I agree, the separation doesn't make sense, but it is pervasive. People don't seem to mind that God can do miracles, but they do mind that his character demands obedience, justice, and love all at the same time. So, that character gets dismissed. The underlying question, is how do we reconnect the two without just saying, "It's obvious." If it was, then I hope the issue wouldn't be so pervasive.
perhaps we could be more insistent on preaching the ten words and the story of the exodus as the theological beginning of God's self-revelation. God brought israel out of slavery with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, therefore...
it's already connected in the text, (which you've indicated) our question is: why aren't we pointing toward it? why aren't we, like john the baptist constantly pointing toward the incarnation/crucifixion/resurrection (that is, incidentally, also the story of the exodus)? the connection has got to come from the pulpit. the fact that there is, as you've said, a widely perceived gulf between God's power and God's character probably means that we've dropped the ball on a constructive theological view of providence.
i don't know - is the link made explicit out there in the hallowed lecterns of pasadena? it's been a while since i've visited.
I can't say that there are many pulpits here that reach back to the Old Testament to build up the character of God alongside his power. Of course, we could simply start with the character of Jesus, who is also God. This seems to be the easiest and most straight-forward way to present the power of God in connection with his character. Why isn't this happening? Should the church be able to capitalize on a generation of people who are not afraid of the power of God and just need to connect with the truth of His character?
6 comments:
not sure you can divorce God's power from God's character, so I don't really know how to comment.
for all practical purposes you're probably right, but that's the result of a rather unfortunate (yet pervasive) false dichotomy.
here's a thought that will not likely radically cure anything: belief in God's providence underscores virtually every confession of faith.
I agree, the separation doesn't make sense, but it is pervasive. People don't seem to mind that God can do miracles, but they do mind that his character demands obedience, justice, and love all at the same time. So, that character gets dismissed. The underlying question, is how do we reconnect the two without just saying, "It's obvious." If it was, then I hope the issue wouldn't be so pervasive.
whoaaaaaaaaa
perhaps we could be more insistent on preaching the ten words and the story of the exodus as the theological beginning of God's self-revelation. God brought israel out of slavery with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, therefore...
it's already connected in the text, (which you've indicated) our question is: why aren't we pointing toward it? why aren't we, like john the baptist constantly pointing toward the incarnation/crucifixion/resurrection (that is, incidentally, also the story of the exodus)? the connection has got to come from the pulpit. the fact that there is, as you've said, a widely perceived gulf between God's power and God's character probably means that we've dropped the ball on a constructive theological view of providence.
i don't know - is the link made explicit out there in the hallowed lecterns of pasadena? it's been a while since i've visited.
I can't say that there are many pulpits here that reach back to the Old Testament to build up the character of God alongside his power. Of course, we could simply start with the character of Jesus, who is also God. This seems to be the easiest and most straight-forward way to present the power of God in connection with his character. Why isn't this happening? Should the church be able to capitalize on a generation of people who are not afraid of the power of God and just need to connect with the truth of His character?
What are we missing?
who are you anyway?
Post a Comment