Tags

Share this story

The Big Question: Is God Invisible?

We are told that God exists, that he is all around us, but few get to see him for themselves.  God’s visibility is a concept that has puzzled philosophers and religious thinkers for centuries. But that hasn’t stopped people from trying to answer the question: Is God invisible? 

It’s often said that “seeing is believing.” It’s a phrase that brings to mind the apostle Thomas—also known as Doubting Thomas. After Jesus’ return, Thomas refused to accept that he had risen from the dead. It was only after Thomas saw Jesus in the flesh and touched his wounds that he believed. But most of us never get a chance like that. That is what faith is—believing in what we cannot see. We are told that God exists, that he is all around us, but few get to see him for themselves.  God’s visibility is a concept that has puzzled philosophers and religious thinkers for centuries. But that hasn’t stopped people from trying to answer the question: Is God invisible? 

The sun setting behind the clouds.

1 of 12 Richard Shumack, research fellow at the Centre for Public Christianity in Australia

“He isn’t! At least, not all the time. Many people throughout history testify to epiphanies. Jesus’ visitation is the clearest of these. Nevertheless, east of Eden, God is usually invisible. This is the common experience for believer and unbeliever alike. Why is it like this? I believe God to be deliberately hiding His countenance to prevent humans coming to Him as mere spectators interested in prodding and examining Him. Instead, God provides the clues—including occasional unexpected visits—that lead to the proper path for humble ‘spiritual’ worshipers.”


A person's reflection in a puddle of water.

2 of 12

Beth Moore, author of Believing God

“We were created for the purpose of giving God’s invisible character a glimpse of visibility.”

Popular products

Two shadows of people displayed on the ground.

3 of 12 Preacher Billy Graham

“The Bible doesn’t tell us what God looks like—because he is invisible. And the reason we can’t see him is because he is a spiritual being—that is, he has no body or face or other physical form. That doesn’t mean he isn’t real, because he is. But he is far greater than anything we can imagine.” 


Two friends in an embrace.

4 of 12 1 John 4:12 (NIV)

“No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”


A large river surrounded by trees.

5 of 12

Natasha Crain, author of Talking with Your Kids About God

“It depends on what a person means by ‘invisible.’ Can we physically see God? Of course not. God is a spirit. But, contrary to what skeptics claim, that invisibility has no necessary bearing on whether or not God exists. We can be confident that God exists based on evidence—things like the origin and fine-tuning of the universe, the origin and complexity of life, our innate moral knowledge, and the incarnation of Jesus.” 

A woman dancing through a field of yellow flowers.

6 of 12 Saint Augustine of Hippo

“Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe.” 

Galaxy

7 of 12

Philip Yancey, author of Reaching for the Invisible God

“Yes and no. Yes, God is a spirit, one not normally detectable by our senses. Perhaps something like ‘dark matter,’ the main substance of the universe, which surrounds us though we can’t see it, but God may sometimes choose to take on a visible form, as with Moses and the burning bush.  More, God took on a human form in the person of Jesus, and now wants us, Jesus’ followers, to ‘make God visible’ by our love and service.”

Popular products

A yellow bird perched on a daisy.

8 of 12 Johannes Scotus Eriugena, Irish theologian, philosopher and poet

“Every visible and invisible creature is…a divine appearance.” 


A man walking across a dangerous draw bridge in the rainforest.

9 of 12

Craig Groeschel, author of Hope in the Dark: Believing God Is Good When Life Is Not

“It’s not easy to trust in a God you can’t see. That’s why so many want God to prove himself so we can trust him. In reality, God wants us to trust him so he can prove himself.”


A flower blooming through the snow.

10 of 12 A.W. Tozer, writer and pastor

“God dwells in His creation and is everywhere indivisibly present in all His works. He is transcendent above all His works even while He is immanent within them.”

Two silhouettes of people stargazing.

11 of 12 Jeff Anderson, speaker and author

“We see God in a way that is real to us. God is invisible, but we can still see and believe that he is real. There were prophets in the bible that heard the voice of God, and that can happen today though I haven’t personally experienced it. It can be a really strong sensation, or feeling. How God does that, I don’t know. But people have reported hearing from God that way. Inexplicable events that are so powerful they have to be from God. God is in the business of connecting with his children ongoing, all the time. That’s part of the relationship we’re seeking. We are drawn to experience a connection with this God we can’t see. There are things we do to invite God to step into our universe and reveal himself. Giving, praying and fasting. These things help us step into God’s view.”


A close up of an eye.

12 of 12

Anthony DeStefano, author of The Invisible World 

“The most important things in life can’t be seen with the eyes. Ideas can’t be seen. Love can’t be seen. Honor can’t be seen. This isn’t a new concept. Judaism and Christianity and Islam and Buddhism and Taoism have all taught for thousands of years that the highest forms of reality are invisible. God is invisible, and he created the universe. Our souls are invisible, and they give life to our bodies.”

Popular products

Share this story

Witnessing Heaven Series

True Stories of Transformation from Near-Death Experiences

Join the extraordinary Witnessing Heaven series and take an unforgettable journey through the stories of real people, just like you, who took a miraculous journey to heaven and back. Some of the books in the series are:

  • Book 1: Heavenly Encounters
  • Book 2: Messages from Heaven
  • Book 3: Transformed by Heaven
  • Book 4: A Love Beyond Words
  • Book 5: A Choir of Angels
  • Book 6: Scenes from Heaven
  • Book 7: A Joy Like No Other
  • Book 8: A Glorious Light
  • Book 9: In The Presence of Love
  • Book 10: Wonders of Heaven

You can join the series and save $2 per book, or you can purchase each book individually.

Read More and Order
Sweet Carolina Mysteries Right Rail Ad

Community Newsletter

Get More Inspiration Delivered to Your Inbox

Scroll to Top