God as a Dialogical Philosopher or Man as His Creator

By Arie Kizel

In conventional religious understanding, God is perceived as omniscient, omnipotent, and having absolute control. Therefore, the idea that God asks questions in the Torah seems surprising and puzzling at first glance. If He knows everything, why would He ask? However, a deeper examination of these questions in the Bible reveals profound layers of meaning concerning the relationship between God and humanity, educational processes, and moral principles.

Why Does God Ask Questions?

God's questions in the Torah do not stem from a lack of knowledge. They often serve as rhetorical, didactic, or educational tools for the following purposes:

• Invitation to self-reflection and repentance: Often, God's questions are designed to lead individuals to introspection, to acknowledge their sins, or to take responsibility for their actions. Prominent examples include "Where art thou?" (Genesis 3:9) to the first man, which challenged him to confront his actions, and "Where is Abel thy brother?" (Genesis 4:9) to Cain, which confronted him with his responsibility for his brother's death.
• Highlighting moral principles: Certain questions emphasize moral and legal principles. When God, as it were, consults with Abraham and asks: "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do" (Genesis 18:17), He establishes the idea of human partnership with God in mending the world and understanding divine ways of justice and righteousness.
• Challenging perceptions and deepening understanding: In the Book of Job, a series of long rhetorical questions (Job 38-41) highlight the limitations of human understanding of the complexity of creation and God's ways. These questions are intended to lead to humility and submission before a greater divine plan.
• Opportunity for a positive response or commitment: In some cases, God's questions invite a positive human response or willingness to undertake a mission. This is seen in His question to Moses from the burning bush: "Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD" (Exodus 4:11), which aimed to strengthen Moses' confidence and dispel his fears.

These questions express an active God who engages in dialogue with His creations, empowering humanity and leading them to a deeper understanding of themselves, the world, and God's ways. Through them, the Torah presents a God who is not only the sovereign of the world but also an educator, guide, and partner in humanity's spiritual and moral journey.

 

Additional Examples of Divine Questions in the Bible:

• "The stranger that dwelleth with you, shall be unto you as one born among you" (Leviticus 19:34) – A commandment phrased as a rhetorical question emphasizing the moral and social obligation towards the stranger.
• "Is any thing too hard for the LORD?" (Genesis 18:14) – Said to Sarah, its purpose is to emphasize God's unlimited power.
• "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." (Genesis 4:7) – Said to Cain to present him with a moral choice and warn against sin.
• "What doest thou here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:9, 13) – A question designed to allow Elijah to express his frustration and open a personal dialogue.
• "How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?" (Exodus 16:28) – A question of rebuke and frustration towards the people of Israel, expressing disappointment in their behaviour and calling for change.
• "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth..." (Job 2:3) – A rhetorical question to Satan, emphasizing Job's righteousness and loyalty.
• "Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?" (Genesis 18:17) – A question God asks Himself, emphasizing Abraham's special status as "God's friend."
• "How long will this people provoke me? and how long will it be ere they believe me, for all the signs which I have shewed among them" (Numbers 14:11) – Expresses pain and anger at the people's lack of faith and rebelliousness, justifying the punishment.
• "Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?" (Genesis 3:11) – Interrogative questions to the first man, aimed at confession and taking responsibility.
• "What is that in thine hand?" (Exodus 4:2) – A simple question to Moses, intended to initiate the miracle and turn the staff into a tool in his hand.

These questions illustrate the complex dynamic between God and humanity in the Bible, serving as rhetorical, didactic, and educational tools that deepen our understanding of the text, the character of God, and humanity's place in the world. They enrich our understanding of the biblical figure of God and the rich relationship between Him and human beings.

 

Can it be Said That God is a Questioning Philosopher?

The assertion that God is a "questioning philosopher" is an interesting, perhaps non-religious, description that highlights aspects of the biblical figure of God; however, it's essential to be precise with terms. When speaking of God as "questioning," the intention is that He poses questions not out of a lack of knowledge (for, according to religious belief, He is omniscient), but for purposes of education, rebuke, self-reflection, holding up a mirror to humanity, deepening understanding, or emphasizing moral principles. In this sense, His questions serve as a dialectical tool that encourages thought and contemplation.

From this perspective, God creates a pedagogy of questioning or a space for questions, just as "Philosophy for Children," for example, seeks to keep children in a space where they ask questions, or alternatively, in progressive pedagogies where questioning is a tool for inquiry and research, for example, of existential-ethical ideas.

Does this make Him, God, a "philosopher"?

The term "philosopher" refers to a person who engages in systematic and rational inquiry into fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, and other related topics. Philosophers ask to understand, analyze, and build systems of thought.

 

Parallels Between God's Questions and Philosophy:

• Encouraging thought: God's questions prompt individuals to think deeply about their actions, their place in the world, and their relationship with God.
• Search for meaning: Questions like "Where art thou?" or "Where is Abel thy brother?" direct individuals to confront the moral and existential meaning of their actions.
• Posing existential challenges: In the Book of Job, God's questions confront Job with the magnitude of creation and the limits of human understanding, challenging his perception of justice and suffering.

 

However, There Are Fundamental Differences:

• Source of knowledge: A philosopher asks out of a search for knowledge. God, according to religious beliefs, is an omniscient being who asks others to understand and act, not to gain self-knowledge. However, He acts as a rather progressive pedagogue.
• Status: Philosophers are human beings seeking truth. God, according to religious beliefs, is the source of truth and the commander, and His questions are sometimes authoritative declarations. However, we have learned so far that He wraps His authority in humanity's ability to wander, for a while, in the realms of questioning—on the way to the divine answer?
• Purpose: While a philosopher strives for rational insight, the purpose of God's questions is often to lead to a spiritual or moral response or action.

 

To Summarize so Far,

Defining God as a "questioning philosopher" is a metaphor that emphasizes the dialogical and thought-provoking nature of divine communication in the Bible. It indicates that God is not merely a passive commander but an active participant in humanity's moral and spiritual development, using questions as a powerful tool. However, He does not "seek" answers in the human sense, but rather guides and directs through them. He can be called "the ultimate educator who asks questions" or "the guide to moral dialogue through questioning."

While the philosopher views questioning as a central tool for inquiry, critical reflection, and the construction of new knowledge, and asks to understand and know, in the religious sense, the situation is different for God. God does not need questions to understand or know, and He is perfect in His essence. His questions are a tool for action, not a means of seeking knowledge. They serve as an educational tool, for moral confrontation, to highlight principles, to invite dialogue, and to hold up a mirror to humanity. God asks to influence, educate, confront, and lead individuals to insight, correction, and moral action. Questioning God, at least in its religious sense, is a means of exercising His divine will, not of improving His knowledge. Is He performing pedagogical manipulation on humanity? Did He increase the use of questions after understanding the nature of the human being He created?

Therefore, the fundamental difference between questions in philosophy and God's questions lies in their origin and ultimate purpose. The philosopher asks out of intellectual curiosity, driven by an awareness of the limitations of human knowledge, and in pursuit of rational truth. His questions serve as a tool for learning, exploration, and knowledge building. God, on the other hand, asks out of absolute knowledge and supreme authority, and His desire to guide and influence the one being questioned. His questions reveal different facets of His character, such as His desire to share and maintain dialogue.

 

What if Human Beings Wrote the Words of God?

Suppose we assume that human beings wrote the words of God (with a belief in divine inspiration). In that case, it is probable and even necessary to assume that they possessed a philosophical mindset to some degree. Let's elaborate on this issue:

Existential and Moral Questions at the Heart of the Biblical Text:

The Torah and the Bible address fundamental philosophical questions, including the nature of good and evil, human responsibility, the relationship between humans and a higher power, justice and judgment, the origin of suffering, and the meaning of life and death. The formulation of moral questions and existential dilemmas reflects deep thought, which is at the core of philosophy.

Rationalization and Justification:

The text accompanies divine commandments with justifications or hints of justification, such as arguments of justice and mercy. The ability to formulate these justifications and present universal principles indicates philosophical thought processes on the part of the authors.

Logical Structure and Arguments:

Many parts of the Bible are structured logically, and dialogues, such as those between God and Abraham on specific topics, demonstrate the ability to conduct a rational debate and use rhetoric — characteristics of philosophical thought.

The Conception of God Himself:

The way God is described — as conducting a dialogue, posing challenges, and acting on principles — is a product of philosophical thought on the nature of divinity. The questions God "asks" express this conception of God.

Therefore, even if we assume divine inspiration, the human mind involved in formulating the texts exercised philosophical thinking abilities. These authors grappled with great existential questions and articulated them in ways that influenced Western philosophy. They were not philosophers in the modern sense, but they were thinkers with profound philosophical insight.

 

So, Shall We Call God "The Philosophical God"?

The designation "The Philosophical God" emphasizes the following aspects:

• A God who stimulates thought: God maintains a dialogue that encourages contemplation, critical thinking, and moral examination on the part of humanity. His questions direct individuals inward, toward their actions, and toward the meaning of existence — a distinct philosophical aspect.
• A God who acts according to principles: God is not arbitrary but acts according to principles of justice, judgment, grace, and truth, and is willing to engage in discussion concerning these principles.
• A God who creates moral and existential dilemmas: The Bible presents God as one who places humanity before difficult choices and dilemmas, necessitating profound philosophical engagement.
• A God who shapes a worldview: The biblical God presents a comprehensive worldview regarding creation, morality, and relationships, and the shaping of such a worldview is a philosophical act.

Therefore, it can be concluded here that "The Philosophical God" is a successful designation for describing the biblical figure of God as reflected in texts written by human beings with a deep philosophical consciousness. This is a God whose questions are an active tool for education, encouraging thought, and shaping moral and spiritual consciousness.

 

The Importance of Separating Human Beings from a Higher Power

The emphasis on separating human beings from a higher power stems from the need for conceptual precision, distinction in roles and purposes, respect for the religious perspective, and the prevention of excessive anthropomorphism. God is an omniscient, omnipotent, and transcendent being, while human beings are limited. God "asks" to educate, and the philosopher asks to learn. Maintaining this separation expresses respect for the religious perspective and prevents blurring the unique nature of God.

 

But What if God is, After All, a Human Invention?

If God is a human invention, the discussion of "the questioning God" and "the philosophical God" takes on an even more interesting and profound dimension. In this case, God's questions, as they appear at least in the Torah, are not a direct expression of a supreme being but a reflection of human consciousness.

• God as the embodiment of human philosophical thought: God's questions reflect humanity's inner need for self-reflection and confronting dilemmas. The "Philosophical God" becomes the philosophical human who projects their questions onto a divine figure.
• God as an internal educator: If God is an invention, then the "education" and "rebuke" from His side are internal mechanisms of human conscience and collective morality, formulating moral expectations for ourselves.
• God as a shaper of culture and morality: The human figures who created the stories of God used His figure to shape a society with values, laws, and justice, based on the understanding that a higher authority is an effective way to guide human behavior.
• God as a powerful rhetorical tool: The questioning God is a powerful rhetorical tool created by human beings, allowing moral messages to be presented dramatically and compellingly.

In conclusion, if God is a human invention, then His questions are a reflection of humanity's philosophical and moral thinking capacity. They represent the questions and dilemmas that humanity confronts, and how it tries to educate itself and its society for a better and more moral life.

This assumption does not diminish the value of the idea but shifts the focus of the discussion to psychology, sociology, anthropology, and the philosophy of culture. In such a case, God becomes a profound representation of human needs, aspirations, and characteristics:

• God as a response to the need for existence and meaning: Provides a cosmological framework that explains existence and alleviates anxieties, and gives meaning to suffering.
• God as a source of social order and morality: Provides a supreme authority for enforcing laws (like "an eye sees and an ear hears") and serves as a basis for universal morality.
• God as an expression of human aspirations: Perceived as a model of perfection and a mechanism for achieving utopian justice, providing hope.
• God as a driving force for change and growth: The figure of God serves as a constant call for humanity to examine itself, to develop, and to strive for a better version of itself. Appealing to God in times of crisis provides psychological strength and support.

Even if God is a human invention, it is a powerful invention created to fulfill deep human existential, moral, social, and psychological needs. He embodies a complex reflection of the human psyche and how we navigate the challenges of existence. And therefore, there is no doubt that humanity wanted its God to be a philosopher.