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As good Presbyterians, we are especially attracted to the system of theology. Biblical interpretation and the establishment of systematic theology through the rational investigation of the teaching of Scripture is one of our "forte's."
But, what do we do with the mysteries?
For one, we seem to believe that we should try to eliminate them :-) . But, without in any sense wanting to disparage the investigation of questions, I might broaden the base of the inquiry by making the following suggestions:
1) Since God is incomprehensible (cannot be fully comprehended by the creaturely mind), then there must be mysteries. This fact should not be resisted.
2) We do need to investigate mysteries, not only to seek explanations, but also to seek not to explain them away, but to see their true bounds. What exactly is a mystery? What are the reasons for its existence?
3) We are masters at "using" the doctrines we think we understand -- at least by repeating the words, but also perhaps having inadequate illumination about their true scope. But, of what use is a mystery?
I conclude that mysteries are at the root of worship. Insofar as our theological efforts try to explain everything -- an impossible and unScriptural goal -- then our efforts tend to do away with real aspects of Christian worship.
Let me give an example:
Why am I a true believer in Christ? Is it because of anything I did? No. In fact he did not have to choose me for salvation. He could have chosen someone else in my place, and left me in my sins. How should I feel and think about this? With wonder, admiration and gratitude! Every day I spend in Heaven, in the fellowship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and all my fellow saints, and the holy angels, I will think with abounding and daily increasing holy gratitude how all this is a gift. I, who am nothing, and have been a sinner and rebel, have been brought to this by the grace of God, for no reason but his goodness and grace. How can the contemplation of his goodness and grace, and the mystery of his choice of me, not result in ever-increasing worship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit now and forever?
Or, consider the Fatherhood of God. I know what a human father is, having known my human father. I know what being a father is, for my own part, though I cannot boast. But, how can we ever exhaust the simple meaning of this word "father" as we live under the fatherhood of our Father in Heaven? Will we ever cease to extol his greatness, the more we perceive of it forever? We will be eternally worshiping, marveling and saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you -- I never realized before how much you have cared for me!"
1) Since God is incomprehensible (cannot be fully comprehended by the creaturely mind), then there must be mysteries. This fact should not be resisted.
2) We do need to investigate mysteries, not only to seek explanations, but also to seek not to explain them away, but to see their true bounds. What exactly is a mystery? What are the reasons for its existence?
3) We are masters at "using" the doctrines we think we understand -- at least by repeating the words, but also perhaps having inadequate illumination about their true scope. But, of what use is a mystery?
I conclude that mysteries are at the root of worship. Insofar as our theological efforts try to explain everything -- an impossible and unScriptural goal -- then our efforts tend to do away with real aspects of Christian worship.
Let me give an example:
Why am I a true believer in Christ? Is it because of anything I did? No. In fact he did not have to choose me for salvation. He could have chosen someone else in my place, and left me in my sins. How should I feel and think about this? With wonder, admiration and gratitude! Every day I spend in Heaven, in the fellowship of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and all my fellow saints, and the holy angels, I will think with abounding and daily increasing holy gratitude how all this is a gift. I, who am nothing, and have been a sinner and rebel, have been brought to this by the grace of God, for no reason but his goodness and grace. How can the contemplation of his goodness and grace, and the mystery of his choice of me, not result in ever-increasing worship of Father, Son and Holy Spirit now and forever?
Or, consider the Fatherhood of God. I know what a human father is, having known my human father. I know what being a father is, for my own part, though I cannot boast. But, how can we ever exhaust the simple meaning of this word "father" as we live under the fatherhood of our Father in Heaven? Will we ever cease to extol his greatness, the more we perceive of it forever? We will be eternally worshiping, marveling and saying, "Thank you, thank you, thank you -- I never realized before how much you have cared for me!"
Reviewed and retained.
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