Does the Holy Bible testify that it is possible for us to know God?

The Holy Bible tell us that there are many ways by which we can know God:

First : we can know God through His amazing creation. The apostle Paul says, “because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1:19–20).

Second : God endowed humanity with an instinctive law: “who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them” (Rom. 2:15).

Third : when we observe God’s dealings with us and with other people through history, we realize that God does not forsake people, but looks to their needs at the appropriate time. This urges us to fortify ourselves with the knowledge of God as a powerful, loving, and wise Father.

Fourth : on the other hand, when the faithful ponder on God’s dealings with them, they come to realize that God has a plan for their lives, so they sing, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! ‘For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?’” (Rom. 11:33–34).

Fifth : the righteous people of God delight in encountering Him, witnessing His glory, and seeing Him sitting upon the throne. When they attempted to speak of God’s characteristics, they called Him the Judge, Almighty, Longsuffering, Truth, Merciful, etc. Gathering all these titles together, St. Clement of Alexandria says that God is above every name. And on this, the apostle Paul — who was caught up to the third heaven (2 Cor. 12:2) — said, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9). How much more does this apply to the One who is responsible for this glory?

God is named Light, Truth, Life, Almighty, All-Perfect, etc. These titles do not reveal the ineffable essence of God; they were granted to us that we might come to know Him insofar as our human weakness allows. We are a creation that is unable to know the essence of the Creator.

Sixth : we can know God through His divine revelation or inspiration. God proclaims His divine mysteries and His plan towards His beloved human beings to His prophets through visions or holy dreams; at times, through symbols, and at other times, more obviously. This is for the edification and salvation of humanity. We shall discuss divine revelation when we come to the relevant section.