THE ATHEIST'S COMPLAINT:
Can God be seen? Several verses indicate that He can be (Genesis 12:7; 17:1; 18:1; 26:2, 24; 32:30; 35:1, 7, 9, 48:3; Exodus 3:16; 4:5; 6:3; 24:9-11; 33:11, 23; Numbers 14:14; Deuteronomy 5:4; 34:10; Judges 13:22; 1 Kings 22:19; Job 42:5; Psalm 63:2; Isaiah 6:1, 5; Ezekiel 20:35; Amos 7:7; 9:1; Habakkuk 3:3-5). However, there are some verses which say He cannot be seen (Exodus 33:20; John 1:18; 6:46; 1 Timothy 1:17; 6:16; 1 John 4:12). Is there a contradiction?

RESPONSE:
Let us take notice that God said regarding Himself, "You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live." (Exodus 33:20). Every text thereafter which states that man cannot see God, as listed above, draw upon this text for their meaning. In the very context of this statement, Moses saw the Lord's back (v 23), but could not witness the glory of His face. Other texts which say that God cannot be seen do not exceed the limitation established in this text.

Now, of the list wherein it is mentioned that God can be seen, notice, many texts do not indicate how the Lord can/has been seen. Certainly, no contradictions exists in these cases. However, there are a few texts which we need to devote closer attention to. In Genesis 32:30, Exodus 33:11, Numbers 14:14, Deuteronomy 5:4, 34:10, and Ezekiel 20:35, we read of the Lord being seen "face to face".

In Genesis 32:30, we are given Jacob's perception of what took place, not necessarily what took place. Since no man can see God face to face, it would be correct to conclude that Jacob was in error (compare Judges 13:22).

In Exodus 33:11, Deuteronomy 5:4; 34:10 and Ezekiel 20:35, it mentions the Lord speaking with Moses and with Israel face to face. The Exodus text is in the very context where we are told that no man can see God face to face and live. The phrase here no doubt indicates intimacy, and not a literal "face to face" meeting.

In Numbers 14:14, Moses, pleading for the people of Israel mentions how the nations have heard how He is seen face to face. The thought is that the enemies of the Lord see Him face to face, that is, they are destroyed by His wrath which comes upon them. Again, it is used in a figurative fashion.

There is no contradiction.

This article is a response to Skeptic's Annotated Bible

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