Chapter 8

The Hiddenness of God as Evidence for God

Why Can't We See and Talk to God Face to Face?

One of the most compelling arguments against God's existence is His apparent absence from our observable world. Yet Unlocking Truth presents a counter-intuitive thesis: God's hiddenness actually constitutes evidence for His existence, not against it.

The Freedom to Choose Love

The book argues that if God—described as the Creator of galaxies and the designer of the human brain, pure in goodness and holiness—were to reveal Himself fully, we would be completely overwhelmed by His presence. His sheer majesty would compel us to fall in adoration, not by choice, but because His overwhelming glory would overpower our will.

But could we truly say we had freedom to choose Him under such circumstances? Likely not. His overwhelming presence would make belief inevitable rather than free. Since God desires a relationship based on love that is freely chosen, not coerced, He remains hidden—not absent, but concealed enough to preserve our freedom to choose.

The Problem with Materialism

The book challenges materialist assumptions that demand only empirical evidence. Materialists like Sam Harris argue that free will is an illusion, reducing love to mere biochemical reactions. Yet our lived experiences suggest otherwise. We feel profound love for spouses, children, and parents—emotions that often contradict survival instincts rather than supporting them.

If we're purely material beings, these deep human experiences become meaningless illusions. The alternative is that love and free will are genuine, pointing toward a reality beyond the physical world.

God's Balanced Revelation

Following Pascal's insight, the book explains that God provides sufficient evidence for sincere seekers while remaining concealed from those refusing belief. As Pascal wrote, "There is enough light for those who wish to see and enough darkness for those who do not."

God reveals Himself through scripture, nature, and personal experience—enough for those earnestly seeking Him, but not so much as to override human choice. This preserves the voluntary nature of faith and love.

The Necessity of Hiddenness

If God provided undeniable proof of His existence, belief would become compulsory and love would cease to be freely chosen. Unlocking Truth argues that God's hiddenness allows for authentic seeking while preserving the freedom essential to genuine love and relationship.

Rather than evidence against God's existence, divine hiddenness reflects His desire for us to come to Him freely, making the case that His concealment paradoxically strengthens evidence for His reality.