Opening Questions:
1. How would you define Divine Hiddenness?
2. On a scale from 1 to 10 how would you rate how problematic Divine Hiddenness is in the area of evangelism and apologetics?
3. Have you personally ever struggled with this issue?
Whiteboard Sessions:
1. Name all of the ways that you can that God is considered to be hidden.
2. Name all of the ways that you can that God has been revealed.
BOA Question: Is it true that the “Problem of Divine Hiddenness” is a favorite atheist or agnostic argument?
ChatGPT answer:
Yes.
The Problem of Divine Hiddenness is widely regarded as one of the major contemporary philosophical arguments against the existence of God, particularly among atheist and agnostic philosophers.
In fact, I would put it alongside the Problem of Evil as one of the most significant intellectual challenges to traditional Christian theism.
There is an important qualification, however: it is particularly prominent in academic philosophy of religion and among philosophically informed atheists and agnostics. We shouldn’t assume that it is necessarily the favorite argument of atheists generally.
What is the argument?
The argument, most commonly associated with philosopher J. L. Schellenberg, can be summarized as follows:
–1. If a perfectly loving God exists, God would be open to a personal relationship with every person capable of having one.
–2. A person cannot have a personal relationship with God if that person does not believe God exists.
–3. There are people who are genuinely open to having a relationship with God but do not believe God exists (often called nonresistant nonbelievers).
–4. Therefore, a perfectly loving God does not exist.
The central question is not simply why God doesn’t make His existence more obvious. It is why a loving God would allow sincere people to remain unconvinced of His existence.
BOA Question: What is the “problem of Divine Hiddenness”?
From the first four paragraphs of the paper:
Grappling with Divine Hiddenness: Why Does God Not Make His Existence More Obvious
by Jonathan McClathie
https://jonathanmclatchie.com/grappling-with-divine-hiddenness-why-does-god-not-make-his-existence-more-obvious/
“One of the most challenging objections to the existence of God is the problem of divine hiddenness. Closely related to the problem of evil, the problem of divine hiddenness asks “Where is God?”; “Why doesn’t God make His existence more obvious?”; “Why does God leave any room for doubt?” Surely God, if He existed, would not need apologists to make the case for His existence — couldn’t He have made it more immediately apparent? Related to these concerns is the problem of unanswered prayer. Why do so many peoples’ prayers go unanswered, often despite years of persistent prayer? The problem is even connected to the problem of evil, since one may ask why God apparently fails to show up to put an end to evil and unjust suffering in our world. These are indeed difficult questions that deserve to be taken seriously and thoughtfully considered.
The Biblical authors also recognized and grappled with divine hiddenness. For example, the Psalmist asked “Why, O LORD, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Ps 10:1). Another Psalm likewise says “Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord? Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever! Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression? For our soul is bowed down to the dust; our belly clings to the ground. Rise up; come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!” (Ps 44:23-26). One could continue in a similar vein for some time. The problem of divine hiddenness is, in my judgment, one of the best arguments against the existence of God. It has its most articulate and erudite defense, to my knowledge, in the work of Canadian philosopher John L. Schellenberg (see his book The Hiddenness Argument — Philosophy’s New Challenge to Belief in God). [1]
The problem is particularly difficult on an emotional level. Schellenberg draws the analogy of a friend describing his parents: “Wow, are they ever great — I wish everyone could have parents like mine, who are so wonderfully loving! Granted, they don’t want anything to do with me. They’ve never been around. Sometimes I find myself looking for them — once, I have to admit, I even called out for them when I was sick — but to no avail. Apparently they aren’t open to being in a relationship with me — at least not yet. But it’s so good that they love me as much and as beautifully as they do!” [2] This analogy should give a sense of the impact of this argument, rhetorically and emotionally.
While it may be admitted that the argument from divine hiddenness is one of the most perplexing issues for the theist to come to terms with, especially emotionally, the real question that needs to be addressed is that of whether it offers sufficient ground to overhaul the powerful cumulative positive reasons to believe that God exists and that He has revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. I will argue in this article that the answer is ‘no’.”
Other ways to ask the question of Divine Hiddenness:
–1. If God exists, why doesn’t He make Himself more obvious?
–2. If God loves us and wants a relationship with us, why does He remain hidden?
–3. What about people who sincerely seek God but never find Him?
–4. Why would a loving God allow honest, intellectually sincere people to remain atheists?
–5. If God wants everyone to be saved, why doesn’t He provide undeniable evidence of His existence?
BOA, Let’s look at a few short form videos to explore the question of Divine Hiddenness.
Video Author: William Lane Craig, drcraigvideos
Video Title: Why doesn’t God physically reveal Himself?
Video Time: 2:51
Pause at :31 and let the students answer first?
What are the strengths and weaknesses of WLC’s answer?
—-
Video Author: Bobby Conway for CrossExamined
Video Title: Bobby Conway Unpacks the Divine Hiddenness Argument?
Video Description: Have you ever questioned your skepticism? CrossExamined Apologetics Team member Dr. Bobby Conway shares some thought-provoking questions for non-resistant skeptics and advice on overcoming irrational skepticism
Video Time: 5:51
How effective are Bobby’s questions?
Video Author: Frank Turek, CrossExamined
Video Title: Frank Encourages Agnostic Who Struggles with the Hiddenness of God?
Video Time: 8:34
Did Luke the questioner appear sincere to you?
Do you agree with Franks assertion that their may want certain people to take time to come to Him?
What was your overall impression on Luke’s questions and Franks answers?
BOA Closing Questions:
1. What about Divine Hiddenness do you struggle with the most?
2. What is your best argument to counter the problem of Divine Hiddenness?
——————-
For Further Study and a more complete treatment on this topic please consider:
Video Author: Gavin Ortlund
Video Title: Divine Hiddenness: My Response to Alex O’Connor
Video Time: 1:10:15
Video Description: Gavin Ortlund responds to @CosmicSkeptic Alex O’Connor on the argument from divine hiddenness.
Video List:
00:00 – Introduction
01:54 – Description of the Hiddenness Argument
12:38 – History of the Hiddenness Argument
20:14 – Thesis 1: Expectations About Divine Love
27:32 – Thesis 2: Nonresistant Nonbelief Naivete
42:14 – Thesis 3: Hiddenness Has Its Perks
1:02:38 – Concluding Appeal
Video Author: Daily Dose of Wisdom with Gavin Orltund
Video Title: If GOD Is Real, Why Isn’t He More OBVIOUS?
NOTE: This is a response video to Gavin’s previous video with Alex O’Connor
Video Time: 57:35
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BOA Summary:
It is true that God doesn’t normally appear to us in daily life for most people.
BOA argues that God is NOT Hidden in that he is revealed in the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Please consider the evidence for this as you seek to know God.