Feb 11

“Who is God?”

The concept of God, whether in a theological or philosophical context, is a complex idea that is continually debated and fought over. Although Ratzinger seems to suggest that each of the three core belief types (monotheism, polytheism, and atheism) all share some sort of commonality, the differing viewpoints on the topic of God have been the basis of many intellectual arguments, disputes, and even wars. This, of course, leads us to the question: Who really is God?

In Exodus, we read about a singular God who is protective of his people. When the Pharaoh enslaves the Israelites, God works through Moses to release a series of plagues on the Egyptians, then guides the Israelites throughout their escape, supplying manna and water along the way. Throughout this, God maintains a close relationship with Moses, revealing His name as “Yahewh” or “I am who I am.” Ratzinger notes the significance of this name in that it emphasizes God’s being, without explicitly settling on a given name. This also establishes God as a personal god, or as Ratzinger explains “the god who is concerned with man and is himself personal and person-centered.” God also identifies himself as the God of our Fathers, which in turn removes any physical boundaries limiting his reign. Without being restricted to one place, he is able to be, as Ratzinger states, “wherever man lets himself be found.” This, in turn, puts the responsibility of salvation on us. God is there for us when we need him. This isn’t to say that God is an escape, only present in times of necessity. Instead, Ratzinger says that we “should find God amid the fullness of earthly life”, thereby demonstrating our need for him without using him merely as a resource.