10:24-25 commands meeting together regularly for this very purpose.
Times when God seems hidden remind believers of their interconnectedness. The body of Christ finds God together, even when He seems absent to isolated individuals. Shared seeking overcomes hiddenness.
In summary, divine hiddenness is a complex biblical concept with many causes and implications:
- God has revealed Himself through creation and Christ, yet faith is required to perceive Him
- He selectively reveals Himself to certain people, so not everyone has the same spiritual clarity
- One day God will be fully known, though now we only see dimly
- Hiddenness invites searching, humility, and faith
- It allows room for both belief and skepticism
- God hides Himself from willful rebellion as judgment
- Even believers experience times of divine hiddenness and spiritual darkness
- His presence shines brightest in our weakest moments
- Seasons of hiddenness remind us of our need for Christian community
So while God may seem hidden at times, unknown or distant, the Bible gives many reasons for this perceived separation from Him. Divine hiddenness prompts us to faith, not doubt. It results from human weakness, not God’s absence. And most importantly, God promises His hiddenness is only temporary – one day we will know Him fully.