Question: I understand that the Absolute Truth is the effulgence of Brahman, the Paramatma within each living entity and Bhagavan the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I’ve been asked by Christian friends of mine whether the Lord of the Bible would correspond to what we refer to as the effulgence or the one who is the creator. In my own mind, I see the Supreme as the absolute truth of all three and really don’t draw any line of comparison. There is one Supreme although He is referred to by many names. Am I incorrect in seeing Lord Sri Krsna in this way?
Answer by Romapada Swami: The Bible clearly speaks of God as the Creator (Genesis), which is a function overseen by Lord Visnu. The Biblical phrase “The kingdom of God within you” is likewise a reference to Lord Visnu in His Paramatma feature.
Instructions to “love God with all your heart, mind and strength” points more toward the Bhagavan feature, or the personal aspect of God.
Within the Trinity conception of Christianity, “God the Father” can either indicate either the Visnu form (since Maha Visnu impregnates prakriti by His glance) or Bhagavan (since He is the source of everything!).
I am unaware of any Biblical reference that explicitly points to the Brahman feature of the Absolute Truth.
