Article May 31, 1999 Issue

What is God?

with contributions from Kay Ramsdell Olson, Honor Ramsay Hill, Elaine R. Follis, Curtis C. Snider, Marilyn J. Smith, Beverley Mills, Verta B. Driver, Fenella Bennetts

A SINGLE WORD—GOD— isn't adequate to convey the nature of the infinite, Supreme Being. So we asked a handful of readers what other words they use to help them understand God better. The range of responses here hints at the fullness of divinity and highlights the tenderness of our relation to God.

This question, What is God? simmered in me all my growing-up years. In college, the question grew more urgent. One night my roommate and I decided to stay up as long as it took to get an answer.

We sat by the window, looking up at the moonlit, starry night and began: "God is ...." We stopped and looked at each other with the unfinished statement hanging in the air. Then, we looked out the window again, hoping we'd get inspiration from a God "out there somewhere." We began again: "God is ...." This went on into the night until we finally gave up.

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