Questions and Answers

Does God dwell in darkness or light?

These are likely to be metaphors and it would seem unwise to take such language too literally when describing God.

But what could such seemingly contradictory metaphors convey? Note that in both cases there is the theme of the unsearchableness of God. That is, the light is unapproachable and the darkness is thick and covers a secret place. Thus, these verses could actually be teaching the same thing - simply that God is unapproachable.

One could also note that Paul's account is quite optimistic following from a consideration of Christ. But the eyes of the blind have been opened! Or it could be said that the verses in 1 Kings and Psalms need be nothing more than a description of God perceived through the memory of His interation with His people described in Exodus 19:9.

• 1 Kings 8:12 - LORD has said that he would dwell in a dark cloud
• Psalms 18:11 - He made darkness his covering,
• Psalms 97:2 - Clouds and thick darkness surround him;

• 1 Timothy 6:16 - Lives in unapproachable light
• 1 John 1:5 - God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.