Why don't any of the biblical writers describe God's beginning?

God is distant.
God is impersonal.
God is secretive.
God is unknowable.
God is without beginning.

3 answers

The absence of a description of God's beginning in the biblical text can be attributed to several theological and literary reasons:

  1. God's Eternal Nature: The Bible presents God as eternal and without beginning or end. For example, in the book of Exodus, God reveals Himself to Moses as "I AM WHO I AM," highlighting His self-existence and timelessness. This concept suggests that God's existence is not bound by the constraints of time, making the question of a "beginning" irrelevant.

  2. Focus on Relationship: Many biblical writers focus on the relationship between God and humanity rather than on God's nature or origin. This perspective encourages an understanding of God through His actions, covenants, and relationships with people rather than through abstract definitions or origin stories.

  3. Theological Intent: The writers of the Bible often had specific theological motivations. They sought to convey messages about God’s character, His covenantal relationship with Israel, and the salvation narrative. A focus on God's origin might detract from these central themes.

  4. Cultural Context: Ancient Near Eastern cultures often had creation myths and stories about the origins of their gods. However, the biblical writers adapted and transformed these narratives in a way that emphasized monotheism and the uniqueness of the God of Israel, who is distinct from the gods of neighboring cultures.

  5. Mystery and Transcendence: The Bible frequently emphasizes the mystery of God’s nature. While God reveals Himself in many ways, He remains ultimately beyond human comprehension. This mystery can suggest that certain aspects of God's nature, including His origin, may be beyond human understanding.

Overall, the biblical writers chose to convey a view of God primarily characterized by His relationship with creation, His eternal nature, and His sovereign actions, rather than delving into the question of God's beginnings.

pick one of the options that i listed

The most fitting option from your list would be "God is without beginning." This reflects the theological concept that God exists outside of time and has no origin, which aligns with the biblical portrayal of God as eternal and self-existent.