The question “Who created God?” is a profound and challenging one that touches the core of theological and philosophical inquiry. In Christian theology, God is understood as the eternal, uncaused cause of everything that exists. The Bible provides insights into God’s nature as the self-existent, uncreated being who is the source of all creation. Let’s explore what the Bible says about this and how it helps us understand the concept of God’s existence.
The Concept of God’s Eternality
- Genesis 1:1
“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
The very first verse of the Bible asserts God’s role as the Creator. The phrase “In the beginning” denotes the start of time as we know it. God exists before and beyond this beginning, indicating that He is not bound by time and is the initiator of all creation. There is no mention of God’s origin because He is understood to be eternal.
- Psalm 90:2
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
This verse from Psalm 90 underscores God’s eternal existence. The phrase “from everlasting to everlasting” emphasizes that God has no beginning or end. He is beyond the temporal constraints that define the created world. This eternal nature implies that God was not created but has always existed.
- Isaiah 43:10
“You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me.”
Here, God declares His unique and singular existence. There were no gods before Him, and there will be none after Him. This reinforces the idea that God is the only eternal being, uncreated and self-existent.
- Revelation 1:8
“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
In this verse, God identifies Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. This title conveys that God encompasses all of existence, from the start to the finish. It emphasizes His eternal nature and uncreated existence.
Interpretation and Theological Insights
- The Self-Existent Nature of God
The Bible portrays God as self-existent, meaning He is not dependent on anything or anyone for His existence. This concept is known as “aseity,” derived from the Latin phrase “a se,” meaning “from oneself.” God is the uncaused cause, the foundational being from whom everything else derives. This is seen in God’s declaration to Moses in Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.” This name signifies His self-existence and eternal nature.
- Philosophical Considerations
Philosophically, the idea of an uncreated creator addresses the problem of infinite regress. If everything needed a creator, we would end up with an endless chain of creators, which is illogical. Therefore, the concept of an uncaused cause—God—stops this regress. God is the necessary being who exists by necessity and provides the foundation for the existence of everything else.
- God as the Source of All Existence
Colossians 1:16-17 states, “For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” This passage emphasizes that God is the source and sustainer of all creation. Everything exists through Him, and nothing exists apart from Him.
Conclusion
The question “Who created God?” is rooted in a misunderstanding of God’s nature. According to the Bible, God is eternal, self-existent, and uncreated. He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, existing beyond the confines of time and space. This understanding highlights the uniqueness of God as the ultimate source of all existence. By grasping these biblical truths, we can appreciate the depth and mystery of God’s eternal nature and His role as the foundation of all that is.
