JACKSON, Tenn. — Aug. 25, 2025 — Knowing God is essential to how Christians live their lives, Union University President Samuel W. “Dub” Oliver said Aug. 22.
“God is knowable,” Oliver said. “We can have knowledge of him. We can have saving knowledge. We can always increase in knowledge, even as we acknowledge that it will only be in eternity that we will fully know God.”
Oliver spoke during the fall convocation held in G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel, focusing on article 2 of Union’s statement of faith. He emphasized the importance of a statement of faith because it not only explains Union’s beliefs succinctly, but it also keeps the university focused on its mission and “serves as a discipleship tool for our students and others who look to the university for guidance.”
Last year, Oliver began a focus on the statement of faith with an address about the first article that discusses Union’s view of Scripture.
Article 2 affirms key biblical truths about God. Oliver said, “We are focused this year on God.” Union’s verse of the year, 1 Timothy 1:17, was chosen from the supporting verses in article 2.
“I want to be clear,” Oliver said. “A convocation address cannot plumb the depths of the doctrine of God. Frankly, neither can a year of our focused attention. Even still, I trust that God will use it to help us know him better.”
Oliver noted that the knowledge of God is dependent upon God’s revelation of himself. Referencing A.J. Conyers’ “A Basic Christian Theology,” he said that revelation is a key aspect of Christian theology because nature is an “incomplete and inadequate source of knowledge,” sin skews people’s vision and reasoning, and lastly, humanity responds to what God has revealed.
“Having that background is important because we can only know God as he reveals himself to us,” Oliver said.
He discussed the Trinity and the understanding that there are no distinctions nor division between the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Knowing this about God matters.
“The Bible is very concerned that our hearts and minds align with God,” Oliver said. Oliver mentioned that there is evidence when Christians know God. Citing J.I. Packer’s “Knowing God,” he said that those who know God have great energy for God, great thoughts of God, great boldness for God and great contentment in God.
“I want those statements and qualities to describe you as well, and I want those qualities to describe our Union community as a whole,” Oliver said.
Listing references from the Bible, Oliver emphasized that God is unchanging and is the same yesterday, today and forever, and his ways and purposes also do not change.
“God is majestic, glorious, omnipotent, incomparable, wise, omniscient, trustworthy, loving, gracious, just, personal, perfect, holy, righteous, marvelous, awesome, light, infinite,” he said. “He is the reality behind all reality. He's the underlying cause of all causes and all events.”
As article 2 of Union’s statement of faith concludes with a summary of God as Father, Oliver shared four characteristics of God that can be seen through God’s fatherly relationship with Jesus.
“God’s fatherly relation implies authority, love, fellowship and honor,” Oliver said. “Though God is the king of the ages, it's not his wish to live at a distance from his subjects. Oh, the depths and riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God.”
Oliver encouraged the Union community to pursue knowing God.
“Let's press on to know God and to bring glory to him by our works here on earth,” he said. “To the king of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
The full address is available at vimeo.com/showcase/11339743?video=1112311139.