The question “How old is God?” is as ancient as humanity itself, intriguing believers, skeptics, philosophers, and scholars alike. At first glance, asking about God’s age might seem straightforward — after all, we ask the same of people, places, and things. But when it comes to the divine, especially a supreme, eternal being, the concept of age takes on a different meaning.
Is God bound by time? Can God have a beginning or an end? Or is God eternal, existing outside the constraints of time altogether?
This article dives deep into these questions from multiple perspectives — religious, philosophical, and even scientific — providing a comprehensive exploration of God’s age and eternal nature.
Understanding God Across Different Beliefs and Philosophies
To understand how old God is, we first need to explore how different religions and philosophies define God and His relationship with time.
God in Monotheistic Religions
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam typically describe God as eternal, infinite, and unchanging.
God is considered the creator of time, space, and the universe, thus existing outside of time.
God in Polytheistic Religions
In traditions like Hinduism, gods can be eternal or cyclical in nature. Time is often viewed as cyclical, with gods undergoing endless cycles of creation and destruction.
Other mythologies depict gods with origins and lifespans, similar to humans but often vastly extended.
Philosophical Views
Philosophers like Aristotle and Aquinas conceptualized God as a “necessary being,” eternal and uncaused, existing beyond temporal bounds.
The idea of timelessness suggests God exists outside past, present, and future.
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Theological Concepts: Is God Bound by Time?
Eternity vs. Timelessness
Eternity can mean either infinite duration through time or existence outside time altogether.
Many theologians argue God exists in a timeless state — He is not measured by years or any temporal metric.
Scriptural References to God’s Eternal Nature
Psalm 90:2 (Bible): “Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Quran 57:3: “He is the First and the Last, the Ascendant and the Intimate, and He is, of all things, Knowing.”
These verses emphasize God’s existence beyond the confines of earthly time.
How Old Is God According to the Bible?
The Bible does not give God an age as humans understand it, but it repeatedly emphasizes God’s eternality.
God is described as the Alpha and Omega — the beginning and the end.
In Genesis 1:1, God is the creator of the heavens and the earth, implying He existed before creation began.
Interpretations by Biblical Scholars
Many scholars agree that God is timeless and eternal, making the question of His age irrelevant.
Attempts to assign an age to God contradict the Bible’s depiction of Him as infinite.
The Islamic Perspective on God’s Age
In Islam, Allah is uniquely defined as eternal, without beginning or end.
The Quran denies God having a birth or death: “There is nothing like unto Him” (Quran 42:11), indicating transcendence over time and form.
Islamic scholars emphasize God’s transcendence, meaning God is beyond human comprehension, including temporal concepts like age.
Jewish Views on God’s Age
Jewish tradition holds God as eternal, existing beyond time.
Kabbalistic teachings discuss God as infinite light and being beyond physical limits.
The concept of Ein Sof in Kabbalah refers to God’s boundlessness and timelessness.
Hinduism and the Divine Timelessness
Hindu cosmology views time as cyclical, with infinite repeating cycles (Yugas).
Gods such as Brahma have life spans measured in billions of years, symbolizing cosmic time scales.
The Supreme Reality (Brahman) is eternal, beyond time and form.
Philosophical and Metaphysical Perspectives on God’s Age
Classical Philosophy
Aristotle’s Unmoved Mover is eternal and outside time.
St. Thomas Aquinas argued God is a necessary being without beginning or end.
Modern Philosophy
Many contemporary philosophers maintain God exists outside time — making the concept of “age” inapplicable.
Scientific and Cosmological Views Related to God and Time
Science does not measure God’s age but provides insights into the origin of time.
The Big Bang Theory posits that time and space began about 13.8 billion years ago.
If God created time, then God is outside of that temporal framework — eternal and unbounded.
Common Misconceptions About God’s Age
Some think God must have an age similar to humans or physical objects.
Others confuse eternal existence with an infinite timeline inside time.
Cultural storytelling sometimes personifies gods with lifespans for narrative ease.
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How Faith Traditions Address the Question
Many religious teachings encourage believers to accept God’s eternal nature as a mystery.
The focus is often on the relationship with God rather than His age.
Impact of Beliefs About God’s Age on Faith and Worship
Believing in an eternal God inspires concepts of infinite mercy and timeless justice.
It influences spiritual perspectives on life, death, and eternity.
How Old Is God FAQs
Q: Is God’s age measurable?
A: No, because God is understood as eternal and outside of time.
Q: Does the Bible mention God’s age?
A: The Bible emphasizes God’s eternal nature but does not specify an age.
Q: Why do some religions say God is eternal?
A: Because God is seen as the creator of time and existence, not bound by it.
Q: Can God have a beginning?
A: Most theological traditions argue God is uncaused and without beginning.
Q: How does the concept of time relate to God?
A: God is often described as existing outside or beyond time.
Q: Is God older than the universe?
A: If God created the universe, then God exists beyond or before it.
Q: Can science prove or disprove God’s age?
A: Science cannot measure God’s age but explains the origin of time and space.
Q: What does timelessness mean in theology?
A: Timelessness means existence outside of temporal constraints.
Q: How do different cultures view God’s age?
A: Views vary, but many emphasize eternity or cyclical time.
Q: Can humans truly understand God’s nature?
A: Many traditions say God’s full nature is beyond human comprehension.
Conclusion
Asking “How old is God?” ultimately invites us to explore the nature of existence, time, and infinity. Across religions and philosophies, God is overwhelmingly described as eternal, beyond the constraints of time, and unmeasurable by human standards.
This mystery underscores the profound difference between divine and human existence — reminding us that some truths may forever lie beyond full human understanding, inviting faith, reflection, and humility.