The Lens Through Which We Read
Chapter Three: God is Immutable
Interpreting in Light of His Unchanging Nature
The world changes. People change. Circumstances shift. But God does not change.
This truth—often called immutability—is one of the most comforting and necessary attributes of God. It means that He is not evolving, adapting, or reacting in the way humans do.
And if we forget this, we will read the Bible as if God is just like us:
Emotional and unpredictable
Conflicted and unstable
Capable of contradicting Himself
But the God who gave us His Word is perfect and unchanging. And if we are to interpret Scripture faithfully, we must do so with this conviction always before us: God is today who He has always been—and He will never be anything less.
What Does It Mean That God Is Immutable?
God’s immutability means:
His character does not change
His promises do not fail
His will does not fluctuate
His truth does not evolve with the times
“For I, Yahweh, don’t change…” – Malachi 3:6 (WEB)
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” – Hebrews 13:8 (WEB)
He is not swayed by emotions, cultural developments, or new information. He has no growth curve and no learning process.
He is eternally perfect—so there is no reason for Him to change, and no possibility that He would.
Why This Matters for Interpretation
Many interpretive errors arise when readers assume that:
God has changed from the Old Testament to the New
God’s emotional language reflects volatility
God’s promises may no longer apply
God's view of morality or judgment has evolved with human culture
Each of these errors violates the foundation of immutability. And each leads to confusion, compromise, or contradiction in how we read the Bible.
Misinterpretations That Ignore Immutability
1. “The God of the Old Testament Is Different Than Jesus”
This is one of the most popular errors in modern theology. People contrast God’s wrath in the Old Testament with Jesus’ love in the New—as if God mellowed over time.
But Jesus is God. He affirms the Law. He preaches judgment. He cleanses the temple. He will return in flaming fire (2 Thessalonians 1:8).
The God of both Testaments is the same—holy, just, merciful, and faithful.
2. “God Changes His Mind Based on Human Actions”
Some point to texts like:
“God repented that He had made man…” (Genesis 6:6)
“God changed His mind about the disaster…” (Jonah 3:10)
These are anthropomorphic expressions—God using human language to communicate truth in a way we can understand. They do not mean God is learning or regretting in a human sense. His plans are eternal. His purposes are perfect. What changes is the human situation—not God's character or decree.
3. “God’s Moral Standards Have Evolved”
Some suggest that things once condemned (e.g., certain sexual ethics, exclusive truth claims, judgment) are no longer relevant.
But God’s standard of holiness flows from His nature, and His nature does not change. What was sin in Genesis is sin in Romans. What God called good in the Law, He still calls good in the Gospels.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, nor turning shadow.” – James 1:17 (WEB)
Examples Where Immutability Is Essential
God’s Promises
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent.” – Numbers 23:19 (WEB)
His covenants do not shift with human unfaithfulness. His salvation is secure because He is faithful to His word.
The Gospel
If God were changeable, we could never trust His offer of salvation. But because He is immutable, Christ’s finished work is eternally sufficient. The God who justifies today is the same God who poured wrath on Christ at the cross—and He has not changed His verdict.
Judgment and Hope
God’s immutability guarantees that sin will be judged—and that grace will be sufficient. It is the foundation of both warning and comfort.
Why This Is Pastoral as Well as Theological
When life is uncertain, God is not
When emotions fluctuate, God does not
When doctrine feels controversial, God’s truth stands
To interpret Scripture faithfully is to rest in the confidence that the Author is never in revision mode.
Conclusion: Let God Be Consistent
The temptation to reinterpret God to fit the times is strong. But the moment we do, we lose the God who speaks, saves, and judges with perfect integrity. God is unchanging—and that is our anchor.
When we interpret Scripture through the lens of His immutability, we stop being tossed by cultural winds or theological trends.
We stand firm.
And we see the Word as it is: Eternal truth, from the eternal God.