In him, all things hold together. Would that include darkness?

[TonyChanYT]

Isaiah 45:

7 I form light and create darkness.

1 John 1:

5 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

But then, Colossians 1:

17 he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

How can all things hold together in him if there is no darkness in him? Is the darkness that he created in him?

Let's see the context, Colossians 1:

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. 17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

The word "all" appears 5 times in this passage. The phrase "in him" appears twice. Paul depicts a unifying and universal framework in which all created things exist. All normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy exist in this universal framework.

Is there anything outside of this framework?

No, except the uncreated God himself.

1 John 1:

5 God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

This metaphor refers to God as a person, not as the universal framework. God is a moral agent as a person.

How can all things hold together in him1 if there is no darkness in him2?

him1 refers to the universal framework; him2 refers to God as the moral agent. They do not refer to the same entity.

In him, all things hold together. Would that include darkness?

If by "darkness", you mean dark materials in the universe, then yes.

If by "darkness", you mean evil, then no.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

Isaiah 45:


1 John 1:


But then, Colossians 1:


How can all things hold together in him if there is no darkness in him? Is the darkness that he created in him?

Let's see the context, Colossians 1:


The word "all" appears 5 times in this passage. The phrase "in him" appears twice. Paul depicts a unifying and universal framework in which all created things exist. All normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy exist in this universal framework.

Is there anything outside of this framework?

No, except the uncreated God himself.

1 John 1:


This metaphor refers to God as a person, not as the universal framework. God is a moral agent as a person.

How can all things hold together in him1 if there is no darkness in him2?

him1 refers to the universal framework; him2 refers to God as the moral agent. They do not refer to the same entity.

In him, all things hold together. Would that include darkness?

If by "darkness", you mean dark materials in the universe, then yes.

If by "darkness", you mean evil, then no.

"In Him all things consist (are held together)". He is the Creator. His mind and power controls and holds all things together,; but the universe is not God, nor heaven or hell or anything else He created. He is the Light, what is good, love and all His attributes and those attributes transcend into the realities He created.
He is eternal and therefore His attributes are, but darkness/evil is not. He allows evil for a temporary purpose. He is in control of and therefore restrains darkness/evil.
If He created Heaven then Heaven is not God, it is just where He dwells. Neither is Hades part of God. He separates the two. There are present spiritual forces of good and evil in His creation and we experience them, but not much longer. Evil is just temporary. He will eliminate evil soon.

So to be clear, the "in Him" reference in Col. 1:16,17 pertains to His mind and power. It is not the same as being "in Christ", one with His Spirit. Imho

 

[gpresdo]

Isaiah 45:


1 John 1:


But then, Colossians 1:


How can all things hold together in him if there is no darkness in him? Is the darkness that he created in him?

Let's see the context, Colossians 1:


The word "all" appears 5 times in this passage. The phrase "in him" appears twice. Paul depicts a unifying and universal framework in which all created things exist. All normal matter, dark matter, and dark energy exist in this universal framework.

Is there anything outside of this framework?

No, except the uncreated God himself.

1 John 1:


This metaphor refers to God as a person, not as the universal framework. God is a moral agent as a person.

How can all things hold together in him1 if there is no darkness in him2?

him1 refers to the universal framework; him2 refers to God as the moral agent. They do not refer to the same entity.

In him, all things hold together. Would that include darkness?between darkness of the night and darkness as in wrong from right? which do you refer?

If by "darkness", you mean dark materials in the universe, then yes.

If by "darkness", you mean evil, then no.

Don't you think you need to distinguish between darkness ...as from daylight vs darkness from sinfulness? I do...to make your question clear and absent of dangling participle residue.