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TheKnowledgeoftheHoly
byA.W.Tozer
(Authorof“ThePursuitofGod”)TableofContents
PREFACE
Chapter1WhyWeMustThinkRightlyAboutGod
Chapter2GodIncomprehensible
Chapter3ADivineAttribute:SomethingTrueAboutGodChapter4TheHolyTrinity
Chapter5TheSelf-existenceofGodChapter6TheSelf-sufficiencyofGod
Chapter7TheEternityofGod
Chapter8God’sInfinitude
Chapter9TheImmutabilityofGodChapter10TheDivineOmniscienceChapter11TheWisdomofGodChapter12TheOmnipotenceofGod
Chapter13TheDivineTranscendence
Chapter14God’sOmnipresenceChapter15TheFaithfulnessofGodChapter16TheGoodnessofGodChapter17TheJusticeofGodChapter18TheMercyofGodChapter19TheGraceofGodChapter20TheLoveofGod
Chapter21TheHolinessofGod
Chapter22TheSovereigntyofGod
Chapter23TheOpenSecret
PREFACE
Truereligionconfrontsearthwithheavenandbringseternitytobearupontime.ThemessengerofChrist,thoughhespeaksfromGod,mustalso,astheQuakersusedtosay,speaktotheconditionofhishearers;otherwisehewillspeakalanguageknownonlytohimself.Hismessagemustbenotonlytimelessbuttimely.Hemustspeaktohisowngeneration.
Themessageofthisbookdoesnotgrowoutofthesetimesbutitisappropriatetothem.ItiscalledforthbyaconditionwhichhasexistedintheChurchforsomeyearsandissteadilygrowingworse.Irefertothelossoftheconceptofmajestyfromthepopularreligiousmind.TheChurchhassurrenderedheronceloftyconceptofGodandhassubstitutedforitonesolow,soignoble,astobeutterlyunworthyofthinking,worshippingmen.Thisshehasdonenotdeliberately,butlittlebylittleandwithoutherknowledge;andherveryunawarenessonlymakeshersituationallthemoretragic.
ThelowviewofGodentertainedalmostuniversallyamongChristiansisthecauseofahundredlesserevilseverywhereamongus.AwholenewphilosophyoftheChristianlifehasresultedfromthisonebasicerrorinourreligiousthinking.
WithourlossofthesenseofmajestyhascomethefurtherlossofreligiousaweandconsciousnessofthedivinePresence.WehavelostourspiritofworshipandourabilitytowithdrawinwardlytomeetGodinadoringsilence.ModernChristianityissimplynotproducingthekindofChristianwhocanappreciateorexperiencethelifeintheSpirit.Thewords,Bestill,andknowthatIamGod,meannexttonothingtotheself-confident,bustlingworshipperinthismiddleperiodofthetwentiethcentury.
Thislossoftheconceptofmajestyhascomejustwhentheforcesofreligionaremakingdramaticgainsandthechurchesaremoreprosperousthanatanytimewithinthepastseveralhundredyears.Butthealarmingthingisthatourgainsaremostlyexternalandourlosseswhollyinternal;andsinceitisthequalityofourreligionthatisaffectedbyinternalconditions,itmaybethatoursupposedgainsarebutlossesspreadoverawiderfield.
Theonlywaytorecoupourspirituallossesistogobacktothecauseofthemandmakesuchcorrectionsasthetruthwarrants.Thedeclineoftheknowledgeoftheholyhasbroughtonourtroubles.ArediscoveryofthemajestyofGodwillgoalongwaytowardcuringthem.ItisimpossibletokeepourmoralpracticessoundandourinwardattitudesrightwhileourideaofGodiserroneousorinadequate.Ifwewouldbringbackspiritualpowertoourlives,wemustbegintothinkofGodmorenearlyasHeis.
AsmyhumblecontributiontoabetterunderstandingoftheMajestyintheheavensIofferthisreverentstudyoftheattributesofGod.WereChristianstodayreadingsuchworksasthoseofAugustineorAnselmabooklikethiswouldhavenoreasonforbeing.ButsuchilluminatedmastersareknowntomodernChristiansonlybyname.Publishersdutifullyreprinttheirbooksandinduetimetheseappearontheshelvesofourstudies.Butthewholetroubleliesrightthere:theyremainontheshelves.ThecurrentreligiousmoodmakesthereadingofthemvirtuallyimpossibleevenforeducatedChristians.
ApparentlynotmanyChristianswillwadethroughhundredsofpagesofheavyreligiousmatterrequiringsustainedconcentration.Suchbooksremindtoomanypersonsofthesecularclassicstheywereforcedtoreadwhiletheywereinschoolandtheyturnawayfromthemwithafeelingofdiscouragement.
Forthatreasonaneffortsuchasthismaybenotwithoutsomebeneficialeffect.Sincethisbookisneitheresotericnortechnical,andsinceitiswritteninthelanguageofworshipwithnopretensiontoelegantliterarystyle,perhapssomepersonsmaybedrawntoreadit.WhileIbelievethatnothingwillbefoundherecontrarytosoundChristiantheology,IyetwritenotforprofessionaltheologiansbutforplainpersonswhoseheartsstirthemuptoseekafterGodHimself.
Itismyhopethatthissmallbookmaycontributesomewhattothepromotionofpersonalheartreligionamongus;andshouldafewpersonsbyreadingitbeencouragedtobeginthepracticeofreverentmeditationonthebeingofGod,thatwillmorethanrepaythelaborrequiredtoproduceit.
A.W.Tozer
Chapter1
WhyWeMustThinkRightlyAboutGod
O,LordGodAlmighty,nottheGodofthephilosophersandthewisebuttheGodoftheprophetsandapostles;andbetterthanall,theGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist,mayIexpressTheeunblamed?
TheythatknowTheenotmaycalluponTheeasotherthanThouart,andsoworshipnotTheebutacreatureoftheirownfancy;thereforeenlightenourmindsthatwemayknowTheeasThouart,sothatwemayperfectlyloveTheeandworthilypraiseThee.
InthenameofJesusChristourLord.Amen.
WhatcomesintoourmindswhenwethinkaboutGodisthemostimportantthingaboutus.
Thehistoryofmankindwillprobablyshowthatnopeoplehaseverrisenaboveitsreligion,andmansspiritualhistorywillpositivelydemonstratethatnoreligionhaseverbeengreaterthanitsideaofGod.WorshipispureorbaseastheworshiperentertainshighorlowthoughtsofGod.
ForthisreasonthegravestquestionbeforetheChurchisalwaysGodHimself,andthemostportentousfactaboutanymanisnotwhatheatagiventimemaysayordo,butwhatheinhisdeepheartconceivesGodtobelike.WetendbyasecretlawofthesoultomovetowardourmentalimageofGod.ThisistruenotonlyoftheindividualChristian,butofthecompanyofChristiansthatcomposestheChurch.AlwaysthemostrevealingthingabouttheChurchisherideaofGod,justashermostsignificantmessageiswhatshesaysaboutHimorleavesunsaid,forhersilenceisoftenmoreeloquentthanherspeech.Shecanneverescapetheself-disclosureofherwitnessconcerningGod.
Wereweabletoextractfromanymanacompleteanswertothequestion,WhatcomesintoyourmindwhenyouthinkaboutGod?wemightpredictwithcertaintythespiritualfutureofthatman.WereweabletoknowexactlywhatourmostinfluentialreligiousleadersthinkofGodtoday,wemightbeablewithsomeprecisiontoforetellwheretheChurchwillstandtomorrow.
Withoutdoubt,themightiestthoughtthemindcanentertainisthethoughtofGod,andtheweightiestwordinanylanguageisitswordforGod.ThoughtandspeechareGodsgiftstocreaturesmadeinHisimage;theseareintimatelyassociatedwithHimandimpossibleapartfromHim.ItishighlysignificantthatthefirstwordwastheWord:AndtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.WemayspeakbecauseGodspoke.InHimwordandideaareindivisible.
ThatourideaofGodcorrespondasnearlyaspossibletothetruebeingofGodisofimmenseimportancetous.ComparedwithouractualthoughtsaboutHim,ourcreedalstatementsareoflittleconsequence.OurrealideaofGodmaylieburiedundertherubbishofconventionalreligiousnotionsandmayrequireanintelligentandvigoroussearchbeforeitisfinallyunearthedandexposedforwhatitis.Onlyafteranordealofpainfulself-probingarewelikelytodiscoverwhatweactuallybelieveaboutGod.
ArightconceptionofGodisbasicnotonlytosystematictheologybuttopracticalChristianlivingaswell.Itistoworshipwhatthefoundationistothetemple;whereitisinadequateoroutofplumbthewholestructuremustsoonerorlatercollapse.IbelievethereisscarcelyanerrorindoctrineorafailureinapplyingChristianethicsthatcannotbetracedfinallytoimperfectandignoblethoughtsaboutGod.
ItismyopinionthattheChristianconceptionofGodcurrentinthesemiddleyearsofthetwentiethcenturyissodecadentastobeutterlybeneaththedignityoftheMostHighGodandactuallytoconstituteforprofessedbelieverssomethingamountingtoamoralcalamity.
Alltheproblemsofheavenandearth,thoughtheyweretoconfrontustogetherandatonce,wouldbenothingcomparedwiththeoverwhelmingproblemofGod:ThatHeis;whatHeislike;andwhatweasmoralbeingsmustdoaboutHim.
ThemanwhocomestoarightbeliefaboutGodisrelievedoftenthousandtemporalproblems,forheseesatoncethatthesehavetodowithmatterswhichatthemostcannotconcernhimforverylong;butevenifthemultipleburdensoftimemaybeliftedfromhim,theonemightysingleburdenofeternitybeginstopressdownuponhimwithaweightmorecrushingthanallthewoesoftheworldpiledoneuponanother.ThatmightyburdenishisobligationtoGod.ItincludesaninstantandlifelongdutytoloveGodwitheverypowerofmindandsoul,to
obeyHimperfectly,andtoworshipHimacceptably.Andwhenthemanslaboringconsciencetellshimthathehasdonenoneofthesethings,buthasfromchildhoodbeenguiltyoffoulrevoltagainsttheMajestyintheheavens,theinnerpressureofself-accusationmaybecometooheavytobear.
Thegospelcanliftthisdestroyingburdenfromthemind,givebeautyforashes,andthegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness.Butunlesstheweightoftheburdenisfeltthegospelcanmeannothingtotheman;anduntilheseesavisionofGodhighandliftedup,therewillbenowoeandnoburden.LowviewsofGoddestroythegospelforallwhoholdthem.
Amongthesinstowhichthehumanheartisprone,hardlyanyotherismorehatefultoGodthanidolatry,foridolatryisatbottomalibelonHischaracter.TheidolatrousheartassumesthatGodisotherthanHeis-initselfamonstroussin-andsubstitutesforthetrueGodonemadeafteritsownlikeness.AlwaysthisGodwillconformtotheimageoftheonewhocreateditandwillbebaseorpure,cruelorkind,accordingtothemoralstateofthemindfromwhichitemerges.
AgodbegottenintheshadowsofafallenheartwillquitenaturallybenotruelikenessofthetrueGod.Thouthoughtest,saidtheLordtothewickedmaninthepsalm,thatIwasaltogethersuchasoneasthyself.SurelythismustbeaseriousaffronttotheMostHighGodbeforewhomcherubimandseraphimcontinuallydocry,Holy,holy,holy,LordGodofSabaoth.
Letusbewarelestweinourprideaccepttheerroneousnotionthatidolatryconsistsonlyinkneelingbeforevisibleobjectsofadoration,andthatcivilizedpeoplesarethereforefreefromit.TheessenceofidolatryistheentertainmentofthoughtsaboutGodthatareunworthyofHim.Itbeginsinthemindandmaybepresentwherenoovertactofworshiphastakenplace.
WhentheyknewGod,wrotePaul,theyglorifiedhimnotasGod,neitherwerethankful;butbecamevainintheirimaginations,andtheirfoolishheartwasdarkened.
Thenfollowedtheworshipofidolsfashionedafterthelikenessofmenandbirdsandbeastsandcreepingthings.Butthisseriesofdegradingactsbeganinthemind.WrongideasaboutGodarenotonlythefountainfromwhichthepollutedwatersofidolatryflow;theyarethemselvesidolatrous.Theidolatersimply
imaginesthingsaboutGodandactsasiftheyweretrue.
PervertednotionsaboutGodsoonrotthereligioninwhichtheyappear.ThelongcareerofIsraeldemonstratesthisclearlyenough,andthehistoryoftheChurchconfirmsit.SonecessarytotheChurchisaloftyconceptofGodthatwhenthatconceptinanymeasuredeclines,theChurchwithherworshipandhermoralstandardsdeclinesalongwithit.ThefirststepdownforanychurchistakenwhenitsurrendersitshighopinionofGod.
BeforetheChristianChurchgoesintoeclipseanywheretheremustfirstbeacorruptingofhersimplebasictheology.Shesimplygetsawronganswertothequestion,WhatisGodlike?andgoesonfromthere.Thoughshemaycontinuetoclingtoasoundnominalcreed,herpracticalworkingcreedhasbecomefalse.ThemassesofheradherentscometobelievethatGodisdifferentfromwhatHeactuallyis;andthatisheresyofthemostinsidiousanddeadlykind.
TheheaviestobligationlyingupontheChristianChurchtodayistopurifyandelevateherconceptofGoduntilitisoncemoreworthyofHim-andofher.Inallherprayersandlaborsthisshouldhavefirstplace.WedothegreatestservicetothenextgenerationofChristiansbypassingontothemundimmedandundiminishedthatnobleconceptofGodwhichwereceivedfromourHebrewandChristianfathersofgenerationspast.Thiswillproveofgreatervaluetothemthananythingthatartorsciencecandevise.
O,GodofBethel,bywhosehand
Thypeoplestillarefed;
Whothroughthiswearypilgrimage
Hastallourfathersled!
Ourvows,ourprayerswenowpresent
BeforeThythroneofgrace:
Godofourfathers!betheGod
Oftheirsucceedingrace.
PhilipDoddridge
Chapter2
GodIncomprehensible
Lord,howgreatisourdilemma!InThyPresencesilencebestbecomesus,butloveinflamesourheartsandconstrainsustospeak.
Werewetoholdourpeacethestoneswouldcryout;yetifwespeak,whatshallwesay?Teachustoknowthatwecannotknow,forthethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.Letfaithsupportuswherereasonfails,andweshallthinkbecausewebelieve,notinorderthatwemaybelieve.
InJesusname.Amen.
Thechild,thephilosopher,andthereligionisthaveallonequestion:WhatisGodlike?
Thisbookisanattempttoanswerthatquestion.YetattheoutsetImustacknowledgethatitcannotbeansweredexcepttosaythatGodisnotlikeanything;thatis,Heisnotexactlylikeanythingoranybody.
Welearnbyusingwhatwealreadyknowasabridgeoverwhichwepasstotheunknown.Itisnotpossibleforthemindtocrashsuddenlypastthefamiliarintothetotallyunfamiliar.Eventhemostvigorousanddaringmindisunabletocreatesomethingoutofnothingbyaspontaneousactofimagination.Thosestrangebeingsthatpopulatetheworldofmythologyandsuperstitionarenotpurecreationsoffancy.Theimaginationcreatedthembytakingtheordinaryinhabitantsofearthandairandseaandextendingtheirfamiliarformsbeyondtheirnormalboundaries,orbymixingtheformsoftwoormoresoastoproducesomethingnew.Howeverbeautifulorgrotesquethesemaybe,theirprototypescanalwaysbeidentified.Theyarelikesomethingwealreadyknow.
TheeffortofinspiredmentoexpresstheineffablehasplacedagreatstrainuponboththoughtandlanguageintheHolyScriptures.Thesebeingoftenarevelationofaworldabovenature,andthemindsforwhichtheywerewrittenbeingapartofnature,thewritersarecompelledtouseagreatmanylikewordstomakethemselvesunderstood.
WhentheSpiritwouldacquaintuswithsomethingthatliesbeyondthefieldofourknowledge,Hetellsusthatthisthingislikesomethingwealreadyknow,butHeisalwayscarefultophraseHisdescriptionsoastosaveusfromslavishliteralism.Forexample,whentheprophetEzekielsawheavenopenedandbeheldvisionsofGod,hefoundhimselflookingatthatwhichhehadnolanguagetodescribe.Whathewasseeingwaswhollydifferentfromanythinghehadeverknownbefore,sohefellbackuponthelanguageofresemblance.Asforthelikenessofthelivingcreatures,theirappearancewaslikeburningcoalsoffire.
Thenearerheapproachestotheburningthronethelesssurehiswordsbecome:Andabovethefirmamentthatwasovertheirheadswasthelikenessofathrone,astheappearanceofasapphirestone:anduponthelikenessofthethronewasthelikenessastheappearanceofamanaboveuponit.AndIsawasthecolourofamber,astheappearanceoffireroundaboutwithinit….ThiswastheappearanceofthelikenessofthegloryoftheLord.
Strangeasthislanguageis,itstilldoesnotcreatetheimpressionofunreality.Onegathersthatthewholesceneisveryrealbutentirelyalientoanythingmenknowonearth.So,inordertoconveyanideaofwhathesees,theprophetmustemploysuchwordsaslikeness,appearance,asitwere,andthelikenessoftheappearance.EventhethronebecomestheappearanceofathroneandHethatsitsuponit,thoughlikeaman,issounlikeonethatHecanbedescribedonlyasthelikenessoftheappearanceofaman.
WhentheScripturestatesthatmanwasmadeintheimageofGod,wedarenotaddtothatstatementanideafromourownheadandmakeitmeanintheexactimage.TodosoistomakemanareplicaofGod,andthatistolosetheunicityofGodandendwithnoGodatall.Itistobreakdownthewall,infinitelyhigh,thatseparatesThat-which-is-Godfromthat-which-is-not-God.TothinkofcreatureandCreatorasalikeinessentialbeingistorobGodofmostofHisattributesandreduceHimtothestatusofacreature.Itis,forinstance,torobHimofHisinfinitude:therecannotbetwounlimitedsubstancesintheuniverse.ItistotakeawayHissovereignty:therecannotbetwoabsolutelyfreebeingsintheuniverse,forsoonerorlatertwocompletelyfreewillsmustcollide.Theseattributes,tomentionnomore,requirethattherebebutonetowhomtheybelong.
WhenwetrytoimaginewhatGodislikewemustofnecessityusethat-which-is-not-Godastherawmaterialforourmindstoworkon;hencewhateverwe
visualizeGodtobe,Heisnot,forwehaveconstructedourimageoutofthatwhichHehasmadeandwhatHehasmadeisnotGod.IfweinsistupontryingtoimagineHim,weendwithanidol,madenotwithhandsbutwiththoughts;andanidolofthemindisasoffensivetoGodasanidolofthehand.
TheintellectknoweththatitisignorantofThee,saidNicholasofCusa,becauseitknowethThoucanstnotbeknown,unlesstheunknowablecouldbeknown,andtheinvisiblebeheld,andtheinaccessibleattained.
IfanyoneshouldsetforthanyconceptbywhichThoucanstbeconceived,saysNicholasagain,IknowthatthatconceptisnotaconceptofThee,foreveryconceptisendedinthewallofParadise….Sotoo,ifanyweretotelloftheunderstandingofThee,wishingtosupplyameanswherebyThoumightestbeunderstood,thismanisyetfarfromThee….forasmuchasThouartabsoluteabovealltheconceptswhichanymancanframe.
LefttoourselveswetendimmediatelytoreduceGodtomanageableterms.WewanttogetHimwherewecanuseHim,oratleastknowwhereHeiswhenweneedHim.WewantaGodwecaninsomemeasurecontrol.WeneedthefeelingofsecuritythatcomesfromknowingwhatGodislike,andwhatHeislikeisofcourseacompositeofallthereligiouspictureswehaveseen,allthebestpeoplewehaveknownorheardabout,andallthesublimeideaswehaveentertained.
Ifallthissoundsstrangetomodernears,itisonlybecausewehaveforafullhalfcenturytakenGodforgranted.ThegloryofGodhasnotbeenrevealedtothisgenerationofmen.TheGodofcontemporaryChristianityisonlyslightlysuperiortothegodsofGreeceandRome,ifindeedHeisnotactuallyinferiortotheminthatHeisweakandhelplesswhiletheyatleasthadpower.
IfwhatweconceiveGodtobeHeisnot,howthenshallwethinkofHim?IfHeisindeedincomprehensible,astheCreeddeclaresHimtobe,andunapproachable,asPaulsaysHeis,howcanweChristianssatisfyourlongingafterHim?Thehopefulwords,Acquaintnowthyselfwithhim,andbeatpeace,stillstandafterthepassingofthecenturies;buthowshallweacquaintourselveswithOnewhoeludesallthestrainingeffortsofmindandheart?Andhowshallwebeheldaccountabletoknowwhatcannotbeknown?
CanstthoubysearchingfindoutGod?asksZophartheNaamathite;canstthoufindouttheAlmightyuntoperfection?Itishighasheaven;whatcanstthoudo?
deeperthanhell;whatcanstthouknow?NeitherknowethanymantheFather,savetheSon,saidourLord,andhetowhomsoevertheSonwillrevealhim.TheGospelaccordingtoJohnrevealsthehelplessnessofthehumanmindbeforethegreatMysterywhichisGod,andPaulinFirstCorinthiansteachesthatGodcanbeknownonlyastheHolySpiritperformsintheseekingheartanactofself-disclosure.
TheyearningtoknowWhatcannotbeknown,tocomprehendtheIncomprehensible,totouchandtastetheUnapproachable,arisesfromtheimageofGodinthenatureofman.Deepcallethuntodeep,andthoughpollutedandlandlockedbythemightydisastertheologianscalltheFall,thesoulsensesitsoriginandlongstoreturntoitsSource.Howcanthisberealized?
TheansweroftheBibleissimplythroughJesusChristourLord.InChristandbyChrist,Godeffectscompleteself-disclosure,althoughHeshowsHimselfnottoreasonbuttofaithandlove.Faithisanorganofknowledge,andloveanorganofexperience.Godcametousintheincarnation;inatonementHereconciledustoHimself,andbyfaithandloveweenterandlayholdonHim.
VerilyGodisofinfinitegreatness,saysChristsenrapturedtroubadour,RichardRolle;morethanwecanthink;…unknowablebycreatedthings;andcanneverbecomprehendedbyusasHeisinHimself.Butevenhereandnow,whenevertheheartbeginstoburnwithadesireforGod,sheismadeabletoreceivetheuncreatedlightand,inspiredandfulfilledbythegiftsoftheHolyGhost,shetastesthejoysofheaven.Shetranscendsallvisiblethingsandisraisedtothesweetnessofeternallife….
Hereintrulyisperfectlove;whenalltheintentofthemind,allthesecretworkingoftheheart,isliftedupintotheloveofGod.
ThatGodcanbeknownbythesoulintenderpersonalexperiencewhileremaininginfinitelyalooffromthecuriouseyesofreasonconstitutesaparadoxbestdescribedas
Darknesstotheintellect
Butsunshinetotheheart.
FrederickW.Faber
TheauthorofthecelebratedlittleworkTheCloudofUnknowingdevelopsthisthesisthroughouthisbook.InapproachingGod,hesays,theseekerdiscoversthatthedivineBeingdwellsinobscurity,hiddenbehindacloudofunknowing;neverthelessheshouldnotbediscouragedbutsethiswillwithanakedintentuntoGod.ThiscloudisbetweentheseekerandGodsothathemayneverseeGodclearlybythelightofunderstandingnorfeelHimintheemotions.ButbythemercyofGodfaithcanbreakthroughintoHisPresenceiftheseekerbutbelievetheWordandpresson.
MichaeldeMolinos,theSpanishsaint,taughtthesamething.InhisSpiritualGuidehesaysthatGodwilltakethesoulbythehandandleadherthroughthewayofpurefaith,andcausingtheunderstandingtoleavebehindallconsiderationsandreasoningsHedrawsherforward….ThusHecausesherbymeansofasimpleandobscureknowledgeoffaithtoaspireonlytoherBridegroomuponthewingsoflove.
FortheseandsimilarteachingsMolinoswascondemnedasahereticbytheInquisitionandsentencedtolifeimprisonment.Hesoondiedinprison,butthetruthhetaughtcanneverdie.SpeakingoftheChristiansoulhesays:Lethersupposethatallthewholeworldandthemostrefinedconceptionsofthewisestintellectscantellhernothing,andthatthegoodnessandbeautyofherBelovedinfinitelysurpassalltheirknowledge,beingpersuadedthatallcreaturesaretoorudetoinformherandtoconducthertothetrueknowledgeofGod….Sheoughtthentogoforwardwithherlove,leavingallherunderstandingbehind.LetherloveGodasHeisinHimself,andnotasherimaginationsaysHeis,andpicturesHim.
WhatisGodlike?IfbythatquestionwemeanWhatisGodlikeinHimself?thereisnoanswer.IfwemeanWhathasGoddisclosedaboutHimselfthatthereverentreasoncancomprehend?thereis,Ibelieve,ananswerbothfullandsatisfying.ForwhilethenameofGodissecretandHisessentialnatureincomprehensible,HeincondescendinglovehasbyrevelationdeclaredcertainthingstobetrueofHimself.ThesewecallHisattributes.
SovereignFather,heavenlyKing,
Theewenowpresumetosing;
Gladthineattributesconfess,
Gloriousall,andnumberless.
CharlesWesley
Chapter3
ADivineAttribute:
SomethingTrueAboutGod
Majestyunspeakable,mysouldesirestobeholdThee.IcrytoTheefromthedust.
YetwhenIinquireafterThynameitissecret.Thouarthiddeninthelightwhichnomancanapproachunto.WhatThouartcannotbethoughtoruttered,forThygloryisineffable.
Still,prophetandpsalmist,apostleandsainthaveencouragedmetobelievethatImayinsomemeasureknowThee.Therefore,Ipray,whateverofThyselfThouhastbeenpleasedtodisclose,helpmetosearchoutastreasuremorepreciousthanrubiesorthemerchandiseoffinegold:forwithTheeshallIlivewhenthestarsofthetwilightarenomoreandtheheavenshavevanishedawayandonlyThouremainest.Amen.
ThestudyoftheattributesofGod,farfrombeingdullandheavy,mayfortheenlightenedChristianbeasweetandabsorbingspiritualexercise.TothesoulthatisathirstforGod,nothingcouldbemoredelightful.
OnlytositandthinkofGod,
Ohwhatajoyitis!
Tothinkthethought,tobreaththeNameEarthhasnohigherbliss.
FrederickW.Faber
Itwouldseemtobenecessarybeforeproceedingfurthertodefinethewordattributeasitisusedinthisvolume.Itisnotusedinitsphilosophicalsensenorconfinedtoitsstrictesttheologicalmeaning.ByitismeantsimplywhatevermaybecorrectlyascribedtoGod.ForthepurposeofthisbookanattributeofGodiswhateverGodhasinanywayrevealedasbeingtrueofHimself.
Andthisbringsustothequestionofthenumberofthedivineattributes.Religiousthinkershavedifferedaboutthis.Somehaveinsistedthatthereareseven,butFabersangoftheGodofathousandattributes,andCharlesWesleyexclaimed,Glorythineattributesconfess,Gloriousallandnumberless.
True,thesemenwereworshiping,notcounting;butwemightbewisetofollowtheinsightoftheenrapturedheartratherthanthemorecautiousreasoningsofthetheologicalmind.IfanattributeissomethingthatistrueofGod,wemayaswellnottrytoenumeratethem.Furthermore,tothismeditationonthebeingofGodthenumberoftheattributesisnotimportant,foronlyalimitedfewwillbementionedhere.
IfanattributeissomethingtrueofGod,itisalsosomethingthatwecanconceiveasbeingtrueofHim.God,beinginfinite,mustpossessattributesaboutwhichwecanknow.Anattribute,aswecanknowit,isamentalconcept,anintellectualresponsetoGodsself-revelation.Itisananswertoaquestion,thereplyGodmakestoourinterrogationconcerninghimself.
WhatisGodlike?WhatkindofGodisHe?HowmayweexpectHimtoacttowardusandtowardallcreatedthings?Suchquestionsarenotmerelyacademic.Theytouchthefar-inreachesofthehumanspirit,andtheiranswersaffectlifeandcharacteranddestiny.
Whenaskedinreverenceandtheiranswerssoughtinhumility,thesearequestionsthatcannotbutbepleasingtoourFatherwhichartinheaven.ForHewilleththatwebeoccupiedinknowingandloving,wroteJulianofNorwich,tillthetimethatweshallbefulfilledinheaven….ForofallthingsthebeholdingandthelovingoftheMakermakeththesoultoseemlessinhisownsight,andmostfillethhimwithreverentdreadandtruemeekness;withplentyofcharityforhisfellowChristians.ToourquestionsGodhasprovidedanswers;notalltheanswers,certainly,butenoughtosatisfyourintellectsandravishourhearts.TheseanswersHehasprovidedinnature,intheScriptures,andinthepersonofHisSon.
TheideathatGodrevealsHimselfinthecreationisnotheldwithmuchvigorbymodernChristians;butitis,nevertheless,setforthintheinspiredWord,especiallyinthewritingsofDavidandIsaiahintheOldTestamentandinPaulsEpistletotheRomansintheNew.IntheHolyScripturestherevelationisclearer:TheheavensdeclareThyglory,Lord,IneverystarThywisdomshines;
ButwhenoureyesbeholdThyWord,WereadThynameinfairerlines.
IsaacWatts
AnditisasacredandindispensablepartoftheChristianmessagethatthefullsun-blazeofrevelationcameattheincarnationwhentheEternalWordbecamefleshtodwellamongus.
ThoughGodinthisthreefoldrevelationhasprovidedanswerstoourquestionsconcerningHim,theanswersbynomeanslieonthesurface.Theymustbesoughtbyprayer,bylongmeditationonthewrittenWord,andbyearnestandwell-disciplinedlabor.Howeverbrightlythelightmayshine,itcanbeseenonlybythosewhoarespirituallypreparedtoreceiveit.
Blessedarethepureinheart,fortheyshallseeGod.
IfwewouldthinkaccuratelyabouttheattributesofGod,wemustlearntorejectcertainwordsthataresuretocomecrowdingintoourminds-suchwordsastrait,characteristic,quality,wordswhichareproperandnecessarywhenweareconsideringcreatedbeingsbutaltogetherinappropriatewhenwearethinkingaboutGod.WemustbreakourselvesofthehabitofthinkingoftheCreatoraswethinkofHiscreatures.Itisprobablyimpossibletothinkwithoutwords,butifwepermitourselvestothinkwiththewrongwords,weshallsoonbeentertainingerroneousthoughts;forwords,whicharegivenusfortheexpressionofthought,haveahabitofgoingbeyondtheirproperboundsanddeterminingthecontentofthought.Asnothingismoreeasythantothink,saysThomasTraherne,sonothingismoredifficultthantothinkwell.IfweeverthinkwellitshouldbewhenwethinkofGod.
Amanisthesumofhispartsandhischaracterthesumofthetraitsthatcomposeit.Thesetraitsvaryfrommantomanandmayfromtimetotimevaryfromthemselveswithinthesameman.Humancharacterisnotconstantbecausethetraitsorqualitiesthatconstituteitareunstable.Thesecomeandgo,burnloworglowwithgreatintensitythroughoutourlives.Thusamanwhoiskindandconsiderateatthirtymaybecruelandchurlishatfifty.Suchachangeispossiblebecausemanismade;heisinaveryrealsenseacomposition;heisthesumofthetraitsthatmakeuphischaracter.
WenaturallyandcorrectlythinkofmanasaworkwroughtbythedivineIntelligence.Heisbothcreatedandmade.Howhewascreatedliesundisclosed
amongthesecretsofGod;howhewasbroughtfromno-beingtobeing,fromnothingtosomethingisnotknownandmayneverbeknowntoanybuttheOnewhobroughthimforth.HowGodmadehim,however,islessofasecret,andwhileweknowonlyasmallportionofthewholetruth,wedoknowthatmanpossessesabody,asoul,andaspirit;weknowthathehasmemory,reason,will,intelligence,sensation,andweknowthattogivethesemeaninghehasthewondrousgiftofconsciousness.Weknow,too,thatthese,togetherwithvariousqualitiesoftemperament,composehistotalhumanself.
ThesearegiftsfromGodarrangedbyinfinitewisdom,notesthatmakeupthescoreofcreationsloftiestsymphony,threadsthatcomposethemastertapestryoftheuniverse.
Butinallthiswearethinkingcreature-thoughtsandusingcreature-wordstoexpressthem.NeithersuchthoughtsnorsuchwordsareappropriatetotheDeity.TheFatherismadeofnone,saystheAthanasianCreed,neithercreatednorbegotten.TheSonisoftheFatheralone,notmade,norcreated,butbegotten.TheHolySpiritisoftheFatherandtheSon:notmadenorcreated,norbegotten,butproceeding.GodexistsinHimselfandofHimself.HisbeingHeowestonoone.Hissubstanceisindivisible.HehasnopartsbutissingleinHisunitarybeing.
ThedoctrineofthedivineunitymeansnotonlythatthereisbutoneGod;itmeansalsothatGodissimple,uncomplex,onewithHimself.TheharmonyofHisbeingistheresultnotofaperfectbalanceofpartsbutoftheabsenceofparts.BetweenHisattributesnocontradictioncanexist.Heneednotsuspendonetoexerciseanother,forinHimallHisattributesareone.AllofGoddoesallthatGoddoes;Hedoesnotdividehimselftoperformawork,butworksinthetotalunityofHisbeing.
Anattribute,then,isapartofGod.ItishowGodis,andasfarasthereasoningmindcango,wemaysaythatitiswhatGodis,though,asIhavetriedtoexplain,exactlywhatHeisHecannottellus.OfwhatGodisconsciouswhenHeisconsciousofself,onlyHeknows.ThethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.OnlytoanequalcouldGodcommunicatethemysteryofHisGodhead;andtothinkofGodashavinganequalistofallintoanintellectualabsurdity.
ThedivineattributesarewhatweknowtobetrueofGod.Hedoesnotpossess
themasqualities;theyarehowGodisasHerevealsHimselftoHiscreatures.Love,forinstance,isnotsomethingGodhasandwhichmaygrowordiminishorceasetobe.HisloveisthewayGodis,andwhenHelovesHeissimplybeingHimself.Andsowiththeotherattributes.
OneGod!oneMajesty!
ThereisnoGodbutThee!
Unbounded,unextendedUnity!
UnfathomableSea!
AlllifeisoutofThee,
andThylifeisThyblissfulUnity.
FrederickW.Faber
Chapter4
TheHolyTrinity
Godofourfathers,enthronedinlight,howrich,howmusicalisthetongueofEngland!YetwhenweattempttospeakforthThywonders,ourwordshowpoortheyseemandourspeechhowunmelodious.WhenweconsiderthefearfulmysteryofThyTriuneGodheadwelayourhanduponourmouth.Beforethatburningbushweasknottounderstand,butonlythatwemayfitlyadoreThee,OneGodinPersonsThree.Amen.
TomeditateonthethreePersonsoftheGodheadistowalkinthoughtthroughthegardeneastwardinEdenandtotreadonholyground.OursincerestefforttograsptheincomprehensiblemysteryoftheTrinitymustremainforeverfutile,andonlybydeepestreverencecanitbesavedfromactualpresumption.
SomepersonswhorejectalltheycannotexplainhavedeniedthatGodisaTrinity.SubjectingtheMostHightotheircold,level-eyedscrutiny,theyconcludethatitisimpossiblethathecouldbebothOneandThree.Theseforgetthattheirwholelifeisenshroudedinmystery.TheyfalltoconsiderthatanyrealexplanationofeventhesimplestphenomenoninnaturelieshiddeninobscurityandcannomorebeexplainedthancanthemysteryoftheGodhead.
Everymanlivesbyfaith,thenonbelieveraswellasthesaint;theonebyfaithinnaturallawsandtheotherbyfaithinGod.Everymanthroughouthisentirelifeconstantlyacceptswithoutunderstanding.Themostlearnedsagecanbereducedtosilencewithonesimplequestion,What?Theanswertothatquestionliesforeverintheabyssofunknowingbeyondanymansabilitytodiscover.Godunderstandeththewaythereof,andheknoweththeplacethereofbutmortalmannever.
ThomasCarlyle,followingPlato,picturesaman,adeeppaganthinker,whohadgrowntomaturityinsomehiddencaveandisbroughtoutsuddenlytoseethesunrise.Whatwouldhiswonderbe,exclaimsCarlyle,hisraptastonishmentatthesightwedailywitnesswithindifference!Withthefree,opensenseofachild,yetwiththeripefacultyofaman,hiswholeheartwouldbekindledbythatsight….Thisgreenfloweryrock-builtearth,thetrees,themountains,rivers,
many-soundingseas;thatgreatdeepseaofazurethatswimsoverhead;thewindssweepingthroughit;theblackcloudfashioningitselftogether,nowpouringoutfire,nowhailandrain;whatisit?Ay,what?Atbottomwedonotyetknow;wecanneverknowatall.
Howdifferentarewewhohavegrownusedtoit,whohavebecomejadedwithasatietyofwonder.Itisnotbyoursuperiorinsightthatweescapethedifficulty,saysCarlyle,itisbyoursuperiorlevity,ourinattention,ourwantofinsight.Itisbynotthinkingthatweceasetowonderatit….Wecallthatfireoftheblackthundercloudelectricity,andlecturelearnedlyaboutit,andgrindthelikeofitoutofglassandsilk:butwhatisit?Whencecomesit?Whithergoesit?Sciencehasdonemuchforus;butitisapoorsciencethatwouldhidefromusthegreatdeepsacredinfinitudeofNescience,whitherwecanneverpenetrate,onwhichallscienceswimsasameresuperficialfilm.Thisworld,afterallourscienceandsciences,isstillamiracle;wonderful,inscrutable,magicalandmore,towhosoeverwillthinkofit.
Thesepenetrating,almostprophetic,wordswerewrittenmorethanacenturyago,butnotallthebreath-takingadvancesofscienceandtechnologysincethattimehaveinvalidatedonewordorrenderedobsoleteasmuchasoneperiodorcomma.Stillwedonotknow.Wesavefacebyrepeatingfrivolouslythepopularjargonofscience.Weharnessthemightyenergythatrushesthroughourworld;wesubjectittofingertipcontrolinourcarsandourkitchens;wemakeitworkforuslikeAladdinsjinn,butstillwedonotknowwhatitis.Secularism,materialism,andtheintrusivepresenceofthingshaveputoutthelightinoursoulsandturnedusintoagenerationofzombies.Wecoverourdeepignorancewithwords,butweareashamedtowonder,weareafraidtowhispermystery.
TheChurchhasnothesitatedtoteachthedoctrineoftheTrinity.Withoutpretendingtounderstand,shehasgivenherwitness,shehasrepeatedwhattheHolyScripturesteach.SomedenythattheScripturesteachtheTrinityoftheGodheadonthegroundthatthewholeideaoftrinityinunityisacontradictioninterms;butsincewecannotunderstandthefallofaleafbytheroadsideorthehatchingofarobinsegginthenestyonder,whyshouldtheTrinitybeaproblemtous?WethinkmoreloftilyofGod,saysMichaeldeMolinos,byknowingthatHeisincomprehensible,andaboveourunderstanding,thanbyconceivingHimunderanyimage,andcreaturebeauty,accordingtoourrudeunderstanding.
NotallwhocalledthemselvesChristiansthroughthecenturieswereTrinitarians,
butasthepresenceofGodinthefierypillarglowedabovethecampofIsraelthroughoutthewildernessjourney,sayingtoalltheworld,TheseareMypeople,sobeliefintheTrinityhassincethedaysoftheapostlesshoneabovetheChurchoftheFirstbornasshejourneyeddowntheyears.Purityandpowerhavefollowedthisfaith.Underthisbannerhavegoneforthapostles,fathers,martyrs,mystics,hymnists,reformers,revivalists,andthesealofdivineapprovalhasrestedontheirlivesandtheirlabors.Howevertheymayhavedifferedonminormatters,thedoctrineoftheTrinityboundthemtogether.
WhatGoddeclaresthebelievingheartconfesseswithouttheneedoffurtherproof.Indeed,toseekproofistoadmitdoubt,andtoobtainproofistorenderfaithsuperfluous.EveryonewhopossessesthegiftoffaithwillrecognizethewisdomofthosedaringwordsofoneoftheearlyChurchfathers:IbelievethatChristdiedformebecauseitisincredible;Ibelievethatherosefromthedeadbecauseitisimpossible.
ThatwastheattitudeofAbraham,whoagainstallevidencewaxedstronginfaith,givingglorytoGod.ItwastheattitudeofAnselm,thesecondAugustine,oneofthegreatestthinkersoftheChristianera,whoheldthatfaithmustprecedeallefforttounderstand.Reflectionuponrevealedtruthnaturallyfollowstheadventoffaith,butfaithcomesfirsttothehearingear,nottothecogitatingmind.ThebelievingmandoesnotpondertheWordandarriveatfaithbyaprocessofreasoning,notdoesheseekconfirmationoffaithfromphilosophyorscience.Hiscryis,Oearth,earth,hearthewordoftheLord.Yea,letGodbetrue,buteverymanaliar.
Isthistodismissscholarshipasvaluelessinthesphereofrevealedreligion?Bynomeans.Thescholarhasavitallyimportanttasktoperformwithinacarefullyprescribedprecinct.Histaskistoguaranteethepurityofthetext,togetascloseaspossibletotheWordasoriginallygiven.HemaycompareScripturewithScriptureuntilhehasdiscoveredthetruemeaningofthetext.Butrighttherehisauthorityends.Hemustneversitinjudgmentuponwhatiswritten.HedarenotbringthemeaningoftheWordbeforethebarofhisreason.HedarenotcommendorcondemntheWordasreasonableorunreasonable,scientificorunscientific.Afterthemeaningisdiscovered,thatmeaningjudgeshim;neverdoeshejudgeit.
ThedoctrineoftheTrinityistruthfortheheart.ThespiritofmanalonecanenterthroughtheveilandpenetrateintothatHolyofHolies.LetmeseekThee
inlonging,pleadedAnselm,letmelongforTheeinseeking;letmefindTheeinlove,andloveTheeinfinding.LoveandfaithareathomeinthemysteryoftheGodhead.Letreasonkneelinreverenceoutside.
ChristdidnothesitatetousethepluralformwhenspeakingofHimselfalongwiththeFatherandtheSpirit.Wewillcomeuntohimandmakeourabodewithhim.YetagainHesaid,IandmyFatherareone.ItismostimportantthatwethinkofGodasTrinityinUnity,neitherconfoundingthePersonsnordividingtheSubstance.OnlysomaywethinkrightlyofGodandinamannerworthyofHimandofourownsouls.
ItwasourLordsclaimtoequalitywiththeFatherthatoutragedthereligionistsofHisdayandledatlasttoHiscrucifixion.TheattackonthedoctrineoftheTrinitytwocenturieslaterbyAriusandotherswasalsoaimedatChristsclaimtodeity.DuringtheAriancontroversy318Churchfathers(manyofthemmaimedandscarredbythephysicalviolencesufferedinearlierpersecutions)metatNicaeaandadoptedastatementoffaith,onesectionofwhichruns:IbelieveinoneLordJesusChrist,Theonly-begottenSonofGod,
BegottenofHimbeforeallages,GodofGod,LightofLight,
VeryGodofVeryGod,
Begotten,notmade,
BeingofonesubstancewiththeFather,Bywhomallthingsweremade.
Formorethansixteenhundredyearsthishasstoodasthefinaltestoforthodoxy,aswellitshould,foritcondensesintheologicallanguagetheteachingoftheNewTestamentconcerningthepositionoftheSonintheGodhead.
TheNiceneCreedalsopaystributetotheHolySpiritasbeingHimselfGodandequaltotheFatherandtheSon:IbelieveintheHolySpirit
TheLordandgiveroflife,
WhichproceedethfromtheFatherandtheSon,WhowiththeFatherandSontogetherIsworshippedandglorified.
ApartfromthequestionofwhethertheSpiritproceedsfromtheFatheraloneor
fromtheFatherandtheSon,thistenetoftheancientcreedhasbeenheldbytheEasternandWesternbranchesoftheChurchandbyallbutatinyminorityofChristians.
TheauthorsoftheAthanasianCreedspelledoutwithgreatcaretherelationofthethreePersonstoeachother,fillinginthegapsinhumanthoughtasfarastheywereablewhilestayingwithintheboundsoftheinspiredWord.InthisTrinity,runstheCreed,nothingisbeforeorafter,nothingisgreaterorless:butallthreePersonscoeternal,togetherandequal.
HowdothesewordsharmonizewiththesayingofJesus,MyFatherisgreaterthanI?Thoseoldtheologiansknew,andwroteintotheCreed,EqualtoHisFather,astouchingHisGodhead;lessthantheFather,astouchingHismanhood,andthisinterpretationcommendsitselftoeveryserious-mindedseekeraftertruthinaregionwherethelightisallbutblinding.
ToredeemmankindtheEternalSondidnotleavethebosomoftheFather;whilewalkingamongmenHereferredtoHimselfastheonlybegottenSonwhichisinthebosomoftheFather,andspokeofHimselfagainastheSonofmanwhichisinheaven.Wegrantmysteryhere,butnotconfusion.InHisincarnationthesonveiledHisdeity,butHedidnotvoidit.TheunityoftheGodheadmadeitimpossiblethatHeshouldsurrenderanythingofHisdeity.WhenHetookuponHimthenatureofman,HedidnotdegradeHimselforbecomeevenforatimelessthanHehadbeenbefore.GodcanneverbecomelessthanHimself.ForGodtobecomeanythingthatHehasnotbeenisunthinkable.
ThePersonsoftheGodhead,beingone,haveonewill.Theyworkalwaystogether,andneveronesmallestactisdonebyonewithouttheinstantacquiescenceoftheothertwo.EveryactofGodisaccomplishedbytheTrinityinUnity.Here,ofcourse,wearebeingdrivenbynecessitytoconceiveofGodinhumanterms.WearethinkingofGodbyanalogywithman,andtheresultmustfallshortofultimatetruth;yetifwearetothinkofGodatall,wemustdoitbyadaptingcreature-thoughtsandcreature-wordstotheCreator.ItisarealifunderstandableerrortoconceiveofthePersonsoftheGodheadasconferringwithoneanotherandreachingagreementbyinterchangeofthoughtashumansdo.IthasalwaysseemedtomethatMiltonintroducesanelementofweaknessintohiscelebratedParadiseLostwhenhepresentsthePersonsoftheGodheadconversingwitheachotherabouttheredemptionofthehumanrace.
WhentheSonofGodwalkedtheearthastheSonofMan,HespokeoftentotheFatherandtheFatheransweredHimagain;astheSonofMan,HenowintercedeswithGodforHispeople.ThedialogueinvolvingtheFatherandtheSonrecordedintheScripturesisalwaystobeunderstoodasbeingbetweentheEternalFatherandtheManChristJesus.Thatinstant,immediatecommunionbetweenthePersonsoftheGodheadwhichhasbeenfromalleternityknowsnotsoundnoreffortnormotion.
Amidtheeternalsilences
GodsendlessWordwasspoken;
NoneheardbutHewhoalwaysspake,Andthesilencewasunbroken.
Omarvellous!Oworshipful!
Nosongorsoundisheard,
Buteverywhereandeveryhour
Inlove,inwisdom,andinpower,TheFatherspeaksHisdearEternalWord.
FrederickW.Faber
ApopularbeliefamongChristiansdividetheworkofGodbetweenthethreePersons,givingaspecificparttoeach,as,forinstance,creationtotheFather,redemptiontotheSon,andregenerationtotheHolySpirit.Thisispartlytruebutnotwhollyso,forGodcannotsodivideHimselfthatonePersonworkswhileanotherisinactive.IntheScripturesthethreePersonsareshowntoactinharmoniousunityinallthemightyworksthatarewroughtthroughouttheuniverse.
IntheHolyScripturestheworkofcreationisattributedtotheFather(Gen.1:1),totheSon(Col.1;16),andtotheHolySpirit(Job.26:13andPs.104:30).TheincarnationisshowntohavebeenaccomplishedbythethreePersonsinfullaccord(Luke1:35),thoughonlytheSonbecamefleshtodwellamongus.AtChristsbaptismtheSoncameupoutofthewater,theSpiritdescendeduponHimandtheFathersvoicespokefromheaven(Matt.3:16,17).ProbablythemostbeautifuldescriptionoftheworkofatonementisfoundinHebrews9:14,whereitisstatedthatChrist,throughtheEternalSpirit,offeredHimselfwithout
spottoGod;andtherewebeholdthethreepersonsoperatingtogether.
TheresurrectionofChristislikewiseattributedvariouslytotheFather(Acts2:32),totheSon(John10:17-18),andtotheHolySpirit(Rom.1:4).ThesalvationoftheindividualmanisshownbytheapostlePetertobetheworkofallthreePersonsoftheGodhead(1Pet.1:2),andtheindwellingoftheChristianmanssoulissaidtobebytheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit(John14:15-23).
ThedoctrineoftheTrinity,asIhavesaidbefore,istruthfortheheart.Thefactthatitcannotbesatisfactorilyexplained,insteadofbeingagainstit,isinitsfavor.Suchatruthhadtoberevealed;noonecouldhaveimaginedit.
OBlessedTrinity!
OsimplestMajesty!OThreeinOne!
ThouartforeverGodalone.
HolyTrinity!
BlessedequalThree.
OneGod,wepraiseThee.
FrederickW.Faber
Chapter5
TheSelf-existenceofGod
Lordofallbeing!ThoualonecanstaffirmIAMTHATIAM;yetwewhoaremadeinThineimagemayeachonerepeatIam,soconfessingthatwederivefromTheeandthatourwordsarebutanechoofThineown.WeacknowledgeTheetobethegreatOriginalofwhichwethroughThygoodnessaregratefulifimperfectcopies.WeworshipThee,OFatherEverlasting.Amen.
Godhasnoorigin,saidNovatiananditispreciselythisconceptofno-originwhichdistinguishesThat-which-is-GodfromwhateverisnotGod.
Originisawordthatcanapplyonlytothingscreated.WhenwethinkofanythingthathasoriginwearenotthinkingofGod.Godisself-existent,whileallcreatedthingsnecessarilyoriginatedsomewhereatsometime.AsidefromGod,nothingisself-caused.
ByourefforttodiscovertheoriginofthingsweconfessourbeliefthateverythingwasmadebySomeonewhowasmadeofnone.Byfamiliarexperiencewearetaughtthateverythingcamefromsomethingelse.Whateverexistsmusthavehadacausethatantedatesitandwasatleastequaltoit,sincethelessercannotproducethegreater.Anypersonorthingmaybeatoncebothcausedandthecauseofsomeoneorsomethingelse;andso,backtotheOnewhoisthecauseofallbutisHimselfcausedbynone.
Thechildbyhisquestion,WheredidGodcomefrom?isunwittinglyacknowledginghiscreaturehood.Alreadytheconceptofcauseandsourceandoriginisfirmlyfixedinhismind.Heknowsthateverythingaroundhimcamefromsomethingotherthanitself,andhesimplyextendsthatconceptupwardtoGod.Thelittlephilosopheristhinkingintruecreature-idiomand,allowingforhislackofbasicinformation,heisreasoningcorrectly.HemustbetoldthatGodhasnoorigin,andhewillfindthishardtograspsinceitintroducesacategorywithwhichheiswhollyunfamiliarandcontradictsthebenttowardorigin-seekingsodeeplyingrainedinallintelligentbeings,abentthatimpelsthemtoprobeeverbackandbacktowardundiscoveredbeginnings.
Tothinksteadilyofthattowhichtheideaoforigincannotapplyisnoteasy,ifindeeditispossibleatall.Justasundercertainconditionsatinypointoflightcanbeseen,notbylookingdirectly,atitbutbyfocusingtheeyesslightlytooneside,soitiswiththeideaoftheUncreated.WhenwetrytofocusourthoughtuponOnewhoispureuncreatedbeingwemay,seenothingatall,forHedwellethinlightthatnomancanapproachunto.OnlybyfaithandloveareweabletoglimpseHimashepassesbyourshelterinthecleftoftherock.Andalthoughthisknowledgeisverycloudy,vagueandgeneral,saysMichaeldeMolinos,beingsupernatural,itproducesafarmoreclearandperfectcognitionofGodthananysensibleorparticularapprehensionthatcanbeformedinthislife;sinceallcorporealandsensibleimagesareimmeasurablyremotefromGod.
Thehumanmind,beingcreated,hasanunderstandableuneasinessabouttheUncreated.WedonotfinditcomfortabletoallowforthepresenceofOnewhoiswhollyoutsideofthecircleofourfamiliarknowledge.WetendtobedisquietedbythethoughtofOnewhodoesnotaccounttousforHisbeing,whoisresponsibletonoone,whoisself-existent,self-dependentandself-sufficient.
PhilosophyandsciencehavenotalwaysbeenfriendlytowardtheideaofGod,thereasonbeingthattheyarededicatedtothetaskofaccountingforthingsandareimpatientwithanythingthatrefusestogiveanaccountofitself.Thephilosopherandthescientistwilladmitthatthereismuchthattheydonotknow;butthatisquiteanotherthingfromadmittingthatthereissomethingwhichtheycanneverknow,whichindeedtheyhavenotechniquefordiscovering.
ToadmitthatthereisOnewholiesbeyondus,whoexistsoutsideofallourcategories,whowillnotbedismissedwithaname,whowillnotappearbeforethebarofourreason,norsubmittoourcuriousinquiries:thisrequiresagreatdealofhumility,morethanmostofuspossess,sowesavefacebythinkingGoddowntoourlevel,oratleastdowntowherewecanmanageHim.YethowHeeludesus!ForHeiseverywherewhileHeisnowhere,forwherehastodowithmatterandspace,andGodisindependentofboth.Heisunaffectedbytimeormotion,iswhollyself-dependentandowesnothingtotheworldsHishandshavemade.
Timeless,spaceless,single,lonely,
YetsublimelyThree,
Thouartgrandly,always,only
GodisUnity!
Loneingrandeur,loneinglory,
WhoshalltellThywondrousstory?
AwfulTrinity!
FrederickW.Faber
ItisnotacheerfulthoughtthatmillionsofuswholiveinalandofBibles,whobelongtochurchesandlabortopromotetheChristianreligion,mayyetpassourwholelifeonthisearthwithoutoncehavingthoughtortriedtothinkseriouslyaboutthebeingofGod.FewofushaveletourheartsgazeinwonderattheIAM,theself-existentSelfbackofwhichnocreaturecanthink.Suchthoughtsaretoopainfulforus.Weprefertothinkwhereitwilldomoregood-abouthowtobuildabettermousetrap,forinstance,orhowtomaketwobladesofgrassgrowwhereonegrewbefore.Andforthiswearenowpayingatooheavypriceinthesecularlzationofourreligionandthedecayofourinnerlives.
PerhapssomesincerebutpuzzledChristianmayatthisjuncturewishtoinquireaboutthepracticalityofsuchconceptsasIamtryingtosetforthhere.Whatbearingdoesthishaveonmylife?hemayask.Whatpossiblemeaningcantheself-existenceofGodhaveformeandotherslikemeinaworldsuchasthisandintimessuchasthese?
TothisIreplythat,becausewearethehandiworkofGod,itfollowsthatallourproblemsandtheirsolutionsaretheological.SomeknowledgeofwhatkindofGoditisthatoperatestheuniverseisindispensabletoasoundphilosophyoflifeandasaneoutlookontheworldscene.
Themuch-quotedadviceofAlexanderPope,
Knowthenthyself,presumenotGodtoscan:
Theproperstudyofmankindisman,
iffollowedliterallywoulddestroyanypossibilityofmanseverknowinghimself
inanybutthemostsuperficialway.WecanneverknowwhoorwhatwearetillweknowatleastsomethingofwhatGodis.Forthisreasontheself-existenceofGodisnotawispofdrydoctrine,academicandremote;itisinfactasnearasourbreathandaspracticalasthelatestsurgicaltechnique.
ForreasonsknownonlytoHimself,GodhonoredmanaboveallotherbeingsbycreatinghiminHisownimage.Andletitbeunderstoodthatthedivineimageinmanisnotapoeticfancy,notanideabornofreligiouslonging.Itisasolidtheologicalfact,taughtplainlythroughouttheSacredScripturesandrecognizedbytheChurchasatruthnecessarytoarightunderstandingoftheChristianfaith.
Manisacreatedbeing,aderivedandcontingentself,whoofhimselfpossessesnothingbutisdependenteachmomentforhisexistenceupontheOnewhocreatedhimafterHisownlikeness.ThefactofGodisnecessarytothefactofman.ThinkGodawayandmanhasnogroundofexistence.
ThatGodiseverythingandmannothingisabasictenetofChristianfaithanddevotion;andheretheteachingsofChristianitycoincidewiththoseofthemoreadvancedandphilosophicalreligionsoftheEast.ManforallhisgeniusisbutanechooftheoriginalVoice,areflectionoftheuncreatedLight.Asasunbeamperisheswhencutofffromthesun,somanapartfromGodwouldpassbackintothevoidofnothingnessfromwhichhefirstleapedatthecreativecall.
Notmanonly,buteverythingthatexistscameoutofandisdependentuponthecontinuingcreativeimpulse.InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod….Allthingsweremadebyhimandwithouthimwasnotanythingmadethatwasmade.ThatishowJohnexplainsit,andwithhimagreestheapostlePaul:Forbyhimwereallthingscreated,thatareinheavenandthatareinearth,visibleandinvisible,whethertheybethrones,ordominions,orprincipalities,orpowers:allthingswerecreatedbyhim,andforhim;andheisbeforeallthings,andbyhimallthingsconsist.TothiswitnessthewritertotheHebrewsaddshisvoice,testifyingofChristthatHeisthebrightnessofGodsgloryandtheexpressimageofHisPerson,andthatHeupholdsallthingsbythewordofHispower.
InthisutterdependenceofallthingsuponthecreativewillofGodliesthepossibilityforbothholinessandsin.OneofthemarksofGodsimageinmanishisabilitytoexercisemoralchoice.TheteachingofChristianityisthatmanchosetobeindependentofGodandconfirmedhischoicebydeliberately
disobeyingadivinecommand.ThisactviolatedtherelationshipthatnormallyexistedbetweenGodandHiscreature;itrejectedGodasthegroundofexistenceandthrewmanbackuponhimself.ThereafterhebecamenotaplanetrevolvingaroundthecentralSun,butasuninhisownright,aroundwhicheverythingelsemustrevolve.
AmorepositiveassertionofselfhoodcouldnotbeimaginedthanthosewordsofGodtoMoses:IAMTHATIAM.EverythingGodis,everythingthatisGod,issetforthinthatunqualifieddeclarationofindependentbeing.YetinGod,selfisnotsinbutthequintessenceofallpossiblegoodness,holinessandtruth.
ThenaturalmanisasinnerbecauseandonlybecausehechallengesGodsselfhoodinrelationtohisown.InallelsehemaywillinglyacceptthesovereigntyofGod;inhisownlifeherejectsit.Forhim,Godsdominionendswherehisbegins.Forhim,selfbecomesSelf,andinthisheunconsciouslyimitatesLucifer,thatfallensonofthemorningwhosaidinhisheart,Iwillascendintoheaven,IwillexaltmythroneabovethestarsofGod….IwillbeliketheMostHigh.
Yetsosubtleisselfthatscarcelyanyoneisconsciousofitspresence.Becausemanisbornarebel,heisunawarethatheisone.Hisconstantassertionofself,asfarashethinksofitatall,appearstohimaperfectlynormalthing.Heiswillingtosharehimself,sometimeseventosacrificehimselfforadesiredend,butnevertodethronehimself.Nomatterhowfardownthescaleofsocialacceptancehemayslide,heisstillinhisowneyesakingonathrone,andnoone,notevenGod,cantakethatthronefromhim.
Sinhasmanymanifestationsbutitsessenceisone.Amoralbeing,createdtoworshipbeforethethroneofGod,sitsonthethroneofhisownselfhoodandfromthatelevatedpositiondeclares,IAM.Thatissininitsconcentratedessence;yetbecauseitisnaturalitappearstobegood.ItisonlywheninthegospelthesoulisbroughtbeforethefaceoftheMostHolyOnewithouttheprotectiveshieldofignorancethatthefrightfulmoralincongruityisbroughthometotheconscience.InthelanguageofevangelismthemanwhoisthusconfrontedbythefierypresenceofAlmightyGodissaidtobeunderconviction.ChristreferredtothiswhenHesaidoftheSpiritwhomHewouldsendtotheworld,Andwhenheiscome,hewillreprovetheworldofsin,andofrighteousness,andofjudgment.
TheearliestfulfilmentofthesewordsofChristwasatPentecostafterPeterhadpreachedthefirstgreatChristiansermon.Nowwhentheyheardthis,theywereprickedintheirheart,andsaiduntoPeterandtotherestoftheapostles,Menandbrethren,whatshallwedo?ThisWhatshallwedo?isthedeepheartcryofeverymanwhosuddenlyrealizesthatheisausurperandsitsonastolenthrone.Howeverpainful,itispreciselythisacutemoralconsternationthatproducestruerepentanceandmakesarobustChristianafterthepenitenthasbeendethronedandhasfoundforgivenessandpeacethroughthegospel.
Purityofheartistowillonething,saidKierkegaard,andwemaywithequaltruthturnthisaboutanddeclare,Theessenceofsinistowillonething,fortosetourwillagainstthewillofGodistodethroneGodandmakeourselvessupremeinthelittlekingdomofMansoul.Thisissinatitsevilroot.Sinsmaymultiplylikethesandsbytheseashore,buttheyareyetone.Sinsarebecausesinis.Thisistherationalebehindthemuchmaligneddoctrineofnaturaldepravitywhichholdsthattheindependentmancandonothingbutsinandthathisgooddeedsarereallynotgoodatall.HisbestreligiousworksGodrejectsasHerejectedtheofferingofCain.OnlywhenhehasrestoredhisstolenthronetoGodarehisworksacceptable.
ThestruggleoftheChristianmantobegoodwhilethebenttowardself-assertionstillliveswithinhimasakindofunconsciousmoralreflexisvividlydescribedbytheapostlePaulintheseventhchapterofhisRomanEpistle;andhistestimonyisinfullaccordwiththeteachingoftheprophets.EighthundredyearsbeforetheadventofChristtheprophetIsaiahidentifiedsinasrebellionagainstthewillofGodandtheassertionoftherightofeachmantochooseforhimselfthewayheshallgo.Allwelikesheephavegoneastray,hesaid,wehaveturnedeveryonetohisownway,andIbelievethatnomoreaccuratedescriptionofsinhaseverbeengiven.
Thewitnessofthesaintshasbeeninfullharmonywithprophetandapostle,thataninwardprincipleofselfliesatthesourceofhumanconduct,turningeverythingmendointoevil.TosaveuscompletelyChristmustreversethebentofournature;HemustplantanewprinciplewithinussothatoursubsequentconductwillspringoutofadesiretopromotethehonorofGodandthegoodofourfellowmen.Theoldself-sinsmustdie,andtheonlyinstrumentbywhichtheycanbeslainistheCross.Ifanymancomeafterme,lethimdenyhimself,andtakeuphiscross,andfollowme,saidourLord,andyearslaterthevictoriousPaulcouldsay,IamcrucifiedwithChrist:neverthelessIlive;yetnot
I,butChristlivethinme.
MyGod,shallsinitspowermaintain
Andinmysouldefiantlive!
TisnotenoughthatThouforgive,
Thecrossmustriseandselfbeslain.
OGodoflove,Thypowerdisclose:
TisnotenoughthatChristshouldrise,
I,too,mustseekthebrighteningskies,
Andrisefromdeath,asChristarose.
Greekhymn
Chapter6
TheSelf-sufficiencyofGod
Teachus,OGod,thatnothingisnecessarytoThee.WereanythingnecessarytoTheethatthingwouldbethemeasureofThineimperfection:andhowcouldweworshiponewhoisimperfect?IfnothingisnecessarytoThee,thennooneisnecessary,andifnoone,thennotwe.ThoudostseekusthoughThoudoesnotneedus.WeseekTheebecauseweneedThee,forinTheeweliveandmoveandhaveourbeing.Amen
TheFatherhathlifeinhimself,saidourLord,anditischaracteristicofHisteachingthatHethusinabriefsentencesetsforthtruthsoloftyastothetranscendthehighestreachesofhumanthought.God,Hesaid,isself-sufficient;HeiswhatHeisinHimself,inthefinalmeaningofthosewords.
WhateverGodis,andallthatGodis,HeisinHimself.AlllifeisinandfromGod,whetheritbethelowestformofunconsciouslifeorthehighlyself-conscious,intelligentlifeofaseraph.Nocreaturehaslifeinitself;alllifeisagiftfromGod.
ThelifeofGod,conversely,isnotagiftfromanother.WerethereanotherfromwhomGodcouldreceivethegiftoflife,orindeedanygiftwhatever,thatotherwouldbeGodinfact.AnelementarybutcorrectwaytothinkofGodisastheOnewhocontainsall,whogivesallthatisgiven,butwhoHimselfcanreceivenothingthatHehasnotfirstgiven.
ToadmittheexistenceofaneedinGodistoadmitincompletenessinthedivineBeing.Needisacreature-wordandcannotbespokenoftheCreator.GodhasavoluntaryrelationtoeverythingHehasmade,butHehasnonecessaryrelationtoanythingoutsideofHimself.HisinterestinHiscreaturesarisesfromHissovereigngoodpleasure,notfromanyneedthosecreaturescansupplynorfromanycompletenesstheycanbringtoHimwhoiscompleteinHimself.
Againwemustreversethefamiliarflowofourthoughtsandtrytounderstandthatwhichisunique,thatwhichstandsaloneasbeingtrueinthissituationandnowhereelse.Ourcommonhabitsofthoughtallowfortheexistenceofneed
amongcreatedthings.Nothingiscompleteinitselfbutrequiressomethingoutsideitselfinordertoexist.Allbreathingthingsneedair;everyorganismneedsfoodandwater.Takeairandwaterfromtheearthandalllifewouldperishinstantly.ItmaybestatedasallaxiomthattostayaliveeverycreatedthingneedssomeothercreatedthingandallthingsneedGod.ToGodalonenothingisnecessary.
Therivergrowslargerbyitstributaries,butwhereisthetributarythatcanenlargetheOneoutofwhomcameeverythingandtowhoseinfinitefullnessallcreationowesitsbeing?
UnfathomableSea:alllifeisoutofThee,
AndThylifeisThyblissfulUnity.
FrederickW.Faber
TheproblemofwhyGodcreatedtheuniversestilltroublesthinkingmen;butifwecannotknowwhy,wecanatleastknowthatHedidnotbringHisworldsintobeingtomeetsomeunfulfilledneedinHimself,asamanmightbuildahousetoshelterhimagainstthewintercoldorplantafieldofcorntoprovidehimwithnecessaryfood.ThewordnecessaryiswhollyforeigntoGod.
SinceHeistheBeingsupremeoverall,itfollowsthatGodcannotbeelevated.NothingisaboveHim,nothingbeyondHim.AnymotioninHisdirectioniselevationforthecreature;awayfromHim,descent.HeholdsHispositionoutofHimselfandbyleaveofnone.AsnoonecanpromoteHim,sonoonecandegradeHim.ItiswrittenthatHeupholdsallthingsbythewordofHispower.HowcanHeberaisedorsupportedbythethingsHeupholds?
Wereallhumanbeingssuddenlytobecomeblind,stillthesunwouldshinebydayandthestarsbynight,fortheseowenothingtothemillionswhobenefitfromtheirlight.So,wereeverymanonearthtobecomeatheist,itcouldnotaffectGodinanyway.HeiswhatHeisinHimselfwithoutregardtoanyother.TobelieveinHimaddsnothingtoHisperfections;todoubtHimtakesnothingaway.
AlmightyGod,justbecauseHeisalmighty,needsnosupport.Thepictureofanervous,ingratiatingGodfawningovermentowintheirfavorisnotapleasantone;yetifwelookatthepopularconceptionofGodthatispreciselywhatwe
see.TwentiethcenturyChristianityhasputGodoncharity.Soloftyisouropinionofourselvesthatwefinditquiteeasy,nottosayenjoyable,tobelievethatwearenecessarytoGod.ButthetruthisthatGodisnotgreaterforourbeing,norwouldHebelessifwedidnotexist.ThatwedoexistisaltogetherofGodsfreedetermination,notbyourdesertnorbydivinenecessity.
ProbablythehardestthoughtofallforournaturalegotismtoentertainisthatGoddoesnotneedourhelp.WecommonlyrepresentHimasabusy,eager,somewhatfrustratedFatherhurryingaboutseekinghelptocarryoutHisbenevolentplantobringpeaceandsalvationtotheworld,but,assaidtheLadyJulian,IsawtrulythatGoddoethall-thing,beitneversolittle.TheGodwhoworkethallthingssurelyneedsnohelpandnohelpers.
ToomanymissionaryappealsarebaseduponthisfanciedfrustrationofAlmightyGod.Aneffectivespeakercaneasilyexcitepityinhislisteners,notonlyfortheheathenbutfortheGodwhohastriedsohardandsolongtosavethemandhasfailedforwantofsupport.IfearthatthousandsofyoungerpersonsenterChristianservicefromnohighermotivethantohelpdeliverGodfromtheembarrassingsituationHislovehasgottenHimintoandHislimitedabilitiesseemunabletogetHimoutof.AddtothisacertaindegreeofcommendableidealismandafairamountofcompassionfortheunderprivilegedandyouhavethetruedrivebehindmuchChristianactivitytoday.
Again,Godneedsnodefenders.HeistheeternalUndefended.Tocommunicatewithusinallidiomwecanunderstand,GodintheScripturesmakesfulluseofmilitaryterms;butsurelyitwasneverintendedthatweshouldthinkofthethroneoftheMajestyonhighasbeingundersiege,withMichaelandhishostsorsomeotherheavenlybeingsdefendingitfromstormyoverthrow.SotothinkistomisunderstandeverythingtheBiblewouldtellusaboutGod.NeitherJudaismnorChristianitycouldapprovesuchpuerilenotions.AGodwhomustbedefendedisonewhocanhelpusonlywhilesomeoneishelpingHim.WemaycountuponHimonlyifHewinsinthecosmicseesawbattlebetweenrightandwrong.SuchaGodcouldnotcommandtherespectofintelligentmen;Hecouldonlyexcitetheirpity.
ToberightwemustthinkworthilyofGod.ItismorallyimperativethatwepurgefromourmindsallignobleconceptsoftheDeityandletHimbetheGodinourmindsthatHeisinHisuniverse.TheChristianreligionhastodowithGodandman,butitsfocalpointisGod,notman.Mansonlyclaimto
importanceisthathewascreatedinthedivineimage;inhimselfheisnothing.ThepsalmistsandprophetsoftheScripturesrefersadscorntoweakmanwhosebreathisinhisnostrils,whogrowsuplikethegrassinthemorningonlytobecutdownandwitherbeforethesettingofthesun.ThatGodexistsforhimselfandmanforthegloryofGodistheemphaticteachingoftheBible.ThehighhonorofGodisfirstinheavenasitmustyetbeinearth.
FromallthiswemaybegintounderstandwhytheHolyScriptureshavesomuchtosayaboutthevitalplaceoffaithandwhytheybrandunbeliefasadeadlysin.Amongallcreatedbeings,notonedaretrustititself.Godalonetrustsinhimself;allotherbeingsmusttrustinHim.Unbeliefisactuallypervertedfaith,foritputsitstrustnotinthelivingGodbutindyingmen.Theunbelieverdeniestheself-sufficiencyofGodandusurpsattributesthatarenothis.ThisdualsindishonorsGodandultimatelydestroysthesouloftheman.
InHisloveandpityGodcametousasChrist.ThishasbeentheconsistentpositionoftheChurchfromthedaysoftheapostles.ItisfixedforChristianbeliefinthedoctrineoftheincarnationoftheEternalSon.Inrecenttimes,however,thishascometomeansomethingdifferentfrom,andlessthan,whatitmeanttotheearlychurch.TheManJesusasHeappearedinthefleshhasbeenequatedwiththeGodheadandallHishumanweaknessesandlimitationsattributedtotheDeity.ThetruthisthattheManwhowalkedamonguswasademonstration,notofunveileddeitybutofperfecthumanity.TheawfulmajestyoftheGodheadwasmercifullysheathedinthesoftenvelopeofHumannaturetoprotectmankind.Godown,GodtoldMosesonthemountain,chargethepeople,lesstheybreakthroughuntotheLordtogaze,andmanyofthemperish;andlater,Thoucanstnotseemyface:forthereshallnomanseeme,andlive.
ChristianstodayappeartoknowChristonlyaftertheflesh.TheytrytoachievecommunionwithHimbydivestingHimofHisburningholinessandunapproachablemajesty,theveryattributesHeveiledwhileonearthbutassumedinfullnessofgloryuponHisascensiontotheFathersrighthand.TheChristofpopularChristianityhasaweaksmileandahalo.HehasbecomeSomeone-up-Therewholikespeople,atleastsomepeople,andthesearegratefulbutnottooimpressed.IftheyneedHim,Healsoneedsthem.
Letusnotimaginethatthetruthofthedivineself-sufficiencywillparalyseChristianactivity.Ratheritwillstimulateallholyendeavor.Thistruth,whileaneededrebuketohumanself-confidence,willwhenviewedinitsBiblical
perspectiveliftfromourmindstheexhaustingloadofmortalityandencourageustotaketheeasyyokeofChristandspendourselvesinSpirit-inspiredtoilforthehonorofGodandthegoodofmankind.FortheblessednewsisthattheGodwhoneedsnoonehasinsovereigncondescensionsetHimselftoworkbyandinandthroughHisobedientchildren.
Ifallthisappearsself-contradictory-Amen,beitso.Thevariouselementsoftruthstandinperpetualantithesis,sometimesrequiringustobelieveapparentoppositeswhilewewaitforthemomentwhenweshallknowasweareknown.Thentruthwhichnowappearstobeinconflictwithitselfwillariseinshiningunityanditwillbeseenthattheconflicthasnotbeeninthetruthbutinoursin-damagedminds.
InthemeanwhileourinnerfulfilmentliesinlovingobediencetothecommandmentsofChristandtheinspiredadmonitionsofHisapostles.ItisGodwhichworkethinyou.Heneedsnoone,butwhenfaithispresentHeworksthroughanyone.Twostatementsareinthissentenceandahealthyspiritualliferequiresthatweacceptboth.Forafullgenerationthefirsthasbeeninalmosttotaleclipse,andthattoourdeepspiritualinjury.
Fountainofgood,allblessingflows
FromThee;nowantThyfulnessknows;
WhatbutThyselfcanstThoudesire?
Yet,self-sufficientasThouart,
Thoudostdesiremyworthlessheart.
This,onlythis,dostThourequire.
JohannScheffler
Chapter7
TheEternityofGod
Thisdayourheartsapprovewithgladnesswhatourreasoncanneverfullycomprehend,evenThineeternity,OAncientofDays.ArtThounotfromeverlasting,OLord,myGod,mineHolyOne?
WeworshipThee,theFatherEverlasting,whoseyearsshallhavenoend;andThee,thelove-begottenSonwhosegoingsforthhavebeeneverofold;wealsoacknowledgeandadoreThee,EternalSpirit,whobeforethefoundationoftheworlddidstliveandloveincoequalglorywiththeFatherandtheSon.
EnlargeandpurifythemansionsofoursoulsthattheymaybefithabitationsforThySpirit,whodostpreferbeforealltemplestheuprightheartandpure.Amen.
TheconceptofeverlastingnessrunslikealoftymountainrangethroughouttheentireBibleandloomslargeinorthodoxHebrewandChristianthought.Werewetorejecttheconcept,itwouldbealtogetherimpossibleforustothinkagainthethoughtsofprophetsandapostles,sofullweretheyofthelongdreamsofeternity.
Becausethewordeverlastingissometimesusedbythesacredwriterstomeannomorethanlong-lasting(astheeverlastinghills),somepersonshavearguedthattheconceptofunendingexistencewasnotinthemindsofthewriterswhentheyusedthewordbutwassuppliedlaterbythetheologians.Thisisofcourseaseriouserror,and,asfarasIcansee,hasnogroundinseriousscholarship.Ithasbeenusedbycertainteachersasanescapefromthedoctrineofeternalpunishment.Theserejecttheeternityofmoralretribution,andtobeconsistenttheyareforcedtoweakenthewholeideaofendlessness.Thisisnottheonlyinstancewhereanattemptwasmadetoslayatruthtokeepitquietlestitappearasamaterialwitnessagainstanerror.
ThetruthisthatiftheBibledidnotteachthatGodpossessedendlessbeingintheultimatemeaningofthatterm,wewouldbecompelledtoinferitfromHisotherattributes,andiftheHolyScriptureshadnowordforabsoluteeverlastingness,itwouldbenecessaryforustocoinonetoexpresstheconcept,
foritisassumed,implied,andgenerallytakenforgrantedeverywherethroughouttheinspiredScriptures.TheideaofendlessnessistothekingdomofGodwhatcarbonistothekingdomofnature.Ascarbonispresentalmosteverywhere,asitisanessentialelementinalllivingmatterandsuppliesalllifewithenergy,sotheconceptofeverlastingnessisnecessarytogivemeaningtoanyChristiandoctrine.IndeedIknowofnotenetoftheChristiancreedthatcouldretainitssignificanceiftheideaofeternitywereextractedfromit.
Fromeverlastingtoeverlasting,thouartGod,saidMosesintheSpirit.FromthevanishingpointtothevanishingpointwouldbeanotherwaytosayitquiteinkeepingwiththewordsasMosesusedthem.Themindlooksbackwardintimetillthedimpastvanishes,thenturnsandlooksintothefuturetillthoughtandimaginationcollapsesfromexhaustion:andGodisatbothpoints,unaffectedbyeither.
Timemarksthebeginningofcreatedexistence,andbecauseGodneverbegantoexistitcanhavenoapplicationtoHim.Beganisatime-word,anditcanhavenopersonalmeaningforthehighandloftyOnethatinhabitedeternity.
NoagecanheapitsoutwardyearsonThee;
DearGod!Thouart;Thyself,Thineowneternity.
FrederickF.Faber
BecauseGodlivesinaneverlastingnow,Hehasnopastandnofuture.Whentime-wordsoccurintheScripturestheyrefertoourtime,nottoHis.Whenthefourlivingcreaturesbeforethethronecrydayandnight,Holy,holy,holy,LordGodAlmighty,whichwas,andis,andistocome,theyareidentifyingGodwiththeflowofcreature-lifewithitsfamiliarthreetenses;andthisisrightandgood,forGodhassovereignlywilledsotoidentifyHimself.ButsinceGodisuncreated,Heisnothimselfaffectedbythatsuccessionofconsecutivechangeswecalltime.
GoddwellsineternitybuttimedwellsinGod.HehasalreadylivedallourtomorrowsasHehaslivedallouryesterdays.AnillustrationofferedbyC.S.Lewismayhelpushere.Hesuggeststhatwethinkofasheetofpaperinfinitelyextended.Thatwouldbeeternity.Thenonthatpaperdrawashortlinetorepresenttime.Asthelinebeginsandendsonthatinfiniteexpanse,sotimebeganinGodandwillendinHim.
ThatGodappearsattimesbeginningisnottoodifficulttocomprehend,butthatHeappearsatthebeginningandendoftimesimultaneouslyisnotsoeasytograsp;yetitistrue.Timeisknowntousbyasuccessionofevents.Itisthewayweaccountforconsecutivechangesintheuniverse.Changestakeplacenotallatoncebutinsuccession,oneaftertheother,anditistherelationofaftertobeforethatgivesusourideaoftime.Wewaitforthesuntomovefromeasttowestorforthehourhandtomovearoundthefaceoftheclock,butGodisnotcompelledsotowait.ForHimeverythingthatwillhappenhasalreadyhappened.
ThisiswhyGodcansay,IamGod,andthereisnonelikeme,declaringtheendfromthebeginning.Heseestheendandthebeginninginoneview.Forinfiniteduration,whichiseternitysself,includethallsuccession,saysNicholasofCusa,andallwhichseemethtoustobeinsuccessionexistethnotposteriortoThyconcept,whichiseternity….Thus,becauseThouartGodalmighty,ThoudwellestwithinthewallofParadise,andthiswallisthatcoincidencewherelaterisonewithearlier,wheretheendisonewiththebeginning,whereAlphaandOmegaarethesame….ForNOWandTHENcoincideinthecircleofthewallofParadise.But,OmyGod,theAbsoluteandEternal,itisbeyondthepresentandthepastthatThoudostexistandutterspeech.
WhenHewasaveryoldman,MoseswrotethepsalmfromwhichIhavequotedearlierinthischapter.InithecelebratestheeternityofGod.TohimthistruthisasolidtheologicalfactasfirmandhardasthatMountSinaiwithwhichhewassofamiliar,andforhimithadtwopracticalmeanings:sinceGodiseternal,HecanbeandcontinueforevertobetheonesafehomeforHistime-drivenchildren.Lord,thouhastbeenourdwellingplaceinallgenerations.Thesecondthoughtislesscomforting:Godseternityissolongandouryearsoneartharesofew,howshallweestablishtheworkofourhands?Howshallweescapetheabrasiveactionofeventsthatwouldwearusoutanddestroyus?Godfillsanddominatesthepsalm,soitistoHimthatMosesmakeshisplaintiveappeal,Soteachustonumberourdays,thatwemayapplyourheartsuntowisdom.MaytheknowledgeofThyeternitynotbewastedonme!
WewholiveinthisnervousagewouldbewisetomeditateonourlivesandourdayslongandoftenbeforethefaceofGodandontheedgeofeternity.Forwearemadeforeternityascertainlyaswearemadefortime,andasresponsiblemoralbeingswemustdealwithboth.
Hehathseteternityintheirheart,saidthePreacher,andIthinkheheresetsforth
boththegloryandthemiseryofmen.Tobemadeforeternityandforcedtodwellintimeisformankindatragedyofhugeproportions.Allwithinuscriesforlifeandpermanence,andeverythingaroundusremindsusofmortalityandchange.YetthatGodhasmadeusofthestuffofeternityisbothagloryandaprophecyyettobefulfilled.
IhopeitwillnotbefoundundulyrepetitiousifIreturnagaintothatimportantpillarofChristiantheology,theimageofGodinman.Themarksofthedivineimagehavebeensoobscuredbysinthattheyarenoteasytoidentify,butisitnotreasonabletobelievethatonemarkmaybemansinsatiablecravingforimmortality?
Thouwiltnotleaveusinthedust:
Thoumadestman,heknowsnotwhy;
Hethinkshewasnotmadetodie
AndThouhastmadehim:Thouartjust.
SoreasonsTennyson,andthedeepestinstinctsofthenormalhumanheartagreewithhim.TheancientimageofGodwhisperswithineverymanofeverlastinghope;somewherehewillcontinuetoexist.Stillhecannotrejoice,forthelightthatlightetheverymanthatcomethintotheworldtroubleshisconscience,frighteninghimwithproofsofguiltandevidencesofcomingdeath.Soishegroundbetweentheuppermillstoneofhopeandthenetherstoneoffear.
JustherethesweetrelevancyoftheChristianmessageappears.JesusChrist…hathabolisheddeath,andhathbroughtlifeandimmortalitytolightthroughthegospel.SowrotethegreatestChristianofthemalljustbeforehewentouttomeethisexecutioner.GodseternityandmansmortalityjointopersuadeusthatfaithinJesusChristisnotoptional.ForeverymanitmustbeChristoreternaltragedy.OutofeternityourLordcameintotimetorescueHishumanbrethrenwhosemoralfollyhadmadethemnotonlyfoolsofthepassingworldbutslavesofsinanddeathaswell.
Brieflifeishereourportion,
Briefsorrow,short-livedcare;
Thelifethatknowsnoending,
Thetearlesslifeisthere.
ThereGod,ourKingandPortion,
InfullnessofHisgrace,Wethenshallseeforever,
Andworshipfacetoface.
BernardofCluny
Chapter8
GodsInfinitude
OurHeavenlyFather:LetusseeThyglory,ifitmustbefromtheshelterofthecleftrockandfrombeneaththeprotectionofThycoveringhand.WhateverthecosttousinlossoffriendsorgoodsorlengthofdaysletusknowTheeasThouart,thatwemayadoreTheeasweshould.ThroughJesusChristourLord.Amen.
Theworldisevil,thetimesarewaxinglate,andthegloryofGodhasdepartedfromthechurchasthefierycloudonceliftedfromthedooroftheTempleinthesightofEzekieltheprophet.
TheGodofAbrahamhaswithdrawnHisconsciousPresencefromus,andanotherGodwhomourfathersknewnotismakinghimselfathomeamongus.ThisGodwehavemadeandbecausewehavemadehimwecanunderstandhim;becausewehavecreatedhimhecanneversurpriseus,neveroverwhelmus,norastonishus,nortranscendus.
TheGodofglorysometimesrevealedHimselflikeasuntowarmandbless,indeed,butoftentoastonish,overwhelm,andblindbeforeHehealedandbestowedpermanentsight.ThisGodofourfatherswillstobetheGodoftheirsucceedingrace.WehaveonlytoprepareHimahabitationinloveandfaithandhumility.WehavebuttowantHimbadlyenough,andHewillcomeandmanifestHimselftous.
Shallweallowasaintlyandthoughtfulmantoexhortus?HearAnselm;orbetterstill,heedhiswords:
Upnow,slightman!Fleeforalittlewhilethyoccupations;hidethyselfforatimefromthydisturbingthoughts.Castasidenowthyburdensomecares,andputawaythytoilsomebusiness.YieldroomforsomelittletimetoGod,andrestforalittletimeinHim.Entertheinnerchamberofthymind;shutoutallthoughtssavethatofGodandsuchascanaidtheeinseekingHim.Speaknow,mywholeheart!SpeaknowtoGod,saying,IseekThyface;Thyface,Lord,willIseek.
OfallthatcanbethoughtorsaidaboutGod,HisInfinitudeisthemostdifficult
tograsp.Eventotrytoconceiveofitwouldappeartobeself-contradictory,forsuchconceptualizationrequiresustoundertakesomethingwhichweknowattheoutsetwecanneveraccomplish.Yetwemusttry,fortheHolyScripturesteachthatGodisinfiniteand,ifweacceptHisotherattributes,wemustofnecessityacceptthisonetoo.
Fromtheefforttounderstand,wemustnotturnbackbecausethewayisdifficultandtherearenomechanicalaidsfortheascent.Theviewisbetterfartherupandthejourneyisnotoneforthefeetbutfortheheart.Letusseek,therefore,suchtrancesofthoughtandmountingsofthemindasGodmaybepleasedtograntus,knowingthattheLordoftenpourseyesightontheblindandwhisperstobabesandsucklingstruthsneverdreamedofbythewiseandprudent.Nowtheblindmustseeandthedeafhear.Nowwemustexpecttoreceivethetreasuresofdarknessandthehiddenrichesofsecretplaces.
Infinitude,ofcourse,meanslimitlessness,anditisobviouslyimpossibleforalimitedmindtograsptheUnlimited.InthischapterIamcompelledtothinkonestepshortofthataboutwhichIamwriting,andthereadermustofnecessitythinkadegreeunderthataboutwhichheistryingtothink.O,thedepthsoftherichesbothofthewisdomandknowledgeofGod!HowunsearchableareHisjudgments,andHiswayspastfindingout!
Thereasonforourdilemmahasbeensuggestedbefore.Wearetryingtoenvisionamodeofbeingaltogetherforeigntous,andwhollyunlikeanythingwehaveknowninourfamiliarworldofmatter,space,andtime.
Here,andinallourmeditationsuponthequalitiesandcontentofGod,writesNovatian,wepassbeyondourpoweroffitconception,norcanhumaneloquenceputforthapowercommensuratewithHisgreatness.AtthecontemplationandutteranceofHismajestyalleloquenceisrightlydumb,allmentaleffortisfeeble.ForGodisgreaterthanminditself.Hisgreatnesscannotbeconceived.Nay,couldweconceiveofHisgreatnessHewouldbelessthanthehumanmindwhichcouldformtheconception.Heisgreaterthanalllanguage,andnostatementcanexpressHim.Indeed,ifanystatementcouldexpressHim,HewouldbelessthanhumanspeechwhichcouldbysuchstatementcomprehendandgatherupallthatHeis.AllourthoughtsaboutHimwillbelessthanHe,andourloftiestutteranceswillbetrivialitiesincomparisonwithHim.
Unfortunatelythewordinfinitehasnotalwaysbeenheldtoitsprecisemeaning,
buthasbeenusedcarelesslytomeansimplymuchoragreatdeal,aswhenwesaythatanartisttakesinfinitepainswithhispictureorateachershowsinfinitepatiencewithherclass.Properly,thewordcanbeusedofnocreatedthing,andofnoonebutGod.Hence,toargueaboutwhetherornotspaceisinfiniteistoplaywithwords.InfinitudecanbelongtobutOne.Therecanbenosecond.
WhenwesaythatGodisinfinitewemeanthatHeknowsnobounds.WhateverGodisandallthatGodis,Heiswithoutlimit.Andhereagainwemustbreakawayfromthepopularmeaningofwords.Unlimitedwealthandboundlessenergyarefurtherexamplesofthemisuseofwords.OfcoursenowealthisunlimitedandnoenergyboundlessunlesswearespeakingofthewealthandenergyofGod.
Again,tosaythatGodisinfiniteistosaythatHeismeasureless.Measurementisthewaycreatedthingshaveofaccountingforthemselves.Itdescribeslimitations,imperfections,andcannotapplytoGod.Weightdescribesthegravitationalpulloftheearthuponmaterialbodies;distancedescribesintervalsbetweenbodiesinspace;lengthmeansextensioninspace,andthereareotherfamiliarmeasurementssuchasthoseforliquid,energy,sound,light,andnumbersforpluralities.Wealsotrytomeasureabstractqualities,andspeakofgreatorlittlefaith,highorlowintelligence,largeormeagertalents.
ItisnotplainthatallthisdoesnotandcannotapplytoGod?ItisthewayweseetheworksofHishands,butnotthewayweseeHim.Heisaboveallthis,outsideofit,beyondit.Ourconceptsofmeasurementembracemountainsandmen,atomsandstars,gravity,energy,numbers,speed,butneverGod.WecannotspeakofmeasureoramountorsizeorweightandatthesametimebespeakingofGod,forthesetellofdegreesandtherearenodegreesinGod.AllthatHeisHeiswithoutgrowthoradditionordevelopment.NothinginGodislessormore,orlargeorsmall.HeiswhatHeisinHimself,withoutqualifyingthoughtorword.HeissimplyGod.
IntheawfulabyssofthedivineBeingmaylieattributesofwhichweknownothingandwhichcanhavenomeaningforus,justastheattributesofmercyandgracecanhavenopersonalmeaningforseraphimorcherubim.TheseholybeingsmayknowofthesequalitiesinGodbutbeunabletofeelthemsympatheticallyforthereasonthattheyhavenotsinnedandsodonotcallforthGodsmercyandgrace.Sotheremaybe,andIbelievetheresurelyare,otheraspectsofGodsessentialbeingwhichHehasnotrevealedeventoHisransomed
andSpirit-illuminatedchildren.ThesehiddenfacetsofGodsnatureconcernHisrelationtononebutHimself.Theyarelikethefarsideofthemoon,whichweknowistherebutwhichhasneverbeenexploredandhasnoimmediatemeaningformenonearth.Thereisnoreasonforustotrytodiscoverwhathasnotbeenrevealed.ItisenoughtoknowthatGodisGod.
ThineownSelfforeverfilling
Withself-kindledflame,
InThyselfThouartdistilling
Unctionswithoutname!
Withoutworshippingofcreatures,
WithoutveilingofThyfeatures,
Godalwaysthesame!
FrederickW.Faber
ButGodsinfinitudebelongstousandismadeknowntousforoureverlastingprofit.Yet,justwhatdoesitmeantousbeyondthemerewonderofthinkingaboutit?Mucheveryway,andmoreaswecometoknowourselvesandGodbetter.
BecauseGodsnatureisinfinite,everythingthatflowsoutofitisinfinitealso.Wepoorhumancreaturesareconstantlybeingfrustratedbylimitationsimposeduponusfromwithoutandwithin.Thedaysoftheyearsofourlivesarefew,andswifterthanaweaversshuttle.Lifeisashortandfeveredrehearsalforaconcertwecannotstaytogive.Justwhenweappeartohaveattainedsomeproficiencyweareforcedtolayourinstrumentsdown.Thereissimplynottimeenoughtothink,tobecome,toperformwhattheconstitutionofournaturesindicateswearecapableof.
HowcompletelysatisfyingtoturnfromourlimitationstoaGodwhohasnone.EternalyearslieinHisheart.ForHimtimedoesnotpass,itremains;andthosewhoareinChristsharewithHimalltherichesoflimitlesstimeandendlessyears.Godneverhurries.TherearenodeadlinesagainstwhichHemustwork.
Onlytoknowthisistoquietourspiritsandrelaxournerves.ForthoseoutofChrist,timeisadevouringbeast;beforethesonsofthenewcreationtimecrouchesandpurrsandlickstheirhands.Thefoeoftheoldhumanracebecomesthefriendofthenew,andthestarsintheircoursesfightforthemanGoddelightstohonor.Thiswemaylearnfromthedivineinfinitude.
Butthereismore.Godsgiftsinnaturehavetheirlimitations.Theyarefinitebecausetheyhavebeencreated,butthegiftofeternallifeinChristJesusisaslimitlessasGod.TheChristianmanpossessesGodsownlifeandsharesHisinfinitudewithHim.InGodthereislifeenoughforallandtimeenoughtoenjoyit.Whateverispossessedofnaturalliferunsthroughitscyclefrombirthtodeathandceasestobe,butthelifeofGodreturnsuponitselfandceasesnever.Andthisislifeeternal:toknowtheonetrueGod,andJesusChristwhomHehassent.
ThemercyofGodisinfinitetoo,andthemanwhohasfeltthegrindingpainofinwardguiltknowsthatthisismorethanacademic.Wheresinabounded,gracedidmuchmoreabound.Aboundingsinistheterroroftheworld,butaboundinggraceisthehopeofmankind.howeversinmayabounditstillhasitslimits,foritistheproductoffinitemindsandhearts;butGodsmuchmoreintroducesustoinfinitude.Againstourdeepcreature-sicknessstandsGodsinfiniteabilitytocure.
TheChristianwitnessthroughthecenturieshasbeenthatGodsolovedtheworld…;itremainsforustoseethatloveinthelightofGodsinfinitude.Hisloveismeasureless.Itismore:itisboundless.IthasnoboundsbecauseitisnotathingbutafacetoftheessentialnatureofGod.HisloveissomethingHeis,andbecauseHeisinfinitethatlovecanenfoldthewholecreatedworldinitselfandhaveroomfortenthousandtimestenthousandworldsbeside.
This,thisistheGodweadore,
Ourfaithful,unchangeableFriend,
WhoseloveisasgreatasHispower,
Andneitherknowsmeasurenorend.
TisJesus,thefirstandthelast,
WhoseSpiritshallguideussafehome;
WepraiseHimforallthatispast,
AndtrustHimforallthatstocome.
JosephHart
Chapter9
TheImmutabilityofGod
OChristourLord,Thouhastbeenourdwellingplaceinallgenerations.Asconiestotheirrock,sohaveweruntoTheeforsafety;asbirdsfromtheirwanderings,sohaveweflowntoTheeforpeace.Chanceandchangearebusyinourlittleworldofnatureandmen,butinTheewefindnovariablenessnorshadowofturning.WerestinTheewithoutfearordoubtandfaceourtomorrowswithoutanxiety.Amen.
TheimmutabilityofGodisamongthoseattributeslessdifficulttounderstand,buttograspitwemustdisciplineourselvestosortouttheusualthoughtswithwhichwethinkofcreatedthingsfromtherareronesthatarisewhenwetrytolayholdofwhatevermaybecomprehendedofGod.
TosaythatGodisimmutableistosaythatHeneverdiffersfromHimself.TheconceptofagrowingordevelopingGodisnotfoundintheScriptures.ItseemstomeimpossibletothinkofGodasvaryingfromHimselfinanyway.Hereiswhy:
Foramoralbeingtochangeitwouldbenecessarythatthechangebeinoneofthreedirections.Hemustgofrombettertoworseorfromworsetobetter;or,grantedthatthemoralqualityremainstable,hemustchangewithinhimself,asfromminiaturetomatureorfromoneorderofbeingtoanother.ItshouldbeclearthatGodcanmoveinnoneofthesedirections.Hisperfectionsforeverruleoutanysuchpossibility.
Godcannotchangeforthebetter.SinceHeisperfectlyholy,HehasneverbeenlessholythanHeisnowandcanneverbeholierthanHeisandhasalwaysbeen.NeithercanGodchangefortheworse.AnydeteriorationwithintheunspeakablyholynatureofGodisimpossible.IndeedIbelieveitimpossibleeventothinkofsuchathing,forthemomentweattempttodoso,theobjectaboutwhichwearethinkingisnolongerGodbutsomethingelseandsomeonelessthanHe.Theoneofwhomwearethinkingmaybeagreatandawesomecreature,butbecauseheisacreaturehecannotbetheself-existentCreator.
AstherecanbenomutationinthemoralcharacterofGod,sotherecanbenonewithinthedivineessence.ThebeingofGodisuniqueintheonlypropermeaningofthatword;thatis,Hisbeingisotherthananddifferentfromallotherbeings.WehaveseenhowGoddiffersfromHiscreaturesinbeingself-existent,self-sufficient,andeternal.ByvirtueoftheseattributesGodisGodandnotsomeotherbeing.Onewhocansufferanyslightestdegreeofchangeisneitherself-existent,self-sufficient,noreternal,andsoisnotGod.
Onlyabeingcomposedofpartsmaychange,forchangeisbasicallyashiftintherelationofthepartsofawholeortheadmissionofsomeforeignelementintotheoriginalcomposition.SinceGodisself-existent,Heisnotcomposed.ThereareinHimnopartstobealtered.AndsinceHeisself-sufficient,nothingcanenterHisbeingfromwithout.
Whateveriscomposedofparts,saysAnselm,isnotaltogetherone,butisinsomesortplural,anddiversefromitself,andeitherinfactorinconceptiscapableofdissolution.ButthesethingsarealientoThee,thanwhomnothingbettercanbeconceivedof.Hence,therearenopartsinTheeLord.,norartThoumorethanone.ButThouartsotrulyaunitarybeing,andsoidenticalwithThyself,thatinnorespectartThouunlikeThyself,ratherThouartunityitself,indivisiblebyanyconception.
AllthatGodisHehasalwaysbeen,andallthatHehasbeenandisHewilleverbe.NothingthatGodhaseversaidaboutHimselfwillbemodified;nothingtheinspiredprophetsandapostleshavesaidaboutHimwillberescinded.Hisimmutabilityguaranteesthis.
TheimmutabilityofGodappearsinitsmostperfectbeautywhenviewedagainstthemutabilityofmen.InGodnochangeispossible;inmenchangeisimpossibletoescape.Neitherthemanisfixednorhisworld,butheanditareinconstantflux.Eachmanappearsforalittlewhiletolaughandweep,toworkandplay,andthentogotomakeroomforthosewhoshallfollowhiminthenever-endingcycle.
Certainpoetshavefoundamorbidpleasureinthelawofimpermanenceandhavesunginaminorkeythesongofperpetualchange.Omarthetentmakerwasonewhosangwithpathosandhumorofmutationandmortality,thetwindiseasesthatafflictmankind.Dontslapthatclayaroundsoroughly,heexhortsthepotter,thatmaybeyourgrandfathersdustyoumakesofreewith.Whenyou
liftthecuptodrinkredwine,heremindsthereveler,youmaybekissingthelipsofsomebeautydeadlongago.
Thisnoteofsweetsorrowexpressedwithgentlehumorgivesaradiantbeautytohisquatrainsbut,howeverbeautiful,thewholelongpoemissick,sickuntodeath.Likethebirdcharmedbytheserpentthatwoulddevourit,thepoetisfascinatedbytheenemythatisdestroyinghimandallmenandeverygenerationofmen.
Thesacredwriters,too,faceuptomansmutability,buttheyarehealthymenandthereisawholesomestrengthintheirwords.Theyhavefoundthecureforthegreatsickness.God,theysaychangesnot.Thelawofmutationbelongstoafallenworld,butGodisimmutable,andinHimmenoffaithfindatlasteternalpermanence.Inthemeanwhilechangeworksforthechildrenofthekingdom,notagainstthem.Thechangesthatoccurinthemarewroughtbythehandofthein-livingSpirit.Butweall,saystheapostle,withopenfacebeholdingasinaglassthegloryoftheLord,arechangedintothesameimagefromglorytoglory,evenasbytheSpiritoftheLord.
Inaworldofchangeanddecaynoteventhemanoffaithcanbecompletelyhappy.Instinctivelyheseekstheunchangingandisbereavedatthepassingofdearfamiliarthings.
OLord!myheartissick,
Sickofthiseverlastingchange;
Andliferunstediouslyquick
Throughitsunrestingraceandvariedrange:
ChangefindsnolikenesstoitselfinThee
AndwakesnoechoinThymuteEternity.
FrederickW.Faber
ThesewordsofFaberfindsympatheticresponseineveryheart;yetmuchaswemaydeplorethelackofstabilityinallearthlythings,inafallenworldsuchasthistheveryabilitytochangeisagoldentreasure,agiftfromGodofsuch
fabulousworthastocallforconstantthanksgiving.Forhumanbeingsthewholepossibilityofredemptionliesintheirabilitytochange.
Tomoveacrossfromonesortofpersontoanotheristheessenceofrepentance:theliarbecomestruthful,thethiefhonest,thelewdpure,theproudhumble.Thewholemoraltextureofthelifeisaltered.Thethoughts,thedesires,theaffectionsaretransformed,andthemanisnolongerwhathehadbeenbefore.Soradicalisthischangethattheapostlecallsthemanthatusedtobetheoldmanandthemanthatnowisthenewman,whichisrenewedinknowledgeaftertheimageofhimthatcreatedhim.
Yetthechangeisdeeperandmorebasicthananyexternalactscanreveal,foritincludesalsothereceptionoflifeofanotherandhigherquality.Theoldman,evenathisbest,possessesonlythelifeofAdam:thenewmanhasthelifeofGod.Andthisismorethanameremannerofspeaking;itisquiteliterallytrue.WhenGodinfuseseternallifeintothespiritofaman,themanbecomesamemberofanewandhigherorderofbeing.
IntheworkingoutofHisredemptiveprocessestheunchangingGodmakesfulluseofchangeandthroughasuccessionofchangesarrivesatpermanenceatlast.IntheBookofHebrewsthisisshownmostclearly.Hetakethawaythefirst,thathemayestablishthesecond,isakindofsummationoftheteachingofthatremarkablebook.Theoldcovenant,assomethingprovisional,wasabolished,andthenewandeverlastingcovenanttookitsplace.
ThebloodofgoatsandbullslostitssignificancewhenthebloodofthePaschalLambwasshed.Thelaw,thealtar,thepriesthood-allweretemporaryandsubjecttochange;nowtheeternallawofGodisengravenforeverontheliving,sensitivestuffofwhichthehumansouliscomposed.Theancientsanctuaryisnomore,butthenewsanctuaryiseternalintheheavensandtheretheSonofGodhasHiseternalpriesthood.
HereweseethatGoduseschangeasalowlyservanttoblessHisredeemedhousehold,butHeHimselfisoutsideofthelawofmutationandisunaffectedbyanychangesthatoccurintheuniverse.
Andallthingsastheychangeproclaim
TheLordeternallythesame.
CharlesWesley
Againthequestionofusearises.Ofwhatusetomeis,theknowledgethatGodisimmutable?someoneasks.Isnotthewholethingmeremetaphysicalspeculation?Somethingthatmightbringacertainsatisfactiontopersonsofaparticulartypeofmindbutcanhavenorealsignificanceforpracticalmen?
IfbypracticalmenwemeanunbelievingmenengrossedinsecularaffairsandindifferenttotheclaimsofChrist,thewelfareoftheirownsouls,ortheinterestsoftheworldtocome,thenforthemsuchabookasthiscanhavenomeaningatall;nor,unfortunately,cananyotherbookthattakesreligionseriously.Butwhilesuchmenmaybeinthemajority,theydonotbyanymeanscomposethewholeofthepopulation.TherearestilltheseventhousandwhohavenotbowedtheirkneestoBaal.ThesebelievetheywerecreatedtoworshipGodandtoenjoyHispresenceforever,andtheyareeagertolearnalltheycanabouttheGodwithwhomtheyexpecttospendeternity.
Inthisworldwheremenforgetus,changetheirattitudetowardusastheirprivateinterestsdictate,andrevisetheiropinionofusfortheslightestcause,isitnotasourceofwondrousstrengthtoknowthattheGodwithwhomwehavetodochangesnot?ThatHisattitudetowardusnowisthesameasitwasineternitypastandwillbeineternitytocome?
WhatpeaceitbringstotheChristianshearttorealizethatourHeavenlyFatherneverdiffersfromHimself.IncomingtoHimatanytimeweneednotwonderwhetherweshallfindHiminareceptivemood.Heisalwaysreceptivetomiseryandneed,aswellastoloveandfaith.HedoesnotkeepofficehoursnorsetasideperiodswhenHewillseenoone.NeitherdoesHechangeHismindaboutanything.Today,thismoment,HefeelstowardHiscreatures,towardbabies,towardthesick,thefallen,thesinful,exactlyasHedidwhenHesentHisonly-begottenSonintotheworldtodieformankind.
GodneverchangesmoodsorcoolsoffinHisaffectionsorlosesenthusiasm.HisattitudetowardsinisnowthesameasitwaswhenHedroveoutthesinfulmanfromtheeastwardgarden,andHisattitudetowardthesinnerthesameaswhenHestretchedforthHishandsandcried,Comeuntome,allyethatlabourandareheavyladen,andIwillgiveyourest.
GodwillnotcompromiseandHeneednotbecoaxed.Hecannotbepersuadedto
alterHisWordnortalkedintoansweringselfishprayer.InalloureffortstofindGod,topleaseHim,tocommunewithHim,weshouldrememberthatallchangemustbeonourpart.IamtheLord,Ichangenot.WehavebuttomeetHisclearlystatedterms,bringourlivesintoaccordwithHisrevealedwill,andHisinfinitepowerwillbecomeinstantlyoperativetowardusinthemannersetforththroughthegospelintheScripturesoftruth.
Fountainofbeing!SourceofGood!
ImmutableThoudostremain!
Norcantheshadowofachange
ObscurethegloriesofThyreign.
Earthmaywithallherpowersdissolve,
IfsuchthegreatCreatorwill;
ButThouforeverartthesame,
IAMisThymemorialstill.
FromWalker’sCollection
Chapter10
TheDivineOmniscience
Lord,Thouknowestallthings;Thouknowestmydownsittingandmineuprisingandartacquaintedwithallmyways.IcaninformTheeofnothinganditisvaintotrytohideanythingfromThee.InthelightofThyperfectknowledgeIwouldbeasartlessasalittlechild.Helpmetoputawayallcare,forThouknowestthewaythatItakeandwhenThouhasttriedmeIshallcomeforthasgold.Amen.
TosaythatGodisomniscientistosaythatHepossessesperfectknowledgeandthereforehasnoneedtolearn.Butitismore:itistosaythatGodhasneverlearnedandcannotlearn.
TheScripturesteachthatGodhasneverlearnedfromanyone.WhohathdirectedtheSpiritoftheLord,orbeinghiscounsellorhathtaughthim?Withwhomtookhecounsel,andwhoinstructedhim,andtaughthiminthepathofjudgment,andtaughthimknowledge,andshewedtoHimthewayofunderstanding?ForwhohathknownthemindoftheLord?orwhohathbeenHiscounsellor?”TheserhetoricalquestionsputbytheprophetandtheapostlePauldeclarethatGodhasneverlearned.
FromthereitisonlyasteptotheconclusionthatGodcannotlearn.CouldGodatanytimeorinanymannerreceiveintoHismindknowledgethatHedidnotpossessandhadnotpossessedfrometernity,Hewouldbeimperfectandlessthanhimself.TothinkofaGodwhomustsitatthefeetofateacher,eventhoughthatteacherbeanarchangeloraseraph,istothinkofsomeoneotherthantheMostHighGod,makerofheavenandearth.
Thisnegativeapproachtothedivineomniscienceis,Ibelieve,quitejustifiedinthecircumstances.SinceourintellectualknowledgeofGodissosmallandobscure,wecansometimesgainconsiderableadvantageinourstruggletounderstandwhatGodislikebythesimpleexpedientofthinkingwhatHeisnotlike.SofarinthisexaminationoftheattributesofGodwehavebeendriventothefreeuseofnegatives.WehaveseenthatGodhadnoorigin,thatHehadnobeginning,thatHerequiresnohelpers,thatHesuffersnochange,andthatinHisessentialbeingtherearenolimitations.
ThismethodoftryingtomakemenseewhatGodislikebyshowingthemwhatHeisnotlikeisusedalsobytheinspiredwritersintheHolyScriptures.Hastthounotknown?hastthounotheard,criesIsaiah,thattheeverlastingGod,theLord,theCreatoroftheendsoftheearth,faintethnot,neitherisweary?AndthatabruptstatementbyGodHimself,IamtheLord,Ichangenot,tellsusmoreaboutthedivineomnisciencethancouldbetoldinaten-thousandwordtreatise,wereallnegativesarbitrarilyruledout.
GodseternaltruthfulnessisstatednegativelybytheapostlePaul,God…cannotlie;andwhentheangelassertedthatwithGodnothingshallbeimpossible,thetwonegativesadduptoaringingpositive.
ThatGodisomniscientisnotonlytaughtintheScriptures,itmustbeinferredalsofromallelsethatistaughtconcerningHim.GodperfectlyknowsHimselfand,beingthesourceandauthorofallthings,itfollowsthatHeknowsallthatcanbeknown.AndthisHeknowsinstantlyandwithafullnessofperfectionthatincludeseverypossibleitemofknowledgeconcerningeverythingthatexistsorcouldhaveexistedanywhereintheuniverseatanytimeinthepastorthatmayexistinthecenturiesoragesyetunborn.
Godknowsinstantlyandeffortlesslyallmatterandallmatters,allmindandeverymind,allspiritandallspirits,allbeingandeverybeing,allcreaturehoodandallcreatures,everypluralityandallpluralities,alllawandeverylaw,allrelations,allcauses,allthoughts,allmysteries,allenigmas,allfeeling,alldesires,everyunutteredsecret,allthronesanddominions,allpersonalities,allthingsvisibleandinvisibleinheavenandinearth,motion,space,time,life,death,good,evil,heaven,andhell.
BecauseGodknowsallthingsperfectly,Heknowsnothingbetterthananyotherthing,butallthingsequallywell.Heneverdiscoversanything.Heisneversurprised,neveramazed.Heneverwondersaboutanythingnor(exceptwhendrawingmenoutfortheirowngood)doesHeseekinformationoraskquestions.
Godisself-existentandself-containedandknowswhatnocreaturecaneverknow-Himself,perfectly.ThethingsofGodknowethnoman,buttheSpiritofGod.OnlytheInfinitecanknowtheinfinite.
InthedivineomniscienceweseesetforthagainsteachothertheterrorandfascinationoftheGodhead.ThatGodknowseachpersonthroughandthrough
canbeacauseofshakingfeartothemanthathassomethingtohide-someunforsakensin,somesecretcrimecommittedagainstmanorGod.TheunblessedsoulmaywelltremblethatGodknowstheflimsinessofeverypretextandneveracceptsthepoorexcusesgivenforsinfulconduct,sinceHeknowsperfectlytherealreasonforit.Thouhastsetouriniquitiesbeforethee,oursecretsinsinthelightofthycountenance.HowfrightfulathingtoseethesonsofAdamseekingtohideamongthetreesofanothergarden.Butwhereshalltheyhide?WhithershallIgofromthyspirit?orwhithershallIfleefromthypresence?…IfIsay,Surelythedarknessshallcoverme;eventhenightshallbelightaboutme.Yea,thedarknesshidethnotfromthee;butthenightshinethastheday.
Andtouswhohavefledforrefugetolayholduponthehopethatissetbeforeusinthegospel,howunutterablysweetistheknowledgethatourHeavenlyFatherknowsuscompletely.Notalebearercaninformonus,noenemycanmakeanaccusationstick;noforgottenskeletoncancometumblingoutofsomehiddenclosettoabashusandexposeourpast;nounsuspectedweaknessinourcharacterscancometolighttoturnGodawayfromus,sinceHeknewusutterlybeforeweknewHimandcalledustoHimselfinthefullknowledgeofeverythingthatwasagainstus.Forthemountainsshalldepart,andthehillsberemoved;butmykindnessshallnotdepartfromthee,neithershallthecovenantofmypeaceberemoved,saiththeLordthathathmercyonthee.
OurFatherinheavenknowsourframeandremembersthatwearedust.Heknewourinborntreachery,andforHisownsakeengagedtosaveus(Isa.48:8-11).HisonlybegottenSon,whenHewalkedamongus,feltourpainsintheirnakedintensityofanguish.Hisknowledgeofourafflictionsandadversitiesismorethantheoretic;itispersonal,warm,andcompassionate.Whatevermaybefallus,Godknowsandcaresasnooneelsecan.
HedothgiveHisjoytoall;
Hebecomesaninfantsmall;
Hebecomesamanofwoe;
Hedothfeelthesorrowtoo.
Thinknotthoucanstsighasigh
AndthyMakerisnotby;
Thinknotthoucanstweepatear
AndthyMakerisnotnear.
O!HegivestousHisjoy
ThatourgriefsHemaydestroy;
Tillourgriefisfledandgone
Hedothsitbyusandmoan.
WilliamBlake
Chapter11
TheWisdomofGod
Thou,OChrist,whowerttemptedinallpointslikeasweare,yetwithoutsin,makeusstrongtoovercomethedesiretobewiseandtobereputedwisebyothersasignorantasourselves.WeturnfromourwisdomaswellasfromourfollyandfleetoThee,thewisdomofGodandthepowerofGod.Amen.
InthisbriefstudyofthedivinewisdomwebeginwithfaithinGod.Followingourusualpattern,weshallnotseektounderstandinorderthatwemaybelieve,buttobelieveinorderthatwemayunderstand.Hence,weshallnotseekforproofthatGodiswise.Theunbelievingmindwouldnotbeconvincedbyanyproofandtheworshippingheartneedsnone.
BlessedbethenameofGodforeverandever,criedDanieltheprophet,forwisdomandmightarehis:…hegivethwisdomuntothewise,andknowledgetothemthatknowunderstanding:herevealeththedeepandsecretthings:heknowethwhatisinthedarkness,andthelightdwellethwithhim.Thebelievingmanrespondstothis,andtotheangelicchant,Blessing,andglory,andwisdom,andthanksgiving,andhonour,andpower,andmight,beuntoourGodforeverandever.ItneveroccurstosuchamanthatGodshouldfurnishproofofHiswisdomorHispower.IsitnotenoughthatHeisGod?
WhenChristiantheologydeclaresthatGodiswise,itmeansvastlymorethanitsaysorcansay,forittriestomakeacomparativelyweakwordbearanincomprehensibleplentitudeofmeaningthatthreatenstotearitapartandcrushitunderthesheerweightoftheidea.Hisunderstandingisinfinite,saysthepsalmist.Itisnothinglessthaninfinitudethattheologyisherelaboringtoexpress.
Sincethewordinfinitedescribeswhatisunique,itcanhavenomodifiers.Wedonotsaymoreuniqueorveryinfinite.Beforeinfinitudewestandsilent.
Thereisindeedasecondary,createdwisdomwhichGodhasgiveninmeasuretoHiscreaturesastheirhighestgoodmayrequire;butthewisdomofanycreatureorofallcreatures,whensetagainsttheboundlesswisdomofGod,ispathetically
small.ForthisreasontheapostleisaccuratewhenhereferstoGodasonlywiseThatis,GodiswiseinHimself,andalltheshiningwisdomofmenorangelsisbutareflectionofthatuncreatedeffulgencewhichstreamsfromthethroneoftheMajestyintheheavens.
TheideaofGodasinfinitelywiseisattherootofalltruth.ItisadatumofbeliefnecessarytothesoundnessofallotherbeliefsaboutGod.BeingwhatHeiswithoutregardtocreatures,GodisofcourseunaffectedbyouropinionsofHim,butourmoralsanityrequiresthatweattributetothemakerandsustaineroftheuniverseawisdomentirelyperfect.Torefusetodothisistobetraytheverythinginusthatdistinguishesusfromthebeasts.
IntheHolyScriptureswisdom,whenusedofGodandgoodmen,alwayscarriesastrongmoralconnotation.Itisconceivedasbeingpure,loving,andgood.Wisdomthatismereshrewdnessisoftenattributedtoevilmen,butsuchwisdomistreacherousandfalse.Thesetwokindsofwisdomareinperpetualconflict.Indeed,whenseenfromtheloftypeakofSinaiorCalvary,thewholehistoryoftheworldisdiscoveredtobebutacontestbetweenthewisdomofGodandthecunningofSatanandfallenmen.Theoutcomeofthecontestisnotindoubt.Theimperfectmustfallbeforetheperfectatlast.GodhaswarnedthatHewilltakethewiseintheirowncraftinessandbringtonothingtheunderstandingoftheprudent.
Wisdom,amongotherthings,istheabilitytodeviseperfectendsandtoachievethoseendsbythemostperfectmeans.Itseestheendfromthebeginning,sotherecanbenoneedtoguessorconjecture.Wisdomseeseverythinginfocus,eachinproperrelationtoall,andisthusabletoworktowardpredestinedgoalswithflawlessprecision.
AllGodsactsaredoneinperfectwisdom,firstforHisownglory,andthenforthehighestgoodofthegreatestnumberforthelongesttime.AndallHisactsareaspureastheyarewise,andasgoodastheyarewiseandpure.NotonlycouldHisactsnotbebetterdone:abetterwaytodothemcouldnotbeimagined.AninfinitelywiseGodmustworkinamannernottobeimproveduponbyfinitecreatures.
OLord,howmanifoldareThyworks!InwisdomhastThoumadethemall.TheearthisfullofThyriches!
Withoutthecreation,thewisdomofGodwouldhaveremainedforeverlockedintheboundlessabyssofthedivinenature.GodbroughtHiscreaturesintobeingthatHemightenjoythemandtheyrejoiceinHim.AndGodsaweverythingthathehadmade,and,behold,itwasverygood.
Manythroughthecenturieshavedeclaredthemselvesunabletobelieveinthebasicwisdomofaworldwhereinsomuchappearstobesowrong.VoltaireinhisCandideintroducesadeterminedoptimist,whomhecallsDr.Pangloss,andintohismouthputsalltheargumentsforthebest-of-all-possible-worldsphilosophy.OfcoursetheFrenchcynictookkeendelightinplacingtheoldprofessorinsituationsthatmadehisphilosophylookridiculous.
ButtheChristianviewoflifeisaltogethermorerealisticthanthatofDr.Panglosswithhissufficientreason.Itisthatthisisnotatthemomentthebestofallpossibleworlds,butonelyingundertheshadowofahugecalamity,theFallofman.
TheinspiredwritersinsistthatthewholecreationnowgroansandtravailsunderthemightyshockoftheFall.Theydonotattempttosupplysufficientreasons;theyassertthatthecreaturewasmadesubjecttovanity,notwillingly,butbyreasonofhimwhohathsubjectedthesameinhope.NoeffortheretojustifythewaysofGodwithmen;justasimpledeclarationoffact.ThebeingofGodisitsowndefense.
Butthereishopeinallourtears.WhenthehourofChriststriumpharrives,thesufferingworldwillbebroughtoutintothegloriouslibertyofthesonsofGod.Formenofthenewcreationthegoldenageisnotpastbutfuture,andwhenitisusheredin,awonderinguniversewillseethatGodhasindeedaboundedtowardusinallwisdomandprudence.InthemeantimewerestourhopeintheonlywiseGod,ourSaviour,andwaitwithpatiencetheslowdevelopmentofHisbenignpurposes.
InspiteoftearsandpainanddeathwebelievethattheGodwhomadeusallisinfinitelywiseandgood.AsAbrahamstaggerednotatthepromisesofGodthroughunbelief,butwasstronginfaith,givingtheglorytoGod,andwasfullypersuadedthatwhatHehadpromisedHewasabletoperform,sodowebaseourhopeinGodaloneandhopeagainsthopetillthedaybreaks.WerestinwhatGodis.Ibelievethatthisaloneistruefaith.Anyfaiththatmustbesupportedbytheevidenceofthesensesisnotrealfaith.Jesussaithuntohim,Thomas,
becausethouhastseenme,thouhastbelieved:blessedaretheythathavenotseen,andyethavebelieved.
Thetestimonyoffaithisthat,nomatterhowthingslookinthisfallenworld,allGodsactsarewroughtinperfectwisdom.TheincarnationoftheEternalSoninhumanfleshwasoneofGodsmightydeeds,andwemaybesurethatthisawesomedeedwasdonewithaperfectionpossibleonlytotheInfinite.Withoutcontroversygreatisthemysteryofgodliness:Godwasmanifestintheflesh.
AtonementtoowasaccomplishedwiththesameflawlessskillthatmarksallofGodsacts.Howeverlittleweunderstanditall,weknowthatChristsexpiatoryworkperfectlyreconciledGodandmenandopenedthekingdomofheaventoallbelievers.Ourconcernisnottoexplainbuttoproclaim.IndeedIwonderwhetherGodcouldmakeusunderstandallthathappenedthereatthecross.AccordingtotheapostlePeternotevenangelsknow,howevereagerlytheymaydesiretolookintothesethings.
Theoperationofthegospel,thenewbirth,thecomingofthedivineSpiritintohumannature,theultimateoverthrowofevil,andthefinalestablishmentofChristsrighteouskingdom-allthesehaveflowedanddoflowoutofGodsinfinitefullnessofwisdom.ThesharpesteyesofthehonestwatcherintheblestcompanyabovecannotdiscoveraflawinthewaysofGodinbringingallthistofruition,norcanthepooledwisdomofseraphimandcherubimsuggesthowanimprovementmightbemadeinthedivineprocedure.Iknowthat,whatsoeverGoddoeth,itshallbeforever:nothingcanbeputtoit,noranythingtakenfromit:andGoddoethit,thatmenshouldfearbeforehim.
ItisvitallyimportantthatweholdthetruthofGodsinfinitewisdomasatenetofourcreed;butthisisnotenough.Wemustbytheexerciseoffaithandbyprayerbringitintothepracticalworldofourday-by-dayexperience.
TobelieveactivelythatourHeavenlyFatherconstantlyspreadsaroundusprovidentialcircumstancesthatworkforourpresentgoodandoureverlastingwell-beingbringstothesoulaveritablebenediction.Mostofusgothroughlifeprayingalittle,planningalittle,jockeyingforposition,hopingbutneverbeingquitecertainofanything,andalwayssecretlyafraidthatwewillmisstheway.Thisisatragicwasteoftruthandnevergivesresttotheheart.
Thereisabetterway.Itistorepudiateourownwisdomandtakeinsteadthe
infinitewisdomofGod.Ourinsistenceuponseeingaheadisnaturalenough,butitisarealhindrancetoourspiritualprogress.GodhaschargedhimselfwithfullresponsibilityforoureternalhappinessandstandsreadytotakeoverthemanagementofourlivesthemomentweturninfaithtoHim.
HereisHispromise:AndIwillbringtheblindbyawaythattheyknewnot;Iwillleadtheminpathsthattheyhavenotknown:Iwillmakedarknesslightbeforethem,andcrookedthingsstraight.ThesethingswillIdountothem,andnotforsakethem.
LetHimleadtheblindfoldonwards,
Loveneedsnottoknow;
ChildrenwhomtheFatherleadeth
Asknotwheretheygo.
Thoughthepathbeallunknown,
Overmoorsandmountainslone.
GerhardTeersteegen
GodconstantlyencouragesustotrustHiminthedark.Iwillgobeforethee,andmakethecrookedplacesstraight:Iwillbreakinpiecesthegatesofbrass,andcutinsunderthebarsofiron:andIwillgivetheethetreasuresofdarkness,andhiddenrichesofsecretplaces,thatthoumayestknowthatI,theLord,whichcalltheebythyname,amtheGodofIsrael.
ItishearteningtolearnhowmanyofGodsmightydeedsweredoneinsecret,awayfromthepryingeyesofmenorangles.
WhenGodcreatedtheheavensandtheearth,darknesswasuponthefaceofthedeep.WhentheEternalSonbecameflesh,Hewascarriedforatimeinthedarknessofthesweetvirginswomb.WhenHediedforthelifeoftheworld,itwasinthedarkness,seenbynooneatthelast.WhenHearosefromthedead,itwas,veryearlyinthemorning.NoonesawHimrise.ItisasifGodweresaying,WhatIamisallthatneedmattertoyou,fortherelieyourhopeandyourpeace.IwilldowhatIwilldo,anditwillallcometolightatlast,buthowIdoitisMy
secret.TrustMe,andbenotafraid.
WiththegoodnessofGodtodesireourhighestwelfare,thewisdomofGodtoplanit,andthepowerofGodtoachieveit,whatdowelack?Surelywearethemostfavoredofallcreatures.
InallourMakersgranddesigns,
Omnipotence,withwisdom,shines;
Hisworks,throughallthiswondrousframe,
DeclarethegloryofHisName.
ThomasBlacklock
Chapter12
TheOmnipotenceofGod
OurHeavenlyFather,wehaveheardTheesay,IamtheAlmightyGod;walkbeforeme,andbethouperfect.ButunlessThoudostenableusbytheexceedinggreatnessofThypowerhowcanwewhoarebynatureweakandsinfulwalkinaperfectway?
GrantthatwemaylearntolayholdontheworkingofthemightypowerwhichwroughtinChristwhenThoudidstraiseHimfromthedeadandsetHimatThineownrighthandintheheavenlyplaces.Amen.
InthetimeofhisvisionJohntheRevelatorheardasitwerethevoiceofagreatmultitudeandasthevoiceofmanywatersandasthevoiceofmightythunderingssoundingthroughouttheuniverse,andwhatthevoiceproclaimedwasthesovereigntyandomnipotenceofGod:Alleluia:fortheLordGodomnipotentreigneth.
Sovereigntyandomnipotencemustgotogether.Onecannotexistwithouttheother.Toreign,Godmusthavepower,andtoreignsovereignly,Hemusthaveallpower.Andthatiswhatomnipotentmeans,havingallpower.ThewordderivesfromtheLatinandisidenticalinmeaningwiththemorefamiliaralmightywhichwehavefromtheAnglo-Saxon.Thislatterwordoccursfifty-sixtimesinourEnglishBibleandisneverusedofanyonebutGod.Healoneisalmighty.
Godpossesseswhatnocreaturecan:anincomprehensibleplenitudeofpower,apotencythatisabsolute.Thisweknowbydivinerevelation,butonceknown,itisrecognizedasbeinginfullaccordwithreason.GrantthatGodisinfiniteandself-existentandweseeatoncethatHemustbeall-powerfulaswell,andreasonkneelstoworshipbeforethedivineomnipotence.
PowerbelongethuntoGod,saysthepsalmist,andPaultheapostledeclaresthatnatureitselfgivesevidenceoftheeternalpoweroftheGodhead(Rom1:20).FromthisknowledgewereasontotheomnipotenceofGodthisway:Godhaspower.SinceGodisalsoinfinite,whateverHehasmustbewithoutlimit;thereforeGodhaslimitlesspower,Heisomnipotent.WeseefurtherthatGodthe
self-existentCreatoristhesourceofallthepowerthereis,andsinceasourcemustbeatleastequaltoanythingthatemanatesfromit,Godisofnecessityequaltoallthepowerthereis,andthisistosayagainthatHeisomnipotent.
GodhasdelegatedpowertoHiscreatures,butbeingself-sufficient,HecannotrelinquishanythingofHisperfectionsand,powerbeingoneofthem,HehasneversurrenderedtheleastiotaofHispower.HegivesbutHedoesnotgiveaway.AllthatHegivesremainsHisownandreturnstoHimagain.ForeverHemustremainwhatHehasforeverbeen,theLordGodomnipotent.
OnecannotlongreadtheScripturessympatheticallywithoutnoticingtheradicaldisparitybetweentheoutlookofmenoftheBibleandthatofmodernmen.Wearetodaysufferingfromasecularizedmentality.WherethesacredwriterssawGod,weseethelawsofnature.Theirworldwasfullypopulated;oursisallbutempty.Theirworldwasaliveandpersonal;oursisimpersonalanddead.Godruledtheirworld;oursisruledbythelawsofnatureandwearealwaysonceremovedfromthepresenceofGod.
AndwhataretheselawsofnaturethathavedisplacedGodinthemindsofmillions?Lawhastwomeanings.Oneisallexternalruleenforcedbyauthority,suchasthecommonruleagainstrobberyandassault.Thewordisalsousedtodenotetheuniformwaythingsactintheuniverse,butthisseconduseofthewordiserroneous.WhatweseeinnatureissimplythepathsGodspowerandwisdomtakethroughcreation.Properlythesearephenomena,notlaws,butwecallthemlawsbyanalogywiththearbitrarylawsofsociety.
ScienceobserveshowthepowerofGodoperates,discoversaregularpatternsomewhereandfixesitasalaw.TheuniformityofGodsactivitiesinHiscreationenablesthescientisttopredictthecourseofnaturalphenomena.ThetrustworthinessofGodsbehaviorinHisworldisthefoundationofallscientifictruth.Uponitthescientistrestshisfaithandfromtherehegoesontoachievegreatandusefulthingsinsuchfieldsasthoseofnavigation,chemistry,agriculture,andthemedicalarts.
Religionontheotherhand,goesbackofthenatureofGod.ItisconcernednotwiththefootprintsofGodalongthepathsofcreation,butwiththeOnewhotreadsthosepaths.ReligionisinterestedprimarilyintheOnewhoisthesourceofallthings,themasterofeveryphenomenon.ForthisOnephilosophyhasvariousnames,themosthorrendousthatIhaveseenbeingthatsuppliedby
RudolphOtto:Theabsolute,thegigantic,never-restingactiveworldstress.TheChristiandelightstorememberthatthisworldstressoncesaidIAMandthegreatestteacherofthemalldirectedHisdisciplestoaddressHimasaperson:Whenyepray,say,OurFatherwhichartinheaven,Hallowedbethyname.ThemenoftheBibleeverywherecommunedwiththisgiganticabsoluteinlanguageaspersonalasspeechaffords,andwithHimprophetandsaintwalkedinaraptureofdevotion,warmintimateanddeeplysatisfying.
Omnipotenceisnotanamegiventothesumofallpower,butanattributeofapersonalGodweChristiansbelievetobetheFatherofourLordJesusChristandofallwhobelieveonHimtolifeeternal.Theworshippingmanfindsthisknowledgeasourceofwonderfulstrengthforhisinnerlife.HisfaithrisestotakethegreatleapupwardintothefellowshipofHimwhocandowhateverHewillstodo,forwhomnothingishardordifficultbecauseHepossessespowerabsolute.
SinceHehasatHiscommandallthepowerintheuniverse,theLordGodomnipotentcandoanythingaseasilyasanythingelse.AllHisactsaredonewithouteffort.Heexpendsnoenergythatmustbereplenished.Hisself-sufficiencymakesitunnecessaryforHimtolookoutsideofHimselfforarenewalofstrength.AllthepowerrequiredtodoallthatHewillstodoliesinundiminishedfullnessinHisowninfinitebeing.
ThePresbyterianpastorA.B.Simpson,approachingmiddleage,brokeninhealth,deeplydespondentandreadytoquittheministry,chancedtohearthesimpleNegrospiritual,
NothingistoohardforJesus,
NomancanworklikeHim.
Itsmessagespedlikeanarrowtohisheart,carryingfaithandhopeandlifeforbodyandsoul.HesoughtaplaceofretirementandafteraseasonalonewithGodarosetohisfeetcompletelycured,andwentforthinfullnessofjoytofoundwhathassincebecomeoneofthelargestforeignmissionarysocietiesintheworld.Forthirty-fiveyearsafterthisencounterwithGod,helaboredprodigiouslyintheserviceofChrist.HisfaithinGodoflimitlesspowergavehimallthestrengthheneededtocarryon.
AlmightyOne!IbendinthedustbeforeThee;
Evensoveiledcherubsbend;
IncalmandstilldevotionIadoreThee,
All-wise,all-presentfriend
Thoutotheearthitsemeraldrobehastgiven,
Orcurtaineditinsow;
Andthebrightsun,andthesoftmooninheaven,
BeforeThypresencebow.
SirJohnBowring
Chapter13
TheDivineTranscendence
OLordourLord,thereisnonelikeTheeinheavenaboveorintheearthbeneath.Thineisthegreatnessandthedignityandthemajesty.AllthatisintheheavenandtheearthisThine;Thineisthekingdomandthepowerandthegloryforever,OGod,andThouartexaltedasheadoverall.Amen.
WhenwespeakofGodastranscendentwemeanofcoursethatHeisexaltedfarabovethecreateduniverse,sofarabovethathumanthoughtcannotimagineit.
Tothinkaccuratelyaboutthis,however,wemustkeepinmindthatfarabovedoesnothererefertophysicaldistancefromtheearthbuttoqualityofbeing.Weareconcernednotwithlocationinspacenorwithmerealtitude,butwithlife.
Godisspirit,andtoHimmagnitudeanddistancehavenomeaning.Toustheyareusefulasanalogiesandillustrations,soGodreferstothemconstantlywhenspeakingdowntoourlimitedunderstanding.ThewordsofGodasfoundinIsaiah,ThussaiththehighandloftyOnethatinhabitetheternity,giveadistinctimpressionofaltitude,butthatisbecausewewhodwellinaworldofmatter,space,andtimetendtothinkinmaterialtermsandcangraspabstractideasonlywhentheyareidentifiedinsomewaywithmaterialthings.Initsstruggletofreeitselffromthetyrannyofthenaturalworld,thehumanheartmustlearntotranslateupwardthelanguagetheSpiritusestoinstructus.
Itisspiritthatgivessignificancetomatterandapartfromspiritnothinghasanyvalueatlast.Alittlechildstraysfromapartyofsightseersandbecomeslostonamountain,andimmediatelythewholementalperspectiveofthemembersofthepartyischanged.Raptadmirationforthegrandeurofnaturegiveswaytoacutedistressforthelostchild.Thegroupspreadsoutoverthemountainsideanxiouslycallingthechildsnameandsearchingeagerlyintoeverysecludedspotwherethelittleonemightchancetobehidden.
Whatbroughtaboutthissuddenchange?Thetree-cladmountainisstilltheretoweringintothecloudsinbreath-takingbeauty,butnoonenoticesitnow.Allattentionisfocuseduponthesearchforacurly-hairedlittlegirlnotyettwoyears
oldandweighinglessthanthirtypounds.Thoughsonewandsosmall,sheismoreprecioustoparentsandfriendsthanallthehugebulkofthevastandancientmountaintheyhadbeenadmiringafewminutesbefore.Andintheirjudgmentthewholecivilizedworldconcurs,forthelittlegirlcanloveandlaughandspeakandpray,andthemountaincannot.Itisthechildsqualityofbeingthatgivesitworth.
YetwemustnotcomparethebeingofGodwithanyotheraswejustnowcomparedthemountainwiththechild.WemustnotthinkofGodashighestinanascendingorderofbeings,startingwiththesinglecellandgoingonupfromthefishtothebirdtotheanimaltomantoangeltocherubtoGod.ThiswouldbetograntGodeminence,evenpre-eminence,butthatisnotenough;wemustgrantHimtranscendenceinthefullestmeaningofthatword.
ForeverGodstandsapart,inlightunapproachable.Heisashighaboveanarchangelasaboveacaterpillar,forthegulfthatseparatesthearchangelfromthecaterpillarisbutfinite,whilethegulfbetweenGodandthearchangelisinfinite.Thecaterpillarandthearchangel,thoughfarremovedfromeachotherinthescaleofcreatedthings,areneverthelessoneinthattheyarealikecreated.Theybothbelonginthecategoryofthat-which-is-not-GodandareseparatedfromGodbyinfinitudeitself.
ReticenceandcompulsionforevercontendwithintheheartthatwouldspeakofGod.
Howshallpollutedmortalsdare
TosingThygloryorThygrace?
BeneathThyfeetwelieafar,
AndseebutshadowsofThyface.
IsaacWatts
YetweconsoleourselveswiththeknowledgethatitisGodHimselfwhoputsitinourheartstoseekHimandmakesitpossibleinsomemeasuretoknowHim,andHeispleasedwitheventhefeeblestefforttomakeHimknown.
Ifsomewatcherorholyonewhohasspenthisgladcenturiesbytheseaoffire
weretocometoearth,howmeaninglesstohimwouldbetheceaselesschatterofthebusytribesofmen.Howstrangetohimandhowemptywouldsoundthe,flat,staleandprofitlesswordsheardintheaveragepulpitfromweektoweek.
AndweresuchaonetospeakonearthwouldhenotspeakofGod?WouldhenotcharmandfascinatehishearerswithrapturousdescriptionsoftheGodhead?Andafterhearinghimcouldweeveragainconsenttolistentoanythinglessthantheology,thedoctrineofGod?Wouldwenotthereafterdemandofthosewhowouldpresumetoteachusthattheyspeaktousfromthemountofdivinevisionorremainsilentaltogether?
Whenthepsalmistsawthetransgressionofthewickedhishearttoldhimhowitcouldbe.ThereisnofearofGodbeforehiseyes,heexplained,andinsosayingrevealedtousthepsychologyofsin.WhenmennolongerfearGod,theytransgressHislawswithouthesitation.ThefearofconsequencesisnotdeterrentwhenthefearofGodisgone.
InoldendaysmenoffaithweresaidtowalkinthefearofGodandtoservetheLordwithfear.HoweverintimatetheircommunionwithGod,howeverboldtheirprayers,atthebaseoftheirreligiouslifewastheconceptionofGodasawesomeanddreadful.ThisideaofGodtranscendentrimsthroughthewholeBibleandgivescolorandtonetothecharacterofthesaints.ThisfearofGodwasmorethananaturalapprehensionofdanger;itwasanonrationaldread,anacutefeelingofpersonalinsufficiencyinthepresenceofGodtheAlmighty.
WhereverGodappearedtomeninBibletimestheresultswerethesame-anoverwhelmingsenseofterroranddismay,awrenchingsensationofsinfulnessandguilt.WhenGodspoke,Abramstretchedhimselfuponthegroundtolisten.WhenMosessawtheLordintheburningbush,hehidhisfaceinfeartolookuponGod.IsaiahsvisionofGodwrungfromhimthecry,Woeisme!andtheconfession,Iamundone;becauseIamamanofuncleanlips.
DanielsencounterwithGodwasprobablythemostdreadfulandwonderfulofthemall.TheprophetlifteduphiseyesandsawOnewhosebodyalsowasliketheberyl,andhisfaceastheappearanceoflightning,andhiseyesaslampsoffire,andhisarmsandhisfeetlikeincolourtopolishedbrass,andthevoiceofhiswordslikethevoiceofamultitude.IDanielalonesawthevisionheafterwardswrote,forthementhatwerewithmesawnotthevision;butagreatquakingfelluponthem,sothattheyfledtohidethemselves.ThereforeIwasleft
alone,andsawthisgreatvision,andthereremainednostrengthinme:formycomelinesswasturnedinmeintocorruption,andIretainednostrength.YetheardIthevoiceofhiswords:andwhenIheardthevoiceofhiswords,thenwasIinadeepsleeponmyface,andmyfacetowardtheground.
TheseexperiencesshowthatavisionofthedivinetranscendencesoonendsallcontroversybetweenthemanandhisGod.ThefightgoesoutofthemanandheisreadywiththeconqueredSaultoaskmeekly,Lord,whatwiltthouhavemetodo?
Conversely,theself-assuranceofmodernChristians,thebasiclevitypresentinsomanyofourreligiousgatherings,theshockingdisrespectshownforthePersonofGod,areevidenceenoughofdeepblindnessofheart.
ManycallthemselvesbythenameofChrist,talkmuchaboutGod,andpraytoHimsometimes,butevidentlydonotknowwhoHeis.ThefearoftheLordisafountainoflife,butthishealingfearistodayhardlyfoundamongChristianmen.
OnceinconversationwithhisfriendEckermann,thepoetGoetheturnedtothoughtsofreligionandspokeoftheabuseofthedivinename.Peopletreatit,hesaid,asifthatincomprehensibleandmosthighBeing,whoisevenbeyondthereachofthought,wereonlytheirequal.OtherwisetheywouldnotsaytheLordGod,thedearGod,thegoodGod.Thisexpressionbecomestothem,especiallytotheclergy,whohaveitdailyintheirmouths,amerephrase,abarrenname,towhichnothoughtwhateverisattached.IftheywereimpressedbyHisgreatnesstheywouldbedumb,andthroughvenerationunwillingtonameHim.
Lordofallbeing,thronedafar,
Theygloryflamesfromsunandstar;
Centerandsoulofeverysphere,
Yettoeachlovinghearthownear!
Lordofalllife,below,above,
Whoselightistruth,whosewarmthislove,
BeforeThyever-blazingthrone
Weasknolusterofourown.
OliverWendellHolmes
Chapter14
GodsOmnipresence
OurFather,weknowthatThouartpresentwithus,butourknowledgeisbutafigureandshadowoftruthandhaslittleofthespiritualsavorandinwardsweetnesssuchknowledgeshouldafford.Thisisforusagreatlossandthecauseofmuchweaknessofheart.HelpustomakeatoncesuchamendmentoflifeasisnecessarybeforewecanexperiencethetruemeaningofthewordsInthypresenceisfulnessofjoy.Amen.
Thewordpresent,ofcourse,meanshere,closeto,nextto,andtheprefixomnigivesituniversality.Godiseverywherehere,closetoeverything,nexttoeveryone.
FewothertruthsaretaughtintheScriptureswithasgreatclarityasthedoctrineofthedivineomnipresence.Thosepassagessupportingthistrutharesoplainthatitwouldtakeconsiderableefforttomisunderstandthem.TheydeclarethatGodisimmanentinHiscreation,thatthereisnoplaceinheavenorearthorhellwheremenmayhidefromHispresence.TheyteachthatGodisatoncefaroffandnear,andthatinHimmenmoveandliveandhavetheirbeing.AndwhatisequallyconvincingisthattheyeverywherecompelustoassumethatGodisomnipresenttoaccountforotherfactstheytellusaboutHim.
Forinstance,theScripturesteachthatGodisinfinite.ThismeansthatHisbeingknowsnolimits.ThereforetherecanbenolimittoHispresence;Heisomnipresent.InHisinfinitudeHesurroundsthefinitecreationandcontainsit.ThereisnoplacebeyondHimforanythingtobe.Godisourenvironmentastheseaistothefishandtheairtothebird.Godisoverallthings,wroteHildebertofLavardin,underallthings;outsideall;withinbutnotenclosed;withoutbutnotexcluded;abovebutnotraisedup;belowbutnotdepressed;whollyabove,presiding;whollybeneath,sustaining;whollywithin,filling.
ThebeliefthatGodispresentwithinHisuniversecannotbeheldinisolation.Ithaspracticalimplicationsinmanyareasoftheologicalthoughtandbearsdirectlyuponcertainreligionsproblems,such,forinstance,asthenatureoftheworld.Thinkingmenofalmosteveryageandculturehavebeenconcernedwiththequestionofwhatkindofworldthisis.Isitamaterialworldrunningbyitself,or
isitspiritualandrunbyunseenpowers?Doesthisinterlockingsystemexplainitselfordoesitssecretlieinmystery?Doesthestreamofexistencebeginandendinitself?Orisitssourcehigherupandfartherbackinthehills?
Christiantheologyclaimstohavetheanswertothesequestions.ItdoesnotspeculatenorofferanopinionbutpresentsitsThussaiththeLordasitsauthority.Itdeclarespositivelythattheworldisspiritual:itoriginatedinspirit,flowsoutofspirit,isspiritualinessence,andismeaninglessapartfromtheSpiritthatinhabitsit.
Thedoctrineofthedivineomnipresencepersonalizesmansrelationtotheuniverseinwhichhefindshimself.Thisgreatcentraltruthgivesmeaningtoalltruthsandimpartssupremevaluetoallhislittlelife.Godispresent,nearhim,nexttohim,andthisGodseeshimandknowshimthroughandthorough.
Atthispointfaithbegins,andwhileitmaygoontoincludeathousandotherwonderfultruths,theseallreferbacktothetruththatGodisandGodishere.HethatcomethtoGod,saystheBookofHebrews,mustbelievethatheisAndChristHimselfsaid,YebelieveinGod,Believealso…WhateveralsomaybeaddedtotheelementarybeliefinGodissuperstructure,andregardlessoftheheightstowhichitmayrise,itcontinuestorestsolidlyupontheoriginalfoundation.
TheteachingsoftheNewTestamentisthatGodcreatedtheworldbytheLogos,theWord,andtheWordisidentifiedwiththesecondpersonoftheGodheadwhowaspresentintheworldevenbeforeHebecameincarnateinhumannature.TheWordmadeallthingsandremainedinHiscreationtoupholdandsustainitandbeatthesametimeamorallightenablingeverymantodistinguishgoodfromevil.Theuniverseoperatesasanorderlysystem,notbyimpersonallawsbutbythecreativevoiceoftheimmanentanduniversalPresence,theLogos.
CanonW.G.HolmesofIndiatoldofseeingHinduworshiperstappingontreesandstonesandwhisperingAreyouthere?Areyouthere?tothegodtheyhopedmightresidewithin.IncompletehumilitytheinstructedChristianbringstheanswertothatquestion.Godisindeedthere.HeisthereasHeishereandeverywhere,notconfinedtotreeorstone,butfreeintheuniverse,neartoeverything,nexttoeveryone,andthroughJesusChristimmediatelyaccessibletoeverylovingheart.Thedoctrineofthedivineomnipresencedecidesthisforever.
ThistruthistotheconvincedChristianasourceofdeepcomfortinsorrowandofsteadfastassuranceinallthevariedexperiencesofhislife.TohimthepracticeofthepresenceofGodconsistsnotofprotectinganimaginaryobjectfromwithinhisownmindandthenseekingtorealizeitspresence;itisrathertorecognizetherealpresenceoftheOnewhomallsoundtheologydeclarestobealreadythere,anobjectiveentity,existingapartfromanyapprehensionofHimonthepartofHiscreatures.Theresultantexperienceisnotvisionarybutreal.
ThecertaintythatGodisalwaysnearus,presentinallpartsofHisworld,closertousthanourthoughts,shouldmaintainusinastateofhighmoralhappinessmostofthetime.Butnotallthetime.Itwouldbelessthanhonesttopromiseeverybelievercontinualjubileeandlessthanrealistictoexpectit.Asachildmaycryoutinpainevenwhenshelteredinitsmothersarms,soaChristianmaysometimesknowwhatitistosufferevenintheconsciouspresenceofGod.Thoughalwayrejoicing,Pauladmittedthathewassometimessorrowful,andforoursakesChristexperiencedstrongcryingandtearsthoughHeneverleftthebosomoftheFather(John1:18).
Butallwillbewell.Inaworldlikethistearshavetheirtherapeuticeffects.ThehealingbalmdistilledfromthegarmentsoftheenfoldingPresencecuresourillsbeforetheybecomefatal.Theknowledgethatweareneveralonecalmsthetroubledseaofourlivesandspeakspeacetooursouls.
ThatGodisherebothScriptureandreasondeclare.Itremainsonlyforustolearntorealizethisinconsciousexperience.AsentencefromaletterbyDr.AllenFleecesumsupthetestimonyofmanyothers:TheknowledgethatGodispresentisblessed,buttofeelHispresenceisnothinglessthansheerhappiness.
GodrevealsHispresence:
LetusnowadoreHim,
AndwithaweappearbeforeHim.
Himalone,Godweown;
HesourLordandSavour,
PraiseHisnameforever.
GodHimselfiswithus:
Whomtheangeliclegions
Servewithaweinheavenlyregions.
GerhardTersteegen
Chapter15
TheFaithfulnessofGod
ItisagoodthingtogivethanksuntoTheeandtosingpraisesuntoThyname,OMostHigh,toshowforthThyloving-kindnessinthemorningandThyfaithfulnesseverynight.AsThySonwhileonearthwasloyaltoThee,HisHeavenlyFather,sonowinheavenHeisfaithfultous,Hisearthlybrethren;andinthisknowledgewepressonwitheveryconfidenthopeforalltheyearsandcenturiesyettocome.Amen.
Asemphasizedearlier,GodsattributesarenotisolatedtraitsofHischaracterbutfacetsofHisunitarybeing.Theyarenotthings-in-themselves;theyare,rather,thoughtsbywhichwethinkofGodaspectsofaperfectwhole,namesgiventowhateverweknowtobetrueoftheGodhead.
Tohaveacorrectunderstandingoftheattributesitisnecessarythatweseethemallasone.Wecanthinkofthemseparatelybuttheycannotbeseparated.AllattributesassignedtoGodcannotdifferinreality,byreasonoftheperfectsimplicityofGod,althoughweindiverswaysuseofGoddiverswords,saysNicholasofCusa.Whence,althoughweattributetoGodsight,hearing,taste,smell,touch,sense,reasonandintellect,andsoforth,accordingtothediverssignificationsofeachword,yetinHimsightisnototherthanhearing,ortasting,orsmelling,ortouching,orfeeling,orunderstanding.Andsoalltheologyissaidtobestablishedinacircle,becauseanyoneofHisattributesisaffirmedofanother.
Instudyinganyattribute,theessentialonenessofalltheattributessoonbecomesapparent.Wesee,forinstance,thatifGodisself-existentHemustbealsoself-sufficient;andifHehaspowerHe,beinginfinite,musthaveallpower.IfHepossessesknowledge,HisinfinitudeassuresusthatHepossessesallknowledge.Similarly,HisimmutabilitypresupposeHisfaithfulness.IfHeisunchanging,itfollowsthatHecouldnotbeunfaithful,sincethatwouldrequireHimtochange.
Anyfailurewithinthedivinecharacterwouldargueimperfectionand,sinceGodisperfect,itcouldnotoccur.ThustheattributesexplaineachotherandprovethattheyarebutglimpesthemindenjoysoftheabsolutelyperfectGodhead.
AllofGodsactsareconsistentwithallofHisattributes.Noattributecontradictstheother,butallharmonizeandblendintoeachotherintheinfiniteabyssoftheGodhead.AllthatGoddoesagreeswithallthatGodisandbeinganddoingareoneinHim.
ThefamiliarpictureofGodasoftentornbetweenHisjusticeandHismercyisaltogetherfalsetothefacts.TothinkofGodasincliningfirsttowardoneandthentowardanotherofHisattributesistoimagineaGodwhoisunsureofHimself,frustratedandemotionallyunstable,whichofcourseistosaythattheoneofwhomwearethinkingisnotthetrueGodatallbutaweak,mentalreflectionofHimbadlyoutoffocus.
GodbeingwhoHeis,cannotceasetobewhatHeis,andbeingwhatHeis,HecannotactoutofcharacterwithHimself.Heisatoncefaithfulandimmutable,soallHiswordsandactsmustbeandremainfaithful.Menbecomeunfaithfuloutofdesire,fear,weakness,lossofinterest,orbecauseofsomestronginfluencefromwithout.ObviouslynoneoftheseforcescanaffectGodinanyway.HeisHisownreasonforallHeisanddoes.Hecannotbecompelledfromwithout,buteverspeaksandactsfromwithinHimselfbyHisownsovereignwillasitpleasesHim.
IthinkitmightbedemonstratedthatalmosteveryheresythathasafflictedthechurchthroughtheyearshasarisenfrombelievingaboutGodthingsthatarenottrue,orfromoveremphasizingcertaintruethingssoastoobscureotherthingsequallytrue.Tomagnifyanyattributetotheexclusionofanotheristoheadstraightforoneofthedismalswampsoftheology;andyetweareallconstantlytemptedtodojustthat.
Forinstance,theBibleteachesthatGodislove,somehaveinterpretedthisinsuchawayasvirtuallytodenythatHeisjust,whichtheBiblealsoteaches.OtherpresstheBiblicaldoctrineofGodsgoodnesssofarthatitismadetocontradicthisholiness.OrtheymakeHiscompassioncanceloutHistruth.StillothersunderstandthesovereigntyofGodinawaythatdestroysoratleastgreatlydiminishesHisgoodnessandlove.
WecanholdacorrectviewoftruthonlybydaringtobelieveeverythingGodhassaidaboutHimself.ItisagraveresponsibilitythatamantakesuponhimselfwhenheseekstoeditoutofGodsself-revelationsuchfeaturesasheinhisignorancedeemsobjectionable.Blindnessinpartmustsurelyfalluponanyofus
presumptuousenoughtoattemptsuchathing.Anditiswhollyuncalledfor.Weneednotfeartoletthetruthstandasitiswritten.Thereisnoconflictamongthedivineattributes.Godsbeingisunitary.HecannotdivideHimselfandactatagiventimefromoneofHisattributeswhiletherestremaininactive.AllthatGodismustaccordwithallthatGoddoes.Justicemustbepresentinmercy,andloveinjudgment.Andsowithallthedivineattributes.
ThefaithfulnessofGodisadatumofsoundtheologybuttothebelieveritbecomesfarmorethanthat:itpassesthroughtheprocessesoftheunderstandingandgoesontobecomenourishingfoodforthesoul.FortheScripturesnotonlyteachtruth,theyshowalsoitsusesformankind.
Theinspiredwritersweremenoflikepassionwithus,dwellinginthemidstoflife.WhattheylearnedaboutGodbecametothemasword,ashield,ahammer;itbecametheirlifemotivation,theirgoodhope,andtheirconfidentexpectation.Fromtheobjectivefactsoftheologytheirheartsmadehowmanythousandjoyousdeductionsandpersonalapplications!TheBookofPsalmsringswithgladthanksgivingforthefaithfulnessofGod.TheNewTestamenttakesupthethemeandcelebratestheloyaltyofGodtheFatherandHisSonJesusChristwhobeforePontiusPilatewitnessedagoodconfession;andintheApocalypseChristisseenastrideawhitehorseridingtowardHistriumph,andthenamesHebearsareFaithfulandTrue.
Christiansong,too,celebratestheattributesofGod,andamongthemthedivinefaithfulness.Inourhymnody,atitsbest,theattributesbecomethewellspringfromwhichflowriversofjoyousmelody.Someoldhymnbooksmayyetbefoundinwhichthehymnshavenonames;alineinitalicsaboveeachoneindicatestheme,andtheworshipingheartcannotbutrejoiceinwhatitfinds:Godsgloriousperfectionscelebrated.Wisdom,Majestyandgoodness.Omniscience.Omnipotenceandimmutability.Glory,mercyandgrace.Thesearefewsamplestakenfromahymnbookpublished1849,buteveryonefamiliarwithChristianhymnodyknowsthatthestreamofsacredsongtakesitsrisefarbackintheearlyyearsoftheChurchsexistence.FromthebeginningbeliefintheperfectionofGodbroughtsweetassurancetobelievingmenandtaughttheagestosing.
UponGodsfaithfulnessrestsourwholehopeoffutureblessedness.OnlyasHeisfaithfulwillHiscovenantsstandandHispromisesbehonoured.OnlyaswehavecompleteassurancethatHeisfaithfulmayweliveinpeaceandlook
forwardwithassurancetothelifetocome.
Everyheartcanmakeitsownapplicationofthisanddrawfromitsuchconclusionsasthetruthsuggestsanditsownneedsbringintofocus.Thetempted,theanxious,thefearful,thediscouragedmayallfindnewhopeandgoodcheerintheknowledgethatoutHeavenlyFatherisfaithful.HewilleverbetruetoHispledgedword.Thehard-pressedsonsofthecovenantmaybesurethatHewillneverremoveHisloving-kindnessfromthemnorsufferHisfaithfulnesstofail.
Happythemanwhosehopesrely
OnIsraelsGod;Hemadethesky,
Andearthandseas,withalltheirtrain;
Histruthforeverstandssecure;
Hesavestheoppressed,Hefeedsthepoor,
AndnoneshallfindHispromisesvain.
IsaacWatts
Chapter16
TheGoodnessofGod
DogoodinThygoodpleasureuntous,OLord.ActtowardusnotaswedeservebutasitbecomesThee,beingtheGodThouart.Soshallwehavenothingtofearinthisworldorinthatwhichistocome.Amen.
Thewordgoodmeanssomanythingstosomanypersonsthatthisbriefstudyofthedivinegoodnessbeginswithadefinition.Themeaningmaybearrivedatonlybytheuseofanumberofsynonyms,goingoutfromandreturningbydifferentpathstothesameplace.
WhenChristiantheologysaysthatGodisgood,itisnotthesameassayingthatHeisrighteousorholy.TheholinessofGodistrumpetedfromtheheavensandre-echoedonearthbysaintsandsageswhereverGodhasrevealedHimselftomen;however,wearenotatthistimeconsideringHisholinessbutHisgoodness,whichisquiteanotherthing.
ThegoodnessofGodisthatwhichdisposesHimtobekind,cordial,benevolent,andfullofgoodwilltowardmen.Heistenderheartedandofquicksympathy,andHisunfailingattitudetowardallmoralbeingsisopen,frank,andfriendly.ByHisnatureHeisinclinedtobestowblessednessandHetakesholypleasureinthehappinessofHispeople.
ThatGodisgoodistaughtorimpliedoneverypageoftheBibleandmustbereceivedasanarticleoffaithasimpregnableasthethroneofGod.ItisafoundationstoneforallsoundthoughtaboutGodandisnecessarytomoralsanity.ToallowthatGodcouldbeotherthangoodistodenythevalidityofallthoughtandendillthenegationofeverymoraljudgment.IfGodisnotgood,thentherecanbenodistinctionbetweenkindnessandcruelty,andheavencanbehellandhell,heaven.
ThegoodnessofGodisthedrivebehindalltheblessingsHedailybestowsuponus.GodcreatedusbecauseHefeltgoodinHisheartandHeredeemedusforthesamereason.
JulianofNorwich,wholivedsixhundredyearsago,sawclearlythattheground
ofallblessednessisthegoodnessofGod.Chaptersixofherincrediblybeautifulandperceptivelittleclassic,RevelationsofDivineLove,begins,ThisshowingwasmadetolearnoursoulstocleavewiselytothegoodnessofGod.ThenshelistssomeofthemightydeedsGodhaswroughtinourbehalf,andaftereachonesheaddsofHisgoodness.
Shesawthatallourreligiousactivitiesandeverymeansofgrace,howeverrightandusefultheymaybe,arenothinguntilweunderstandthattheunmerited,spontaneousgoodnessofGodisbackofallaridunderneathallHisacts.
Divinegoodness,asoneofGodsattributes,isself-caused,infinite,perfect,andeternal.SinceGodisimmutableHenevervariesintheintensityofHisloving-kindness.HehasneverbeenkinderthanHenowis,norwillHeeverbelesskind.HeisnorespecterofpersonsbutmakesHissuntoshineontheevilaswellasonthegood,andsendsHisrainonthejustandontheunjust.ThecauseofHisgoodnessisinHimself,therecipientsofHisgoodnessareallHisbeneficiarieswithoutmeritandwithoutrecompense.
Withthisagreesreason,andthemoralwisdomthatknowsitselfrunstoacknowledgethattherecanbenomeritinhumanconduct,noteveninthepurestandthebest.AlwaysGodsgoodnessisthegroundofourexpectation.Repentance,thoughnecessary,isnotmeritoriousbutaconditionforreceivingthegraciousgiftofpardonwhichGodgivesofHisgoodness.
Prayerisnotitselfmeritorious.ItlaysGodundernoobligationnorputsHimindebttoany.HehearsprayerbecauseHeisgood,andfornootherreason.Norisfaithmeritorious;itissimplyconfidenceinthegoodnessofGod,andthelackofitisareflectionuponGodsholycharacter.
ThewholeoutlookofmankindmightbechangedifwecouldallbelievethatwedwellunderafriendlyskyandthattheGodofheaven,thoughexaltedinpowerandmajestyiseagertobefriendswithus.
Butsinhasmadeustimidandself-conscious,aswellitmight.YearsofrebellionagainstGodhavebredinus,afearthatcannotbeovercomeinaday.Thecapturedrebeldoesnotenterwillinglythepresenceofthekinghehassolongfoughtunsuccessfullytooverthrow.Butifheistrulypenitenthemaycome,trustingonlyntheloving-kindnessofhisLord,andthepastwillnotbeheldagainsthim.MeisterEckhartencouragesustorememberthat,whenwereturnto
God,evenifoursinswereasgreatinnumberasallmankindsputtogether,stillGodwouldnotcountthemagainstus,butwouldhaveasmuchconfidenceinusasifwehadneversinned.
NowsomeonewhoinspiteofhispastsinshonestlywantstobecomereconciledtoGodmaycautiouslyinquire,IfIcometoGod,howwillHeacttowardme?WhatkindofdispositionhasHe?WhatwillIfindHimtobelike?TheansweristhatHewillbefoundtobeexactlylikeJesus.Hethathathseenme,saidJesus,bathseentheFather.
ChristwalkedwithmenonearththatHemightshowthemwhatGodislikeandmakeknownthetruenatureofGodtoaracethathadwrongideasaboutHim.ThiswasonlyoneofthethingsHedidwhilehereintheflesh,butthisHedidwithbeautifulperfection.FromHimwelearnhowGodactstowardpeople.Thehypocritical,thebasicallyinsincere,willfindHimcoldandaloof,astheyoncefoundJesus;butthepenitentwillfindHimmerciful;theself-condemnedwillfindHimgenerousandkind.TothefrightenedHeisfriendly,tothepoorinspiritHeisforgiving,totheignorant,considerate;totheweak,gentle;tothestranger,hospitable.
ByourownattitudeswemaydetermineourreceptionbyHim.ThoughthekindnessofGodisaninfinite,overflowingfountainofcordiality,GodwillnotforceHisattentionuponus.IfwewouldbewelcomedastheProdigalwas,wemustcomeastheProdigalcame;andwhenwesocome,eventhoughthePhariseesandthelegalistssulkwithout,therewillbeafeastofwelcomewithin,andmusicanddancingastheFathertakesHischildagaintoHisheart.ThegreatnessofGodrousesfearwithinus,butHisgoodnessencouragesusnottobeafraidofHim.Tofearandnotbeafraid-thatistheparadoxoffaith.
OGod,myhope,myheavenlyrest,
Myallofhappinessbelow,
Grantmyimportunaterequest,
Tome,tome,Thygoodnessshow;
Thybeatificfacedisplay,
Thebrightnessofeternalday.
Beforemyfaithsenlightenedeyes,
MakeallThygraciousgoodnesspass;
ThygoodnessisthesightIprize:
mightIseeThysmilingface:
Theynatureinmysoulproclaim,
RevealThylove,Thygloriousname.
CharlesWesley
Chapter17
TheJusticeofGod
OurFather,weloveTheeforThyjustice.WeacknowledgethatThyjudgmentsaretrueandrighteousaltogether.ThyjusticeupholdstheorderoftheuniverseandguaranteesthesafetyofallwhoputtheirtrustinThee.WelivebecauseThouartjust-andmerciful.Holy,holy,holy,LordGodAlmighty,righteousinallThywaysandholyinallThyworks.Amen.
IntheinspiredScripturesjusticeandrighteousnessarescarcelytobedistinguishedfromeachother.ThesamewordintheoriginalbecomesinEnglishjusticeorrighteousness,almost,onewouldsuspect,atthewhimofthetranslator.
TheOldTestamentassertsGodsjusticeinlanguageclearandfull,andasbeautifulasmaybefoundanywhereintheliteratureofmankind.WhenthedestructionofSodomwasannounced,Abrahamintercededfortherighteouswithinthecity,remindingGodthatheknewHewouldactlikeHimselfinthehumanemergency.Thatbefarfromtheetodoafterthismanner,toslaytherighteouswiththewicked:andthattherighteousshouldbeasthewicked,thatbefarfromthee:ShallnottheJudgeofalltheearthdoright?
TheconceptofGodheldbythepsalmistsandprophetsofIsraelwasthatofanall-powerfulruler,highandliftedup,reigninginequity.Cloudsanddarknessareroundabouthim:righteousnessandjudgmentarethehabitationofhisthrone.Ofthelong-awaitedMessiahitwasprophesiedthatwhenHecameHeshouldjudgethepeoplewithrighteousnessandthepoorwithjudgment.
Holymenoftendercompassion,outragedbytheinequityoftheworldsrulers,prayed,OLordGod,towhomvengeancebelongeth;aGod,towhomvengeancebelongeth,shewthyself.Liftupthyself,thouJudgeoftheearth:renderarewardtotheproud.Lord,howlongshallthewicked,howlongshallthewickedtriumph?Andthisistobeunderstoodnotasapleaforpersonalvengeancebutasalongingtoseemoralequityprevailinhumansociety.
SuchmenasDavidandDanielacknowledgedtheirownunrighteousnessincontrasttotherighteousnessofGod,andasresulttheirpenitentialprayers
gainedgreatpowerandeffectiveness.OLord,righteousnessbelongethuntothee,butuntousconfusionoffaces.Andwhenthelong-withheldjudgmentofGodbeginstofallupontheworld,Johnseesthevictorioussaintsstandinguponaseaofglassmingledwithfire.IntheirhandstheyholdharpsofGod;thesongtheysingisthesongofMosesandtheLamb,andthethemeoftheirsongisthedivinejustice.
Greatandmarvellousarethyworks,LordGodAlmighty;justandtruearethyways,thouKingofsaints.Whoshallnotfearthee,OLord,andglorifythyname?forthoualoneartholy:forallnationsIshallcomeandworshipbeforethee;forthyjudgmentsaremademanifest.
Justiceembodiestheideaofmoralequity,andiniquityistheexactopposite;itisinequity,theabsenceofequalityfromhumanthoughtsandacts.Judgmentistheapplicationofequitytomoralsituationsandmaybefavorableorunfavorableaccordingtowhethertheoneunderexaminationhasbeenequitableorin-equitableinheartandconduct.
Itissometimessaid,JusticerequiresGodtodothis,referringtosomeactweknowHewillperform.Thisisanerrorofthinkingaswellasofspeaking,foritpostulatesaprincipleofjusticeoutsideofGodwhichcompelsHimtoactinacertainway.Ofcoursethereisnosuchprinciple.IftherewereitwouldbesuperiortoGod,foronlyasuperiorpowercancompelobedience.
ThetruthisthatthereisnotandcanneverbeanythingoutsideoffthenatureofGodwhichcanmoveHimintheleastdegree.AllGodsreasonscomefromwithinHisuncreatedbeing.NothinghasenteredthebeingofGodfrometernity,nothinghasbeenremoved,andnothinghasbeenchanged.
Justice,whenusedofGod,isanamewegivetothewayGodis,nothingmore;andwhenGodactsjustlyHeisnotdoingsotoconformtoanindependentcriterion,butsimplyactinglikeHimselfinagivensituation.Asgoldisanelementinitselfandcanneverchangenorcompromisebutisgoldwhereveritisfound,soGodisGod,always,only,fullyGod,andcanneverbeotherthanHeis.EverythingintheuniverseisgoodtothedegreeitconformstothenatureofGodandevilasitfailstodoso.GodisHisownself-existentprincipleofmoralequity,andwhenHesentencesevilmenorrewardstherighteous,HesimplyactslikeHimselffromwithin,uninfluencedbyanythingthatisnotHimself.
Allthisseems,butonlyseems,todestroythehopeofjustificationforthereturningsinner.TheChristianphilosopherandsaint,Anselm,ArchbishopofCanterbury,soughtasolutiontotheapparentcontradictionbetweenthejusticeandthemercyofGod.HowdostThousparethewicked,heinquiredofGod,ifThouartalljustandsupremelyjust?ThenhelookedstraightatGodfortheanswer,forheknewthatitliesinwhatGodis.
Anselmsfindingsmaybeparaphrasedthisway:Godsbeingisunitary;itisnotcomposedofanumberofpartsworkingharmoniously,butsimplyone.ThereisnothinginHisjusticewhichforbidstheexerciseofHismercy.TothinkofGodaswesometimesthinkofacourtwhereakindlyjudge,compelledbylawsentencesamantodeathwithtearsandapologies,istothinkinamannerwhollyunworthyofthetrueGod.Godisneveratcross-purposeswithHimself.NoattributeofGodisinconflictwithanother.
GodscompassionflowsoutofHisgoodness,andgoodnesswithoutjusticeisnotgoodness.GodsparesusbecauseHeisgood,butHecouldnotbegoodifHewerenotjust.WhenGodpunishesthewicked,Anselmconcludes,itisjustbecauseitisconsistentwiththeirdeserts;andwhenHesparesthewickeditisjustbecauseitiscompatiblewithHisgoodness;soGoddoeswhatbecomesHimasthesupremelygoodGod.Thisisreasonseekingtounderstand,notthatitmaybelievebutbecauseitalreadybelieves.
AsimplerandmorefamiliarsolutionfortheproblemofhowGodcanbejustandstilljustifytheunjustisfoundintheChristiandoctrineofredemption.Itisthat,throughtheworkofChristinatonement,justiceisnotviolatedbutsatisfiedwhenGodsparesasinner.Redemptivetheologyteachesthatmercydoesnotbecomeeffectivetowardamanuntiljusticehasdoneitswork.ThejustpenaltyforsinwasexactedwhenChristourSubstitutediedforusonthecross.Howeverunpleasantthismaysoundtotheearofthenaturalman,ithaseverbeensweettotheearoffaith.Millionshavebeenmorallyandspirituallytransformedbythismessage,havelivedlivesofgreatmoralpower,anddiedatlastpeacefullytrustinginit.
Thismessageofjusticedischargedandmercyoperativeismorethanapleasanttheologicaltheory;itannouncesafactmadenecessarybyourdeephumanneed.Becauseofoursinweareallundersentenceofdeath,ajudgmentwhichresultedwhenjusticeconfrontedourmoralsituation.Wheninfiniteequityencounteredourchronicandwillfulinequity,therewasviolentwarbetweenthetwo,awar
whichGodwonandmustalwayswin.ButwhenthepenitentsinnercastshimselfuponChristforsalvation,themoralsituationisreversed.Justiceconfrontsthechangedsituationandpronouncesthebelievingmanjust.
ThusjusticeactuallygoesovertothesideofGodstrustingchildren.ThisisthemeaningofthosedaringwordsoftheapostleJohn:Ifweconfessoursins,heisfaithfulandjusttoforgiveusoursins,andtocleanseusfromallunrighteousness.ButGodsjusticestandsforeveragainstthesinnerinutterseverity.ThevagueandtenuoushopethatGodistookindtopunishtheungodlyhasbecomeadeadlyopiatefortheconsciencesofmillions.Ithushestheirfearsandallowsthemtopracticeallpleasantformsofiniquitywhiledeathdrawseverydaynearerandthecommandtorepentgoesunregarded.Asresponsiblemoralbeingswedarenotsotriflewithoureternalfuture.
Jesus,Thybloodandrighteousness
Mybeautyare,mygloriousdress;
Midstflamingworlds,inthesearrayed,
WithjoyshallIliftupmyhead.
BoldshallIstandinThygreatday;
Forwhoaughttomychargeshalllay?
FullyabsolvedthroughtheseIam
Fromsinandfear,fromguiltandshame.
CountN.L.vonZinzendorf
Chapter18
TheMercyofGod
HolyFather,Thywisdomexcitesouradmiration,Thypowerfillsuswithfear,Thyomnipresenceturnseveryspotofearthintoholyground;buthowshallwethankTheeenoughforThymercywhichcomesdowntothelowestpartofourneedtogiveusbeautyforashes,theoilofjoyformourning,andforthespiritofheavinessagarmentofpraise?
WeblessandmagnifyThymercy,throughJesusChristourLord.Amen.
Whenthroughthebloodoftheeverlastingcovenantwechildrenoftheshadowsreachatlastourhomeinthelight,weshallhaveathousandstringstoourharps,butthesweetestmaywellbetheonetunedtosoundforthmostperfectlythemercyofGod.
Forwhatrightwillwehavetobethere?DidwenotbyoursinstakepartinthatunholyrebellionwhichrashlysoughttodethronethegloriousKingofcreation?Anddidwenotintimespastwalkaccordingtothecourseofthisworld,accordingtotheevilprinceofthepoweroftheair,thespiritthatnowworksinthesonsofdisobedience?Anddidwenotallatonceliveinthelustsofourflesh?Andwerewenotbynaturethechildrenofwrath,evenasothers?
ButwewhowereonetimeenemiesandalienatedinourmindsthroughwickedworksshallthenseeGodfacetofaceandHisnameshallbeinourforeheads.Wewhoearnedbanishmentshallenjoycommunion;wewhodeservethepainsofhellshallknowtheblissofheaven.AndallthroughthetendermercyofourGod,wherebytheDayspringfromonhighhathvisitedus.
WhenallThymercies,OmyGod,Myrisingsoulsurveys,
Transportedwiththeview,ImlostInwonder,love,andpraise.
JosephAddison
MercyisanattributeofGod,aninfiniteandinexhaustibleenergywithinthedivinenaturewhichdisposesGodtobeactivelycompassionate.BoththeOld
andtheNewTestamentsproclaimthemercyofGod,buttheOldhasmorethanfourtimesasmuchtosayaboutitastheNew.
WeshouldbanishfromourmindsforeverthecommonbuterroneousnotionthatjusticeandjudgmentcharacterizetheGodofIsrael,whilemercyandgracebelongtotheLordoftheChurch.ActuallythereisinprinciplenodifferencebetweentheOldTestamentandtheNew.
IntheNewTestamentScripturesthereisafullerdevelopmentofredemptivetruth,butoneGodspeaksinbothdispensations,andwhatHespeaksagreeswithwhatHeis.WhereverandwheneverGodappearstomen,HeactslikeHimself.WhetherintheGardenofEdenortheGardenofGethsemane,Godismercifulaswellasjust.
HehasalwaysdealtinmercywithmankindandwillalwaysdealinjusticewhenHismercyisdespised.ThusHedidinantediluviantimes;thuswhenChristwalkedamongmen;thusHeisdoingtodayandwillcontinuealwaystodofornootherreasonthanthatHeisGod.IfwecouldrememberthatthedivinemercyisnotatemporarymoodbutanattributeofGodseternalbeing,wewouldnolongerfearthatitwillsomedayceasetobe.
Mercyneverbegantobe,butfrometernitywas;soitwillneverceasetobe.Itwillneverbemoresinceitisitselfinfinite;anditwillneverbelessbecausetheinfinitecannotsufferdiminution.NothingthathasoccurredorwilloccurinheavenorearthorhellcanchangethetendermerciesofourGod.ForeverHismercystands,aboundless,overwhelmingimmensityofdivinepityandcompassion.
AsjudgmentisGodsjusticeconfrontingmoralinequity,somercyisthegoodnessofGodconfrontinghumansufferingandguilt.Weretherenoguiltintheworld,nopainandnotears,Godwouldyetbeinfinitelymerciful;butHismercymightwellremainhiddeninHisheart,unknowntothecreateduniverse.
Novoicewouldberaisedtocelebratethemercyofwhichnonefelttheneed.Itishumanmiseryandsinthatcallforththedivinemercy.
Kyrieeleison!Christeeleison!theChurchhaspleadedthroughthecenturies;butifImistakenotIhearinthevoiceofherpleadinganoteofsadnessanddespair.Herplaintivecry,sooftenrepeatedinthattoneofresigneddejection,compelsonetoinferthatsheisprayingforaboonsheneveractuallyexpectstoreceive.
ShemaygoondutifullytosingofthegreatnessofGodandtorecitethecreedtimesbeyondnumber,butherpleaformercysoundslikeaforlornhopeandnomore,asifmercywereaheavenlygifttobelongedforbutneverreallyenjoyed.
Couldourfailuretocapturethepurejoyofmercyconsciouslyexperiencedbetheresultofourunbelieforourignorance,orboth?ItwassoonceinIsrael.Ibearthemrecord,PaultestifiedofIsrael,thattheyhaveazealofGod,butnotaccordingtoknowledge.Theyfailedbecausetherewasatleastonethingtheydidnotknow,onethingthatwouldhavemadethedifference.
AndofIsraelinthewildernesstheHebrewwritersays,Butthewordpreacheddidnotprofitthem,notbeingmixedwithfaithinthemthatheardit.ToreceivemercywemustfirstknowthatGodismerciful.AnditisnotenoughtobelievethatHeonceshowedmercytoNoahorAbrahamorDavidandwillagainshowmercyinsomehappyfutureday.WemustbelievethatGodsmercyisboundless,freeand,throughJesusChristourLord,availabletousnowinourpresentsituation.
Wemaypleadformercyforalifetimeinunbelief,andattheendofourdaysbestillnomorethansadlyhopefulthatweshallsomewhere,sometime,receiveit.Thisistostarvetodeathjustoutsidethebanquethallinwhichwehavebeenwarmlyinvited.
Orwemay,ifwewill,layholdonthemercyofGodbyfaith,enterthehall,andsitdownwiththeboldandavidsoulswhowillnotallowdiffidenceandunbelieftokeepthemfromthefeastoffatthingspreparedforthem.
Arise,mysoul,arise;
Shakeoffthyguiltyfears;
ThebleedingSacrifice
Inmybehalfappears:
BeforethethronemySuretystands,MynameiswrittenonHishands.
MyGodisreconciled;
HispardoningvoiceIhear:
HeownsmeforHischild;
Icannolongerfear:
WithconfidenceInowdrawnigh,AndFather,Abba,Father,cry.
CharlesWesley
Chapter19
TheGraceofGod
Godofallgrace,whosethoughtstowardusareeverthoughtsofpeaceandnotofevil,giveusheartstobelievethatweareacceptedintheBeloved;andgiveusmindstoadmirethatperfectionofmoralwisdomwhichfoundawaytopreservetheintegrityofheavenandyetreceiveusthere.WeareastonishedandmarvelthatonesoholyanddreadshouldinviteusintoThybanquetinghouseandcauselovetobethebanneroverus.Wecannotexpressthegratitudewefeel,butlookThouonourheartsandreaditthere.
Amen.
InGodmercyandgraceareone;butastheyreachustheyareseenastwo,relatedbutnotidentical.
AsmercyisGodsgoodnessconfrontinghumanmiseryandguilt,sograceisHisgoodnessdirectedtowardhumandebtanddemerit.ItisbyHisgracethatGodimputesmeritwherenonepreviouslyexistedanddeclaresnodebttobewhereonehadbeenbefore.
GraceisthegoodpleasureofGodthatinclinesHimtobestowbenefitsupontheundeserving.Itisaself-existentprincipleinherentinthedivinenatureandappearstousasaself-causedpropensitytopitythewretched,sparetheguilty,welcometheoutcast,andbringintofavorthosewhowerebeforeunderjustdisapprobation.ItsusetoussinfulmenistosaveusandtomakeussittogetherinheavenlyplacestodemonstratetotheagestheexceedingrichesofGodskindnesstousinChristJesus.
WebenefiteternallybyGodsbeingjustwhatHeis.BecauseHeiswhatHeis,Heliftsupourheadsoutoftheprisonhouse,changesourprisongarmentsforroyalrobes,andmakesustoeatbreadcontinuallybeforeHimallthedaysofourlives.
GracetakesitsrisefarbackintheheartofGod,intheawfulandincomprehensibleabyssofHisholybeing;butthechannelthroughwhichitflowsouttomenisJesusChrist,crucifiedandrisen.TheapostlePaul,who
beyondallothersistheexponentofgraceinredemption,neverdisassociatesGodsgracefromGodscrucifiedSon.Alwaysinhisteachingsthetwoarefoundtogether,organicallyoneandinseparable.
AfullandfairsummationofPaulsteachingonthissubjectisfoundinhisEpistletotheEphesians:HavingpredestinatedusuntotheadoptionofchildrenbyJesusChristtohimself,accordingtothegoodpleasureofhiswill,tothepraiseofthegloryofhisgrace,whereinhehathmadeusacceptedinthebeloved.Inwhomwehaveredemptionthroughhisblood,theforgivenessofsins,accordingtotherichesofhisgrace.
JohnalsointheGospelthatbearshisnameidentifiesChristasthemediumthroughwhichgracereachesmankind:ForthelawwasgivenbyMoses,butgraceandtruthcamebyJesusChrist.
Butrighthereitiseasytomissthepathandgofarastrayfromthetruth;andsomehavedonethis.Theyhavecompelledthisversetostandbyitself,unrelatedtootherScripturesbearingonthedoctrineofgrace,andhavemadeitteachthatMosesknewonlylawandChristknowsonlygrace.SotheOldTestamentismadetobeabookoflawandtheNewTestamentabookofgrace.Thetruthisquiteotherwise.
ThelawwasgiventomenthroughMoses,butitdidnotoriginatewithMoses.IthadexistedintheheartofGodfrombeforethefoundationoftheworld.OnMountSinaiitbecamethelegalcodeforthenationofIsrael;butthemoralprinciplesitembodiesareeternal.ThereneverwasatimewhenthelawdidnotrepresentthewillofGodformankindnoratimewhentheviolationofitdidnotbringitsownpenalty,thoughGodwaspatientandsometimeswinkedatwrongdoingbecauseoftheignoranceofthepeople.Paulsclose-knitargumentsinthethirdandfifthchaptersofhisEpistletotheRomansmakethisveryclear.
ThespringofChristianmoralityistheloveofChrist,notthelawofMoses;neverthelesstherehasbeennoabrogationoftheprinciplesofmoralitycontainedinthelaw.Noprivilegedclassexistsexemptfromthatrighteousnesswhichthelawenjoins.
TheOldTestamentisindeedabookoflaw,butnotoflawonly.BeforethegreatfloodNoahfoundgraceintheeyesoftheLord,andafterthelawwasgivenGodsaidtoMoses,Thouhastfoundgraceinmysight.Andhowcoulditbe
otherwise?GodwillalwaysbeHimself,andgraceisanattributeofHisholybeing.HecannomorehideHisgracethanthesuncanhideitsbrightness.Menmayfleefromthesunlighttodarkandmustycavesoftheearth,buttheycannotputoutthesun.SomenmayinanydispensationdespisethegraceofGod,buttheycannotextinguishit.
HadtheOldTestamenttimesbeentimesofstern,unbendinglawalonethewholecomplexionoftheearlyworldwouldhavebeenvastlylesscheerfulthanwefindittobeintheancientwritings.TherecouldhavebeennoAbraham,friendofGod;noDavid,manafterGodsownheart;noSamuel,noIsaiah,noDaniel.TheeleventhchapterofHebrews,thatWestminsterAbbeyofthespirituallygreatoftheOldTestament,wouldstanddarkandtenantless.GracemadesainthoodpossibleinOldTestamentdaysjustasitdoestoday.
Noonewaseversavedotherthanbygrace,fromAbeltothepresentmoment.SincemankindwasbanishedfromtheeastwardGarden,nonehaseverreturnedtothedivinefavorexceptthroughthesheergoodnessofGod.AndwherevergracefoundanymanitwasalwaysbyJesusChrist.GraceindeedcamebyJesusChrist,hutitdidnotwaitforHisbirthinthemangerorHisdeathonthecrossbeforeitbecameoperative.
ChrististheLambslainfromthefoundationoftheworld.ThefirstmaninhumanhistorytobereinstatedinthefellowshipofGodcamethroughfaithinChrist.InoldentimesmenlookedforwardtoChristsredeemingwork;inlatertimestheygazebackuponit,butalwaystheycameandtheycomebygrace,throughfaith.
WemustkeepinmindalsothatthegraceofGodisinfiniteandeternal.Asithadnobeginning,soitcanhavenoend,andbeinganattributeofGod,itisasboundlessasinfinitude.
Insteadofstrainingtocomprehendthisasatheologicaltruth,itwouldbebetterandsimplertocompareGodsgracewithourneed.Wecanneverknowtheenormityofoursin,neitherisitnecessarythatweshould.Whatwecanknowisthatwheresinabounded,gracedidmuchmoreabound.
Toaboundinsin:thatistheworstandthemostwecouldorcando.Thewordabounddefinesthelimitofourfiniteabilities;andalthoughwefeelouriniquitiesriseoveruslikeamountain,themountain,nevertheless,hasdefinable
boundaries:itissolarge,sohigh,itweighsonlythiscertainamountandnomore.ButwhoshalldefinethelimitlessgraceofGod?Itsmuchmoreplungesourthoughtsintoinfinitudeandconfoundsthemthere.AllthanksbetoGodforgraceabounding.
WewhofeelourselvesalienatedfromthefellowshipofGodcannowraiseourdiscouragedheadsandlookup.ThroughthevirtuesofChristsatoningdeaththecauseofourbanishmenthasbeenremoved.WemayreturnastheProdigalreturned,andbewelcome.AsweapproachtheGarden,ourhomebeforetheFall,theflamingswordiswithdrawn.Thekeepersofthetreeoflifestandasidewhentheyseeasonofgraceapproaching.
Return,Owanderer,nowreturn,
AndseekthyFathersface;
Thosenewdesireswhichintheeburn
WerekindledbyHisgrace.
Return,Owanderer,nowreturn,
Andwipethefallingtear:
ThyFathercalls,-nolongermourn;
Tisloveinvitestheenear
WilliamBencoCollyer
Chapter20
TheLoveofGod
OurFatherwhichartinheaven,weThychildrenareoftentroubledinmind,hearingwithinusatoncetheaffirmationsoffaithandtheaccusationsofconscience.WearesurethatthereisinusnothingthatcouldattracttheloveofOneasholyandasjustasThouart.YetThouhastdeclaredThineunchangingloveforusinChristJesus.IfnothinginuscanwinThylove,nothingintheuniversecanpreventTheefromlovingus.
Thyloveisuncausedandundeserved.ThouartThyselfthereasonforthelovewherewithweareloved.Helpustobelievetheintensity,theeternityofthelovethathasfoundus.Thenlovewillcastoutfear;andourtroubledheartswillbeatpeace,trustingnotinwhatwearebutinwhatThouhastdeclaredThyselftobe.Amen.
TheapostleJohn,bytheSpirit,wrote,Godislove,andsomehavetakenhiswordstobeadefinitivestatementconcerningtheessentialnatureofGod.Thisisagreaterror.Johnwasbythosewordsstatingafact,huthewasnotofferingadefinition.
EquatinglovewithGodisamajormistakewhichhasproducedmuchunsoundreligiousphilosophyandhasbroughtforthaspateofvaporouspoetrycompletelyoutofaccordwiththeHolyScripturesandaltogetherofanotherclimatefromthatofhistoricChristianity.
HadtheapostledeclaredthatloveiswhatGodis,wewouldbeforcedtoinferthatGodiswhatloveis.IfliterallyGodislove,thenliterallyloveisGod,andweareinalldutyboundtoworshiploveastheonlyGodthereis.IfloveisequaltoGodthenGodisonlyequaltolove,andGodandloveareidentical.ThuswedestroytheconceptofpersonalityinGodanddenyoutrightallHisattributessaveone,andthatonewesubstituteforGod.
TheGodwehaveleftisnottheGodofIsrael;HeisnottheGodandFatherofourLordJesusChrist;HeisnottheGodoftheprophetsandtheapostles;HeisnottheGodofthesaintsandreformersandmartyrs,noryettheGodofthe
theologiansandhymnistsofthechurch.
ForoursoulssakewemustlearntounderstandtheScriptures.Wemustescapetheslaveryofwordsandgiveloyaladherencetomeaningsinstead.Wordsshouldexpressideas,notoriginatethem.WesaythatGodislove;wesaythatGodislight;wesaythatChrististruth;andwemeanthewordstobeunderstoodinmuchthesamewaythatwordsareunderstoodwhenwesayofaman,Heiskindnessitself.Bysosayingwearenotstatingthatkindnessandthemanareidentical,andnooneunderstandsourwordsinthatsense.
ThewordsGodislovemeanthatloveisanessentialattributeofGod.LoveissomethingtrueofGodbutitisnotGod.ItexpressesthewayGodisinHisunitarybeing,asdothewordsholiness,justice,faithfulnessandtruth.BecauseGodisimmutableHealwaysactslikeHimself,andbecauseHeisaunityHeneversuspendsoneofHisattributesinordertoexerciseanother.
FromGodsotherknownattributeswemaylearnmuchaboutHislove.Wecanknow,forinstance,thatbecauseGodisself-existent,Hislovehadnobeginning;becauseHeiseternal,Hislovecanhavenoend;becauseHeisinfinite,ithasnolimit;becauseHeisholy,itisthequintessenceofallspotlesspurity;becauseHeisimmense,Hisloveisanincomprehensiblyvast,bottomless,shorelessseabeforewhichwekneelinjoyfulsilenceandfromwhichtheloftiesteloquenceretreatsconfusedandabashed.
YetifwewouldknowGodandforotherssaketellwhatweknow,wemusttrytospeakofHislove.AllChristianshavetried,butnonehaseverdoneitverywell.Icannomoredojusticetothatawesomeandwonder-filledthemethanachildcangraspastar.Still,byreachingtowardthestarthechildmaycallattentiontoitandevenindicatethedirectiononemustlooktoseeit.So,asIstretchmyhearttowardthehigh,shillingloveofGod,someonewhohasnotbeforeknownaboutitmaybeencouragedtolookupandhavehope.
Wedonotknow,andwemayneverknow,whatloveis,butwecanknowhowitmanifestsitself,andthatisenoughforushere.Firstweseeitshowingitselfasgoodwill.Lovewillsthegoodofallandneverwillsharmoreviltoany.ThisexplainsthewordsoftheapostleJohn:Thereisnofearinlove;butperfectlovecastethoutfear.
Fearisthepainfulemotionthatarisesatthethoughtthatwemaybeharmedor
madetosuffer.Thisfearpersistswhilewearesubjecttothewillofsomeonewhodoesnotdesireourwell-being.Themomentwecomeundertheprotectionofoneofgoodwill,feariscastout.Achildlostinacrowdedstoreisfulloffearbecauseitseesthestrangersarounditasenemies.Initsmothersarmsamomentlateralltheterrorsubsides.Theknowngoodwillofthemothercastsoutfear.
Theworldisfullofenemies,andaslongaswearesubjecttothepossibilityofharmfromtheseenemies,fearisinevitable.Theefforttoconquerfearwithoutremovingthecausesisaltogetherfutile.Theheartiswiserthantheapostlesoftranquillity.Aslongasweareinthehandsofchance,aslongaswelookforhopetothelawofaverages,aslongaswemusttrustforsurvivaltoourabilitytooutthinkoroutmaneuvertheenemy,wehaveeverygoodreasontobeafraid.Andfearhathtorment.
ToknowthatloveisofGodandtoenterintothesecretplaceleaninguponthearmoftheBeloved-thisandonlythiscancastoutfear.Letamanbecomeconvincedthatnothingcanharmhimandinstantlyforhimallfeargoesoutoftheuniverse.Thenervousreflex,thenaturalrevulsiontophysicalpainmaybefeltsometimes,butthedeeptormentoffearisgoneforever.
GodisloveandGodissovereign.HislovedisposesHimtodesireoureverlastingwelfareandHissovereigntyenablesHimtosecureit.Nothingcanhurtagoodman.
Thebodytheymaykill:
Godstruthabidethstill
Hiskingdomisforever.
MartinLuther
GodslovetellsusthatHeisfriendlyandHisWordassuresusthatHeisourfriendandwantsustobeHisfriends.NomanwithatraceofhumilitywouldfirstthinkthatheisafriendofGod;buttheideadidnotoriginatewithmen.Abrahamwouldneverhavesaid,IamGodsfriend,butGodHimselfsaidthatAbrahamwasHisfriend.ThedisciplesmightwellhavehesitatedtoclaimfriendshipwithChrist,butChristsaidtothem,Yeremyfriends.
Modestymaydemuratsorashathought,butaudaciousfaithdarestobelievethe
WordandclaimfriendshipwithGod.WedoGodmorehonorbybelievingwhatHehassaidaboutHimselfandhavingthecouragetocomeboldlytothethroneofgracethanbyhidinginself-conscioushumilityamongthetreesofthegarden.
Loveisalsoanemotionalidentification.Itconsidersnothingitsownbutgivesallfreelytotheobjectofitsaffection.Weseethisconstantlyinourworldofmenandwomen.Ayoungmother,thinandtired,nursesatherbreastaplumpandhealthybaby,andfarfromcomplaining,themothergazesdownatherchildwitheyesshiningwithhappinessandpride.Actsofself-sacrificearecommontolove.ChristsaidofHimself,Greaterlovehathnomanthanthis,thatamanlaydownhislifeforhisfriends.
ItisastrangeandbeautifuleccentricityofthefreeGodthatHehasallowedHishearttobeemotionallyidentifiedwithmen.Self-sufficientasHeis,HewantsourloveandwillnotbesatisfiedtillHegetsit.FreeasHeis,HehasletHisheartbeboundtousforever.Hereinislove,notthatwelovedGod,butthathelovedus,andsenthisSontobethepropitiationforoursins.ForoursoulissospeciallylovedofHimthatishighest,saysJulianofNorwich,thatitoverpasseththeknowingofallcreatures:thatistosay,thereisnocreaturethatismadethatmayknowhowmuchandhowsweetlyandhowtenderlyourMakerlovethus.AndthereforewemaywithgraceandHishelpstandinspiritualbeholding,witheverlastingmarvelofthishigh,overpassing,inestimableLovethatAlmightyGodhathtousofHisGoodness.
Anothercharacteristicofloveisthatittakespleasureinitsobject.GodenjoysHiscreation.TheapostleJohnsaysfranklythatGodspurposeincreationwasHisownpleasure.GodishappyinHisloveforallthatHehasmade.WecannotmissthefeelingofpleasureinGodsdelightedreferencestoHishandiwork.Psalm104isadivinelyinspirednaturepoemalmostrhapsodicinitshappiness,andthedelightofGodisfeltthroughoutit.
ThegloryoftheLordshallendureforever:theLordshallrejoiceinhisworks.
TheLordtakespeculiarpleasureinHissaints.ManythinkofGodasfarremoved,gloomyandmightilydispleasedwitheverything,gazingdowninamoodoffixedapathyuponaworldinwhichHehaslongagolostinterest;butthisistothinkerroneously.True,Godhatessinandcanneverlookwithpleasureuponiniquity,butwheremenseektodoGodswillHerespondsingenuineaffection.
ChristinHisatonementhasremovedthebartothedivinefellowship.NowinChristallbelievingsoulsareobjectsofGodsdelight.TheLordthyGodinthemidstoftheeismighty;hewillsave,hewillrejoiceovertheewithjoy;hewillrestinhislove,hewilljoyovertheewithsinging.
AccordingtotheBookofJob,Godsworkofcreationwasdonetomusicalaccompaniment.Wherewastthou,Godasks,whenIlaidthefoundationsoftheearth…whenthemorningstarssangtogether,andallthesonsofGodshoutedforjoy?JohnDrydencarriedtheideaabitfurtherthanthis,butnot,perhaps,toofartobetrue:
Fromharmony,fromheavenlyharmony,
Thisuniversalframebegan:
Whennatureunderneathaheap
Ofjarringatomslay,
Andcouldnotheaveherhead,
Thetunefulvoicewasheardfromhigh,
Arise,yemorethandead!
Thencold,andhot,andmoist,anddry,
Inordertotheirstationsleap,
AndMusicspowerobey.
Fromharmony,fromheavenlyharmony,
Thisuniversalframebegan:
Fromharmonytoharmony
Throughallthecompassofthenotesitran,
ThediapasonclosingfullinMan.
FromASongforSt.CeciliasDay
Musicisbothanexpressionandasourceofpleasure,andthepleasurethatispurestandnearesttoGodisthepleasureoflove.
Hellisaplaceofnopleasurebecausethereisnolovethere.Heavenisfullofmusicbecauseitistheplacewherethepleasuresofholyloveabound.Earthistheplacewherethepleasuresoflovearemixedwithpain,forsinishere,andhateandillwill.Insuchaworldasourslovemustsometimessuffer,asChristsufferedingivingHimselfforHisown.Butwehavethecertainpromisethatthecausesofsorrowwillfinallybeabolishedandthenewfaceenjoyforeveraworldofselfless,perfectlove.
Itisofthenatureoflovethatitcannotliequiescent.Itisactive,creative,andbenign.Godcommendethhislovetowardus,inthat,whileweweresinners,Christdiedforus.Godsolovedtheworld,thathegavehisonlybegottenSon.Soitmustbewhereloveis;lovemustevergivetoitsown,whateverthecost.Theapostlesrebukedtheyoungchurchessharplybecauseafewoftheirmembershadforgottenthisandhadallowedtheirlovetospenditselfinpersonalenjoymentwhiletheirbrethrenwereinneed.Butwhosohaththisworldsgood,andseethhisbrotherhaveneed,andshuttethuphisbowelsofcompassionfromhim,howdwelleththeloveofGodinhim?SowrotethatJohnwhohasbeenknowntothecenturiesastheBeloved.
TheloveofGodisoneofthegreatrealitiesoftheuniverse,apillaruponwhichthehopeoftheworldrests.Butitisapersonal,intimatething,too.Goddoesnotlovepopulations,Helovespeople.Helovesnotmasses,butmen.Helovesusallwithamightylovethathasnobeginningandcanhavenoend.
InChristianexperiencethereisahighlysatisfyinglovecontentthatdistinguishesitfromallotherreligionsandelevatesittoheightsfarbeyondeventhepurestandnoblestphilosophy.Thislovecontentismorethanathing;itisGodHimselfinthemidstofHisChurchsingingoverHispeople.TrueChristianjoyistheheartsharmoniousresponsetotheLordssongoflove.
ThouhiddenloveofGod,whoseheight,
Whosedepthunfathomed,nomanknows,
IseefromfarThybeauteouslight,
InlyIsighforThyrepose;
Myheartispained,norcanitbe
AtresttillitfindsrestinThee.
GerhardTersteegen
Chapter21
TheHolinessofGod
GlorybetoGodonhigh.WepraiseThee,weblessThee,weworshipThee,forThygreatglory.Lord,IutteredthatIunderstoodnot;thingstoowonderfulformewhichIknewnot.IheardofTheebythehearingoftheear,butnowmineeyeseethTheeandIabhormyselfindustandashes.OLord,Iwilllaymyhanduponmymouth.OncehaveIspoken,yea,twice,butIwillproceednofurther.
ButwhileIwasmusingthefireburned.Lord,ImustspeakofThee,lestbymysilenceIoffendagainstthegenerationofThychildren.Behold,Thouhaschosenthefoolishthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthewise,andtheweakthingsoftheworldtoconfoundthemighty.OLord,forsakemenot.LetmeshowforthThystrengthuntothisgenerationandThypowertoeveryonethatistocome.RaiseupprophetsandseersinThyChurchwhoshallmagnifyThygloryandthroughThinealmightySpiritrestoretoThypeopletheknowledgeoftheholy.Amen.
Themoralshocksufferedbyusthroughourmightybreakwiththehighwillofheavenhasleftusallwithapermanenttraumaaffectingeverypartofournature.Thereisdiseasebothinourselvesandinourenvironment.
ThesuddenrealizationofhispersonaldepravitycamelikeastrokefromheavenuponthetremblingheartofIsaiahatthemomentwhenhehadhisrevolutionaryvisionoftheholinessofGod.Hispain-filledcry,Woeisme!forIamundone;becauseIamamanofuncleanlips,andIdwellinthemidstofapeopleofuncleanlips:formineeyeshaveseentheKing,theLordofhosts,expressesthefeelingofeverymanwhohasdiscoveredhimselfunderhisdisguisesandhasbeenconfrontedwithaninwardsightoftheholywhitenessthatisGod.Suchanexperiencecannotbutbeemotionallyviolent.
UntilwehaveseenourselvesasGodseeus,wearenotlikelytobemuchdisturbedoverconditionsaroundusaslongastheydonotgetsofaroutofhandastothreatenourcomfortablewayoflife.Wehavelearnedtolivewithunholinessandhavecometolookuponitasthenaturalandexpectedthing.Wearenotdisappointedthatwedonotfindalltruthinourteachersoffaith,fulnessinourpoliticiansorcompletehonestyinourmerchantsorfulltrustworthinessin
ourfriendsThatwemaycontinuetoexistwemakesuchlawsasarenecessarytoprotectusfromourfellowmenandletitgoatthat.
NeitherthewriternorthereaderofthesewordsisqualifiedtoappreciatetheholinessofGod.Quiteliterallyanewchannelmustbecutthroughthedesertofourmindstoallowthesweetwatersoftruththatwillhealourgreatsicknesstoflowin.Wecannotgraspthetruemeaningofthedivineholinessbythinkingofsomeoneorsomethingverypureandthenraisingtheconcepttothehighestdegreewearecapableof.
Godsholinessisnotsimplythebestweknowinfinitelybettered.Weknownothinglikethedivineholiness.Itstandsapart,unique,unapproachable,incomprehensibleandunattainable.Thenaturalmanisblindtoit.HemayfearGodspowerandadmireHiswisdom,butHisholinesshecannotevenimagine.
OnlytheSpiritoftheHolyOnecanimparttothehumanspirittheknowledgeoftheholy.Yetaselectricpowerflowsonlythroughaconductor,sotheSpiritflowsthroughtruthandmustfindsamemeasureoftruthinthemindbeforeHecanilluminatetheheart.Faithwakesatthevoiceoftruthbutrespondstonoothersound.Faithcomethbyhearing,andhearingbythewordofGod.TheologicalknowledgeisthemediumthroughwhichtheSpiritflowsintothehumanheart,yettheremustbehumblepenitenceintheheartbeforetruthcanproducefaith.TheSpiritofGodistheSpiritoftruth.ItispossibletohavesametruthinthemindwithouthavingtheSpiritintheheart,butitisneverpossibletohavetheSpiritapartfromtruth.
Inhispenetratingstudyoftheholy,RudolfOttomakesastrongcaseforthepresenceinthehumanmindofsomethinghenamesthenuminous,bywhich,apparently,hemeansasensethatthereisintheworldavague,incomprehensibleSomething,theMysteriumTremendum,theawesomeMystery,surroundingandenfoldingtheuniverse.ThisisanIt,anawfulThing,andcanneverbeintellectuallyconceived,onlysensedandfeltinthedepthsofthehumanspirit.Itremainsasapermanentreligiousinstinct,afeelingforthatunnamed,undiscoverablePresencethatrunsquicksilverlikethroughcreationsveinsandsometimesstunsthemindbyconfrontingitwithasupernatural,suprarationalmanifestationofitself.Themanthusconfrontedisbroughtdownandoverwhelmedandcanonlytrembleandbesilent.
Thisnonrationaldread,thisfeelingfortheuncreatedMysteryintheworld,is
backofallreligion.ThepurereligionoftheBible,nolessthanthebasestanimismofthenakedtribesman,existsonlybecausethisbasicinstinctispresentinhumannature.Ofcourse,thedifferencebetweenthereligionofanIsaiahoraPaulandthatoftheanimististhatonehastruthandtheotherhasnot;hehasonlythenuminousinstinct.HefeelsafteranunknownGod,butanIsaiahandaPaulhavefoundthetrueGodthroughHisownself-disclosureintheinspiredScriptures.
Thefeelingformystery,evenfortheGreatMystery,isbasicinhumannatureandindispensabletoreligiousfaith,butitisnotenough.Becauseofitmenmaywhisper,ThatawfulThing,buttheydonotcry,MineHolyOne!IntheHebrewandChristianScripturesGodcarriesforwardHisself-revelationandgivesitpersonalityandmoralcontent.ThisawfulPresenceisshowntobenotaThingbutamoralBeingwithallthewarmqualitiesofgenuinepersonality.Morethanthis,Heistheabsolutequintessenceofmoralexcellence,infinitelyperfectinrighteousness,purity,rectitude,andincomprehensibleholiness.AndinallthisHeisuncreated,self-sufficientandbeyondthepowerofhumanthoughttoconceiveorhumanspeechtoutter.
Throughtheself-revelationofGodintheScripturesandtheilluminationoftheHolySpirittheChristiangainseverythingandlosesnothing.TohisideaofGodthereareaddedthetwinconceptsofpersonalityandmoralcharacter,butthereremainstheoriginalsenseofwonderandfearinthepresenceoftheworld-fillingMystery.Todayhisheartmayleapupwiththehappycry,AbbaFather,myLordandmyGod!TomorrowhemaykneelwiththedelightedtremblingtoadmireandadoretheHighandLoftyOnethatinhabitetheternity.
HolyisthewayGodis.TobeholyHedoesnotconformtoastandard.Heisthatstandard.Heisabsolutelyholywithaninfinite,incomprehensiblefullnessofpuritythatisincapableofbeingotherthanitis.BecauseHeisholy,Hisattributesareholy;thatis,whateverwethinkofasbelongingtoGodmustbethoughtofasholy.GodisholyandHehasmadeholinessthemoralconditionnecessarytothehealthofHisuniverse.Sinstemporarypresenceintheworldonlyaccentsthis.Whateverisholyishealthy;evilisamoralsicknessthatmustendultimatelyindeath.Theformationofthelanguageitselfsuggeststhis,theEnglishwordholyderivingfromtheAnglo-Saxonhalig,hal,meaning,well,whole.
SinceGodsfirstconcernforHisuniverseisitsmoralhealth,thatis,itsholiness,
whateveriscontrarytothisisnecessarilyunderHiseternaldispleasure.TopreserveHiscreationGodmustdestroywhateverwoulddestroyit.WhenHearisestoputdowniniquityandsavetheworldfromirreparablemoralcollapse,Heissaidtobeangry.Everywrathfuljudgmentinthehistoryoftheworldhasbeenaholyactofpreservation.TheholinessofGod,thewrathofGod,andthehealthofthecreationareinseparablyunited.GodswrathisHisutterintoleranceofwhateverdegradesanddestroys.Hehatesiniquityasamotherhatesthepoliothattakethelifeofherchild.
Godisholywithanabsoluteholinessthatknowsnodegrees,andthisHecannotimparttoHiscreatures.ButthereisarelativeandcontingentholinesswhichHeshareswithangelsandseraphiminheavenandwithredeemedmenonearthastheirpreparationforheaven.ThisholinessGodcananddoesimparttoHischildren.Hesharesitwiththembyimputationandbyimpartation,andbecauseHehasmadeitavailabletothemthroughthebloodoftheLamb,Herequiresitofthem.ToIsraelfirstandlatertoHisChurchGodspoke,saying,Beyeholy;forIamholy.HedidnotsayBeyeasholyasIamholy,forthatwouldbetodemandofusabsoluteholiness,somethingthatbelongstoGodalone.
BeforetheuncreatedfireofGodsholinessangelsveiltheirfaces.Yea,theheavensarenotclean,andthestarsarenotpureinHissight.NohonestmancansayIamholy,butneitherisanyhonestmanwillingtoignorethesolemnwordsoftheinspiredwriter,Followpeacewithallmen,andholiness,withoutwhichnomanshallseetheLord.
Caughtinthisdilemma,whatareweChristianstodo?WemustlikeMosescoverourselveswithfaithandhumilitywhilewestealaquicklookattheGodwhomnomancanseeandlive.ThebrokenandthecontriteheartHewillnotdespise.WemusthideourunholinessinthewoundsofChristasMoseshidhimselfinthecleftoftherockwhilethegloryofGodpassedby.WemusttakerefugefromGodinGod.AboveallwemustbelievethatGodseesusperfectinHisSonwhileHedisciplinesandchastensandpurgesusthatwemaybepartakersofHisholiness.
Byfaithandobedience,byconstantmeditationontheholinessofGod,bylovingrighteousnessandhatinginiquity,byagrowingacquaintancewiththeSpiritofholiness,wecanacclimateourselvestothefellowshipofthesaintsonearthandprepareourselvesfortheeternalcompanionshipofGodandthesaintsabove.Thus,astheysaywhenhumblebelieversmeet,wewillhaveaheaventogoto
heavenin.
HowdreadareThineeternalyears,
OeverlastingLord!
Byprostratespiritsdayandnight
Incessantlyadored!
Howbeautiful,howbeautiful
ThesightofTheemustbe,
Thineendlesswisdom,boundlesspower,
Andawfulpurity!
OhhowIfearThee,livingGod!
Withdeepest,tenderestfears,
AndworshipTheewithtremblinghope,
Andpenitentialtears.
FrederickW.Faber
Chapter22
TheSovereigntyofGod
WhowouldstnotfearThee,OLordGodofHosts,mosthighandmostterrible?ForThouartLordalone.Thouhasmadeheavenandtheheavenofheavens,theearthandallthingsthataretherein,andinThyhandisthesoulofeverylivingthing,Thousittestkingupontheflood;yea,Thousittestkingforever.Thouartagreatkingoveralltheearth.Thouartclothedwithstrength;honorandmajestyarebeforeThee.
Amen.
GodssovereigntyistheattributebywhichHerulesHisentirecreation,andtobesovereignGodmustbeall-knowing,all-powerful,andabsolutelyfree.Thereasonsarethese:
Werethereevenonedatumofknowledge,howeversmall,unknowntoGod,Hisrulewouldbreakdownatthatpoint.TobeLordoverallthecreation,Hemustpossessallknowledge.AndwereGodlackingoneinfinitesimalmodicumofpower,thatlackwouldendHisreignandundoHiskingdom;thatonestrayatomofpowerwouldbelongtosomeoneelseandGodwouldbealimitedrulerandhencenotsovereign.
Furthermore,HissovereigntyrequiresthatHebeabsolutelyfree,whichmeanssimplythatHemustbefreetodowhateverHewillstodoanywhereatanytimetocarryoutHiseternalpurposeineverysingledetailwithoutinterference.WereHelessthanfreeHemustbelessthansovereign.
Tograsptheideaofunqualifiedfreedomrequiresavigorouseffortofthemind.Wearenotpsychologicallyconditionedtounderstandfreedomexceptinitsimperfectforms.Ourconceptsofithavebeenshapedinaworldwherenoabsolutefreedomexists.Hereeachnaturalobjectisdependentuponmanyotherobjects,andthatdependencelimitsitsfreedom.
WordsworthatthebeginningofhisPreluderejoicedthathehadescapedthecitywherehehadlongbeenpentupandwasnowfree,freeasabirdtosettlewhereIwill.Buttobefreeabirdisnottobefreeatall.Thenaturalistknowsthatthe
supposedlyfreebirdactuallylivesitsentirelifeinacagemadeoffears,hungers,andinstincts;itislimitedbyweatherconditions,varyingairpressures,thelocalfoodsupply,predatorybeasts,andthatstrangestofallbonds,theirresistiblecompulsiontostaywithinthesmallplotoflandandairassigneditbybirdlandcomity.Thefreestbirdis,alongwitheveryothercreatedthing,heldinconstantcheckbyanetofnecessity.OnlyGodisfree.
GodissaidtobeabsolutelyfreebecausenooneandnothingcanhinderHimorcompelHimorstopHim.HeisabletodoasHepleasesalways,everywhere,forever.TobethusfreemeansalsothatHemustpossessuniversalauthority.ThatHehasunlimitedpowerweknowfromtheScripturesandmaydeducefromcertainotherofHisattributes.ButwhataboutHisauthority?
EventodiscusstheauthorityofAlmightyGodseemsabitmeaningless,andtoquestionitwouldbeabsurd.CanweimaginetheLordGodofHostshavingtorequestpermissionofanyoneortoapplyforanythingtoahigherbody?TowhomwouldGodgoforpermission?WhoishigherthantheHighest?WhoismightierthantheAlmighty?WhosepositionantedatesthatoftheEternal?AtwhosethronewouldGodkneel?WhereisthegreateronetowhomHemustappeal?ThussaiththeLordtheKingofIsrael,andhisredeemertheLordofhosts;Iamthefirst,andIamthelast;andbesidemethereisnoGod.
ThesovereigntyofGodisafactwellestablishedintheScripturesanddeclaredaloudbythelogicoftruth.Butadmittedlyitraisescertainproblemswhichhavenottothistimebeensatisfactorilysolved:Thesearemainlytwo.ThefirstisthepresenceinthecreationofthosethingswhichGodcannotapprove,suchasevil,pain,anddeath.IfGodissovereignHecouldhavepreventedtheircomingintoexistence.WhydidHenotdoso?
TheZend-Avesta,sacredbookofZoroastrianism,loftiestofthegreatnon-Biblicalreligions,gotaroundthisdifficultyneatlyenoughbypostulatingatheologicaldualism.ThereweretwoGods,OrmazdandAhriman,andthesebetweenthemcreatedtheworld.ThegoodOrmazdmadeallgoodthingsandtheevilAhrimanmadetherest.Itwasquitesimple.Ormazdhadnosovereigntytoworryabout,andapparentlydidnotmindsharinghisprerogativeswithanother.
FortheChristianthisexplanationwillnotdo,foritflatlycontradictsthetruthtaughtsoemphaticallythroughoutthewholeBible,thatthereisoneGodandthatHealonecreatedtheheavenandtheearthandallthethingsthataretherein.
GodsattributesaresuchastomakeimpossibletheexistenceofanotherGod.TheChristianadmitsthathedoesnothavethefinalanswertotheriddleofpermittedevil.Butheknowswhatthatanswerisnot.AndheknowsthattheZend-Avestadoesnothaveiteither.
Whileacompleteexplanationoftheoriginofsineludesus,thereareafewthingswedoknow.InHissovereignwisdomGodhaspermittedeviltoexistincarefullyrestrictedareasofHiscreation,akindoffugitiveoutlawwhoseactivitiesaretemporaryandlimitedinscope.IndoingthisGodhasactedaccordingtoHisinfinitewisdomandgoodness.Morethanthatnooneknowsatpresent;andmorethanthatnooneneedstoknow.ThenameofGodissufficientguaranteeoftheperfectionofHisworks.
Anotherrealproblemcreatedbythedoctrineofthedivinesovereigntyhastodowiththewillofman.IfGodrulesHisuniversebyHissovereigndecrees,howisitpossibleformantoexercisefreechoice?Andifhecannotexercisefreedomofchoice,howcanhebeheldresponsibleforhisconduct?Ishenotamerepuppetwhoseactionsaredeterminedbyabehind-the-scenesGodwhopullsthestringsasitpleasesHim?
TheattempttoanswerthesequestionshasdividedtheChristianchurchneatlyintotwocampswhichhavebornethenamesoftwodistinguishedtheologians,JacobusArminiusandJohnCalvin.MostChristiansarecontenttogetintoonecamportheotheranddenyeithersovereigntytoGodorfreewilltoman.Itappearspossible,however,toreconcilethesetwopositionswithoutdoingviolencetoeither,althoughtheeffortthatfollowsmayprovedeficienttopartisansofonecamportheother.
Hereismyview:Godsovereignlydecreedthatmanshouldbefreetoexercisemoralchoice,andmanfromthebeginninghasfulfilledthatdecreebymakinghischoicebetweengoodandevil.Whenhechoosestodoevil,hedoesnottherebycountervailthesovereignwillofGodbutfulfillsit,inasmuchastheeternaldecreedecidednotwhichchoicethemanshouldmakebutthatheshouldbefreetomakeit.IfinHisabsolutefreedomGodhaswilledtogivemanlimitedfreedom,whoistheretostayHishandorsay,Whatdoestthou?ManswillisfreebecauseGodissovereign.AGodlessthansovereigncouldnotbestowmoralfreedomuponHiscreatures.Hewouldbeafraidtodoso.
Perhapsahomelyillustrationmighthelpustounderstand.Anoceanlinerleaves
NewYorkboundforLiverpool.Itsdestinationhasbeendeterminedbyproperauthorities.Nothingcanchangeit.Thisisatleastafaintpictureofsovereignty.
Onboardthelinerareseveralscoresofpassengers.Thesearenotinchains,neitheraretheiractivitiesdeterminedforthembydecree.Theyarecompletelyfreetomoveaboutastheywill.Theyeat,sleep,play,loungeaboutonthedeck,read,talk,altogetherastheyplease;butallthewhilethegreatlineriscarryingthemsteadilyonwardtowardapredeterminedport.
Bothfreedomandsovereigntyarepresenthereandtheydonotcontradicteachother.Soitis,Ibelieve,withmansfreedomandthesovereigntyofGod.ThemightylinerofGodssovereigndesignkeepsitssteadycourseovertheseaofhistory.GodmovesundisturbedandunhinderedtowardthefulfilmentofthoseeternalpurposeswhichHepurposedinChristJesusbeforetheworldbegan.Wedonotknowallthatisincludedinthosepurposes,butenoughhasbeendisclosedtofurnishuswithabroadoutlineofthingstocomeandtogiveusgoodhopeandfirmassuranceoffuturewell-being.
WeknowthatGodwillfulfileverypromisemadetotheprophets;weknowthatsinnerswillsomedaybecleansedoutoftheearth;weknowthataransomedcompanywillenterintothejoyofGodandthattherighteouswillshineforthinthekingdomoftheirFather;weknowthatGodsperfectionswillyetreceiveuniversalacclamation,thatallcreatedintelligenceswillownJesusChristLordtothegloryofGodtheFather,thatthepresentimperfectorderwillbedoneaway,andanewheavenandanewearthbeestablishedforever.
TowardallthisGodismovingwithinfinitewisdomandperfectprecisionofaction.NoonecandissuadeHimfromHispurposes;nothingturnHimasidefromHisplans.SinceHeisomniscient,therecanbenounforeseencircumstances,noaccidents.AsHeissovereign,therecanbenocountermandedorders,nobreakdowninauthority;andasHeisomninpotent,therecanbenowantofpowertoachieveHischosenends.GodissufficientuntoHimselfforallthesethings.
Inthemeanwhilethingsarenotassmoothasthisquickoutlinemightsuggest.Themysteryofiniquitydothalreadywork.WithinthebroadfieldofGodssovereign,permissivewillthedeadlyconflictofgoodwithevilcontinueswithincreasingfury.GodwillyethaveHiswayinthewhirlwindandthestorm,butthestormandthewhirlwindarehere,andasresponsiblebeingswemustmake
ourchoiceinthepresentmoralsituation.
CertainthingshavebeendecreedbythefreedeterminationofGod,andoneoftheseisthelawofchoiceandconsequences.GodhasdecreedthatallwhowillinglycommitthemselvestoHisSonJesusChristintheobedienceoffaithshallreceiveeternallifeandbecomesonsofGod.Hehasalsodecreedthatallwholovedarknessandcontinueinrebellionagainstthehighauthorityofheavenshallremaininastateofspiritualalienationandsuffereternaldeathatlast.
Reducingthewholemattertoindividualterms,wearriveatsomevitalandhighlypersonalconclusions.InthemoralconflictnowragingarounduswhoeverisonGodssideisonthewinningsideandcannotlose;whoeverisontheothersideisonthelosingsideandcannotwin.Herethereisnochance,nogamble.Thereisfreedomtochoosewhichsideweshallbeonbutnofreedomtonegotiatetheresultsofthechoiceonceitismade.BythemercyofGodwemayrepentawrongchoiceandaltertheconsequencesbymakinganewandrightchoice.Beyondthatwecannotgo.
ThewholematterofmoralchoicecentersaroundJesusChrist.Christstateditplainly:Hethatisnotwithmeisagainstme,andNomancomethuntotheFather,butbyme.Thegospelmessageembodiesthreedistinctelements:anannouncement,acommand,andacall.Itannouncesthegoodnewsofredemptionaccomplishedinmercy;itcommandsallmeneverywheretorepentanditcallsallmentosurrendertothetermsofgracebybelievingonJesusChristasLordandSaviour.
Wemustallchoosewhetherwewillobeythegospelorturnawayinunbeliefandrejectitsauthority.Ourchoiceisourown,buttheconsequencesofthechoicehavealreadybeendeterminedbythesovereignwillofGod,andfromthisthereisnoappeal.
TheLorddescendedfromabove,
Andbowedtheheavensmosthigh,
AndunderneathHisfeetHecast
Thedarknessofthesky.
Oncherubimandseraphim
FullroyallyHerode,
Andonthewingsofmightywinds
Cameflyingallabroad.
Hesatsereneuponthefloods,
Theirfurytorestrain;
AndHe,assovereignLordandKing,
Forevermoreshallreign.
Psalmparaphrase,
byThomasSternhold
Chapter23
TheOpenSecret
Whenviewedfromtheperspectiveofeternity,themostcriticalneedofthishourmaywellbethattheChurchshouldbebroughtbackfromherlongBabyloniancaptivityandthenameofGodbeglorifiedinheragainasofold.YetwemustnotthinkoftheChurchasananonymousbody,amysticalreligiousabstraction.WeChristiansaretheChurchandwhateverwedoiswhattheChurchisdoing.Thematter,therefore,isforeachofusapersonalone.AnyforwardstepintheChurchmustbeginwiththeindividual.
WhatcanweplainChristiansdotobringbackthedepartedglory?Istheresomesecretwemaylearn?Isthereaformulaforpersonalrevivalwecanapplytothepresentsituation,toourownsituation?Theanswertothesequestionsisyes.
Yettheanswermayeasilydisappointsomepersons,foritisanythingbutprofound.Ibringnoesotericcryptogram,nomysticcodetobepainfullydeciphered.Iappealtonohiddenlawoftheunconscious,nooccultknowledgemeantonlyforthefew.Thesecretisanopenonewhichthewayfaringmanmayread.Itissimplytheoldandevernewcounsel:AcquaintthyselfwithGod.ToregainherlostpowertheChurchmustseeheavenopenedandhaveatransformingvisionofGod.
ButtheGodwemustseeisnottheutilitarianGodwhoishavingsucharunofpopularitytoday,whosechiefclaimtomensattentionisHisabilitytobringthemsuccessintheirvariousundertakingsandwhoforthatreasonisbeingcajoledandflatteredbyeveryonewhowantsafavor.TheGodwemustlearntoknowistheMajestyintheheavens,GodtheFatherAlmighty,Makerofheavenandearth,theonlywiseGod,ourSaviour.Heitisthatsittethuponthecircleoftheearth,whostretchethouttheheavensasacurtainandspreadeththemoutasatenttodwellin,whobringethoutHisstarryhostbynumberandcalleththemallbynamethroughthegreatnessofHispower,whoseeththeworksofmanasvanity,whoputtethnoconfidenceinprincesandasksnocounselofkings.
KnowledgeofsuchaBeingcannotbegainedbystudyalone.Itcomesbyawisdomthenaturalmanknowsnothingof,neithercanknow,becauseitis
spirituallydiscerned.ToknowGodisatoncetheeasiestandthemostdifficultthingintheworld.Itiseasybecausetheknowledgeisnotwonbyhardmentaltoil,butissomethingfreelygiven.Assunlightfallsfreeontheopenfield,sotheknowledgeoftheholyGodisafreegifttomenwhoareopentoreceiveit.
Butthisknowledgeisdifficultbecausethereareconditionstobemetandtheobstinatenatureoffallenmandoesnottakekindlytothem.
LetmepresentabriefsummaryoftheseconditionsastaughtbytheBibleandrepeatedthroughthecenturiesbytheholiest,sweetestsaintstheworldhaseverknown:
First,wemustforsakeoursins.ThebeliefthataholyGodcannotbeknownbymenofconfirmedevillivesisnotnewtotheChristianreligion.TheHebrewbook,TheWisdomofSolomon,whichantedatesChristianitybymanyyears,hasthefollowingpassage:Loverighteousness,yethatbejudgesoftheearth:thinkoftheLordwithagoodheart,andinsimplicityofheartseekhim.Forhewillbefoundofthemthattempthimnot;andshowethhimselfuntosuchasdonotdistrusthim.ForfrowardthoughtsseparatefromGodandhispower,whenitistried,reproveththeunwise.Foruntoamalicioussoulwisdomshallnotenter;nordwellinthebodythatissubjecttosin.FortheHolySpiritofdisciplinewillfleedeceit,andremovefromthoughtsthatarewithoutunderstanding,andwillnotabidewhenunrighteousnesscomethin.ThissamethoughtisfoundinvarioussayingsthroughouttheinspiredScriptures,thebestknownprobablybeingthewordsofChrist,Blessedarethepureinheart:fortheyshallseeGod.
Second,theremustbeanuttercommittalofthewholelifetoChristinfaith.ThisiswhatitmeanstobelieveinChrist.ItinvolvesavolitionalandemotionalattachmenttoHimaccompaniedbyafirmpurposetoobeyHiminallthings.ThisrequiresthatwekeepHiscommandments,carryourcross,andloveGodandourfellowmen.
Third,theremustbeareckoningofourselvestohavedieduntosinandtobealiveuntoGodinChristJesus,followedbyathrowingopenoftheentirepersonalitytotheinflowoftheHolySpirit.Thenwemustpracticewhateverself-disciplineisrequiredtowalkintheSpirit,andtrampleunderourfeetthelustsoftheflesh.
Fourth,wemustboldlyrepudiatethecheapvaluesofthefallenworldand
becomecompletelydetachedinspiritfromeverythingthatunbelievingmensettheirheartsupon,allowingourselvesonlythesimplestenjoymentsofnaturewhichGodhasbestowedalikeuponthejustandtheunjust.
Fifth,wemustpracticetheartoflongandlovingmeditationuponthemajestyofGod.Thiswilltakesomeeffort,fortheconceptofmajestyhasallbutdisappearedfromthehumanrace.Thefocalpointofmansinterestisnowhimself.Humanisminitsvariousformshasdisplacedtheologyasthekeytotheunderstandingoflife.Whenthenineteenth-centurypoetSwinburnewrote,GlorytoManinthehighest!formanisthemasterofthings,hegavetothemodernworlditsnewTeDeum.Allthismustbereversedbyadeliberateactofthewillandkeptsobyapatienteffortofthemind.
GodisaPersonandcanbeknowninincreasingdegreesofintimateacquaintanceasweprepareourheartsforthewonder.ItmaybenecessaryforustoalterourformerbeliefsaboutGodastheglorythatgildstheSacredScripturesdawnsoverourinteriorlives.Wemayalsoneedtobreakquietlyandgraciouslywiththelifelesstextualismthatprevailsamongthegospelchurches,andtoprotestthefrivolouscharacterofmuchthatpassesforChristianityamongus.Bythiswemayforthetimelosefriendsandgainapassingreputationforbeingholier-than-thou;butnomanwhopermitstheexpectationofunpleasantconsequencestoinfluencehiminamatterlikethisisfitforthekingdomofGod.
Sixth,astheknowledgeofGodbecomesmorewonderful,greaterservicetoourfellowmenwillbecomeforusimperative.Thisblessedknowledgeisnotgiventobeenjoyedselfishly.ThemoreperfectlyweknowGodthemorewewillfeelthedesiretotranslatethenew-foundknowledgeintodeedsofmercytowardsufferinghumanity.TheGodwhogavealltouswillcontinuetogiveallthroughusaswecometoknowHimbetter.
ThusfarwehaveconsideredtheindividualspersonalrelationtoGod,butliketheointmentofamansrighthand,whichbyitsfragrancebetrayethitself,anyintensifiedknowledgeofGodwillsoonbegintoaffectthosearoundusintheChristiancommunity.AndwemustseekpurposefullytoshareourincreasinglightwiththefellowmembersofthehouseholdofGod.
ThiswecanbestdobykeepingthemajestyofGodinfullfocusinallourpublicservices.NotonlyourprivateprayersshouldbefilledwithGod,byourwitnessing,oursinging,ourpreaching,ourwritingshouldcenteraroundthe
Personofourholy,holyLordandextolcontinuallythegreatnessofHisdignityandpower.ThereisaglorifiedManontherighthandoftheMajestyinheavenfaithfullyrepresentingusthere.Weareleftforaseasonamongmen;letusfaithfullyrepresentHimhere.
END
TableofContents
Chapter23TheOpenSecret
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23