Sventsitsky Valentin, Archpriest. - Dialogues - Dialogue Two. About God

Confessor. But does your mind "comprehend" the concepts of the infinity of space and the infinity of time? It is absurd for you, because the omnipresent God is incomprehensible. But how absurd, though equally incomprehensible, is "infinite" space! Can you, by the nature of your mind, think of something that has no end and no limit? Since space is "reality" for you, try to draw a line "without end" in your mind, try to imagine a universe that has no limit. Imagine that you are counting billions of miles somewhere far away from the Earth on which you are standing, and no matter how many miles you count, you are not in the least approaching the end. You could count these miles for thousands of years and still be in the same position, because there is no end at all... Try to imagine all this, and you will understand with complete clarity the impossibility for the human mind to comprehend the concept of infinity. You think of everything as having a limit. Such is the quality of your limited mind. And if you set the same task in relation to time, your mind will be in the same helpless position.

And the utter inability of your mind to comprehend the concept of eternity will become absolutely evident to you. And so, in spite of this impossibility of comprehending the infinity of time, you affirm the undoubted reality of both.

Unknown. This is inevitable. How can I admit a limit? It is clear that, although my mind is incapable of conceiving the infinite, it would be absurd to admit a limit, for no matter how enormous a figure we may take, it is always possible to increase it still more.

Confessor. Exactly. The situation of your mind is hopeless: on the one hand, it is impossible to imagine infinity, on the other hand, it is impossible to set a limit. You find a way out of this hopeless situation by recognizing the unknowable concept of infinity as undoubtedly existing. Isn't it?

Unknown. Yes, that's right.

Confessor. But such is the position of the human mind in the question of God. It is impossible to comprehend it. It is ridiculous to deny. There remains only one thing: to recognize His existence as both incomprehensible and indubitable.

Unknown. An analogy can hardly be a proof.

Confessor. I don't prove it. I only object to the proposition: "We recognize everything as existing only to the extent that we can comprehend it with reason." I want you, in affirming unbelief, not to expand your rights in comparison with those who affirm faith. And what you demand faith from the reason of people, demand also from the reason of people who deny faith. If, in your opinion, the believing mind must recognize only the "knowable" as really existing, then let the unbelieving reason recognize only the knowable as really existing. And if you recognize the right of the unbelieving mind to recognize the "infinity" incomprehensible to reason, on what grounds do you deprive the believing mind of the right to recognize the incomprehensible God?

Unknown. But by denying infinity, we arrive at absurdity.

Confessor. In my opinion, when we deny God, we come to the same conclusion.

Unknown. Yes, perhaps your analogy is correct. But will you show me the absurdity of denying God?

Confessor. Certainly. In the right place.

Unknown. Well done. Can I go on now?

Confessor. Go on.