The question “Who created God?” is one that has been asked by many throughout history. It’s a question that touches on the nature of God, the concept of eternity, and the limits of human understanding. From a biblical perspective, the answer is clear: God is uncreated, eternal, and self-existent. Understanding this concept is fundamental to grasping the nature of God as presented in the Bible, and it helps to frame our understanding of existence, creation, and the divine.
The Eternal Nature of God
God Is Eternal
The Bible teaches that God is eternal, meaning He has no beginning and no end. He exists outside of time and space, which He Himself created. This concept is foundational to the biblical understanding of God’s nature.
Psalm 90:2 (NIV):
“Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
This verse emphasizes that God has always existed—He is “from everlasting to everlasting.” Unlike everything else in the universe, which had a starting point, God has always been and will always be.
The Self-Existence of God
God’s self-existence, also known as aseity, means that He is not dependent on anything or anyone for His existence. He is the source of all life and existence but is Himself uncaused and uncreated.
Exodus 3:14 (NIV):
“God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: “I AM has sent me to you.”'”
In this declaration to Moses, God reveals Himself as “I AM,” signifying His eternal and self-existent nature. This name, often rendered as Yahweh, conveys that God is the foundational being who simply “is,” without origin or end.
The Limits of Human Understanding
God Transcends Creation
The question of who created God arises from the assumption that everything must have a cause or a creator. This is true for everything within the created order, but God is not part of the creation—He is the Creator. As such, the categories of time, cause, and effect do not apply to Him in the same way they do to the created world.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV):
“‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'”
This passage reminds us that God’s nature and ways are far beyond human understanding. His existence is not bound by the limitations of time, space, or causality that govern the created universe.
The Nature of Time and Eternity
From a human perspective, everything has a beginning and an end, because we live within the confines of time. However, God exists outside of time. He created time as part of the universe, but He Himself is not bound by it.
Revelation 1:8 (NIV):
“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'”
God’s self-identification as the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end—illustrates that He encompasses all of time but is not limited by it. He is eternal, existing before time began and continuing to exist after time as we know it will end.
The Uncreated Creator
God as the First Cause
Philosophically, the concept of God as the “Uncaused Cause” or the “First Cause” is an important argument for God’s existence. Everything in the universe has a cause, but to avoid an infinite regress of causes, there must be a first cause that itself is uncaused. The Bible presents God as this first cause.
Colossians 1:16-17 (NIV):
“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.”
These verses from Colossians affirm that God is the creator of all things, and that He existed before anything else. As the creator and sustainer of the universe, God Himself is not created but is the origin of all creation.
The Mystery of God’s Nature
While the Bible provides clear teachings about God’s eternal and uncreated nature, it also acknowledges that there are aspects of God’s nature that are beyond human comprehension. This mystery is part of what makes God, God—an infinite being beyond the full understanding of finite creatures.
Romans 11:33 (NIV):
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
Paul’s exclamation in Romans reflects the awe and wonder that comes with contemplating God’s infinite nature. While we can know God truly through His revelation, we cannot know Him exhaustively, and there are aspects of His existence that remain a divine mystery.
Trusting in the Eternal God
Faith in God’s Unchanging Nature
Understanding that God is eternal and uncreated brings comfort and assurance to believers. God’s unchanging nature means that He is always reliable, always present, and always sovereign over all things.
Malachi 3:6 (NIV):
“I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.”
God’s immutability, or unchanging nature, is directly tied to His eternal existence. Because He is uncreated and self-existent, He is not subject to change or decay. This makes Him a firm foundation for our faith and trust.
Worshiping the Eternal God
The realization that God is the uncreated creator, existing from eternity past to eternity future, should lead believers to worship and reverence. God’s eternal nature is a reminder of His majesty and the greatness of His being.
Psalm 90:1-2 (NIV):
“Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
This Psalm captures the essence of worshiping the eternal God, recognizing that He has always been and always will be the refuge and foundation for His people.
Conclusion
The question of “Who created God?” reflects a natural human curiosity about the origins of all things, but it also reveals the limitations of human understanding when it comes to the divine. From a biblical perspective, God is uncreated, eternal, and self-existent. He is the uncaused cause, the first and the last, and the source of all life and existence. Understanding this truth leads to a deeper appreciation of God’s majesty, His sovereignty, and His incomprehensible nature. As believers, we are called to trust in the eternal God, whose unchanging nature provides a sure foundation for our faith and a reason for our worship.