Page 28 - Christology - Student Textbook

Jesus’ knowledge concerning Lazarus’ death (John 11:11) suggests that God is aware and sovereign
over what might be going on in the USA, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, etc. He is a
local resident (“heaven” [Matt 6:9 [NIV]; or “Paradise” [Luke 23:43 [ESV]; cf. 2 Cor. 12:4]; or “third
heaven” [1 Cor. 12:2 [NIV]; or “above all heavens” [Eph. 4:10 [ESV]. God’s omnipresence means God
is aware of everything that is happening, because he is there.

Omniscience (All-Knowing)

The word “omnipresence” is also not in the Scriptures.

Concise Definition of Omniscience
Wayne Grudem defines it as “God fully knows himself and all
things actual and possible in one simple and eternal act.”
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Further, he adds that omniscience connotes “all-knowing.” J. I.
Packer notes that “Omniscience is a word that means knowing
everything.”

Omniscience in the Scriptures
David declared in Psalm 139:

O LORD, you examine me and know. 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; even
from far away you understand my motives. 3 You carefully observe me when I travel or
when I lie down to rest; you are aware of everything I do. 4 Certainly my tongue does not
frame a word without you, O LORD, being thoroughly aware of it. 5 You squeeze me in
from behind and in front; you place your hand on me. 6 Your knowledge is beyond my
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comprehension; it is so far beyond me, I am unable to fathom it.

David declares that God understands from any distance. God knows every person’s motives, actions,
and words. As a result, David indisputably affirmed that God’s knowledge was beyond his
comprehension and was unable to grasp it.

In the gospels, we find a narrative were the disciples were in discussion concerning who was the
greatest among them. We read that Jesus knew their thoughts even before anybody could tell Him
about the discussion (Luke 9:46-48).

In the book of John, Jesus stunned Nathanael by describing where he was seated even before
meeting Him (John 1:46-51). In response, Nathanael said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are
the King of Israel!” It is only God who could do that! Wayne Grudem notes that “The fact that God
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knows all things possible can also be deduced from God’s full knowledge of himself.”

76 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 190.

77 Ibid.

78 Biblical Studies Press, Ps 139:1–6: The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET
Bible (Biblical Studies Press, 2005).

79 Grudem, Systematic Theology, 191.

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