Wonderful stuff here Josh! I've thought a lot lately that we often get such a death-grip on the things of God, that maybe we squeeze Him right out of them, like toothpaste out of a tube...and then we're left with nothing but stuff that God once inhabited, but is now empty for us. What was once a means of grace now becomes an impediment. Thankfully though, I think He still calls out to our over-analyzing souls...and offers Himself to us all over again. Love the honesty in your writing; thanks for sharing good words with us!
To me it's like watching a movie. I forget I have a body for 2 hours while I lose myself in the story. But then, once you start talking about directors, screenwriters, lighting, hair and makeup... I mean, all of those elements can deepen my appreciation somewhat, but that's not the meaning of the movie. You quite literally lose the plot when you obsess over the inner workings.
This is so good. Makes me think of a Tolkien quote from a letter where he was writing to a friend about how much closer they’d be if he was converted (whether to Christianity in general or to Catholicism specifically I don’t remember). He said something about how he wished he could explain it all but there’s so much that can only be intimately experienced and understood from the inside, from intimacy and awe.
I am an associate pastor at a church so l am all for theology and doctrine. I thought that taking a deep dive into theology and doctrine would help me know God at an intimate level. Sure l've gained a lot of knowledge. But ever since l've prayed and fasted more than I study, l've felt more closer to God than l've ever been in my life. It's strange. Thanks Josh for describing this so beautifully!
"The kind of knowing that surpasses facts about someone, and begins to enjoy the person in some real, tangible, embodied way."
You put into words what my heart has been slowly figuring out over the past couple years. Theological knowledge matters, but it's not the end. It's a means to better enjoy God in a real, tangible, embodied way.
I agree completely!! It's innate within us to connect to a higher power. It's a good desire. Around the time I was really asking hard questions, I started reading book after book of Muslims coming to faith through dreams of Jesus. This ignited my faith like nothing else. And since then I've seen miracles, healings, and demons cast out in Jesus' name. I wake up every day in awe of God. I've experienced His presence and all-surpassing peace. 🤍 He is alive and active.🔥🔥
Fascinating lead in with the mouse and excellent segue to the difference between knowing about God and knowing God intimately, as living Lord of all. Great essay!
“‘In our world,’ said Eustace, ‘a star is a huge ball of flaming gas.’
‘Even in your world, my son, that is not what a star is, but only what it is made of.’
———
I‘ve been thinking about this so much lately, especially while trying to learn a little Aristotle. There’s something deficient in our current form of natural philosophy. We murder to dissect.
Wonderful stuff here Josh! I've thought a lot lately that we often get such a death-grip on the things of God, that maybe we squeeze Him right out of them, like toothpaste out of a tube...and then we're left with nothing but stuff that God once inhabited, but is now empty for us. What was once a means of grace now becomes an impediment. Thankfully though, I think He still calls out to our over-analyzing souls...and offers Himself to us all over again. Love the honesty in your writing; thanks for sharing good words with us!
bingo ! God is always in the business of breaking down whatever separates us from Him
To me it's like watching a movie. I forget I have a body for 2 hours while I lose myself in the story. But then, once you start talking about directors, screenwriters, lighting, hair and makeup... I mean, all of those elements can deepen my appreciation somewhat, but that's not the meaning of the movie. You quite literally lose the plot when you obsess over the inner workings.
yes yes yes yes yes
it's losing the forest for the trees
This is so good. Makes me think of a Tolkien quote from a letter where he was writing to a friend about how much closer they’d be if he was converted (whether to Christianity in general or to Catholicism specifically I don’t remember). He said something about how he wished he could explain it all but there’s so much that can only be intimately experienced and understood from the inside, from intimacy and awe.
YES
I am an associate pastor at a church so l am all for theology and doctrine. I thought that taking a deep dive into theology and doctrine would help me know God at an intimate level. Sure l've gained a lot of knowledge. But ever since l've prayed and fasted more than I study, l've felt more closer to God than l've ever been in my life. It's strange. Thanks Josh for describing this so beautifully!
i hear you dude, i spend a lot of time reading and studying.
But not much beats a quiet time of contemplation
"The kind of knowing that surpasses facts about someone, and begins to enjoy the person in some real, tangible, embodied way."
You put into words what my heart has been slowly figuring out over the past couple years. Theological knowledge matters, but it's not the end. It's a means to better enjoy God in a real, tangible, embodied way.
I agree completely!! It's innate within us to connect to a higher power. It's a good desire. Around the time I was really asking hard questions, I started reading book after book of Muslims coming to faith through dreams of Jesus. This ignited my faith like nothing else. And since then I've seen miracles, healings, and demons cast out in Jesus' name. I wake up every day in awe of God. I've experienced His presence and all-surpassing peace. 🤍 He is alive and active.🔥🔥
As always, so good and so necessary. Please drop a comprehensive reading list one day 🙏🏼
YES - soon, i have some plans, actually
Fascinating lead in with the mouse and excellent segue to the difference between knowing about God and knowing God intimately, as living Lord of all. Great essay!
“‘In our world,’ said Eustace, ‘a star is a huge ball of flaming gas.’
‘Even in your world, my son, that is not what a star is, but only what it is made of.’
———
I‘ve been thinking about this so much lately, especially while trying to learn a little Aristotle. There’s something deficient in our current form of natural philosophy. We murder to dissect.
Great essay. Thanks.
Loved it. If you haven't read Peter Kreeft's "Christianity for modern pagans", I think you'll enjoy it very much.