“How can we turn our knowledge about God into knowledge of God? The rule for doing this is simple but demanding. It is that we turn each truth that we learn about God into a matter for meditation before God, leading to prayer and praise to God.” (J.I. Packer, Knowing God, p.23)
I could do some research and tell you all kinds of information about President Abraham Lincoln, where he was from, how he rose to power, when he was married, inaugurated, and died. I could quote for you from some of his speeches and legislation. I could tell you a lot about him, but that doesn't mean that I actually know him. There's a big difference between head knowledge and experiential knowledge. The same is true regarding knowing God.
One of the great risks of theological education is that we fill our heads with knowledge about God, but we never actually come to know God Himself. This idea has come to the forefront as I prepare to teach a course this semester on the theology of God. We could read lots of theology books and study the details of God's attributes and perfections, His character and His work, and never actually have a true encounter with the living God. We could read our Bibles all day, but if it remains only a piece of historic literature then we will never experience God through it.
The study of God is simply the means through which we encounter Him. Our aim and ultimate purpose is not the knowledge in itself, for "knowledge puffs up" (1 Cor 8:1), but our goal is the God whom that knowledge is about. This is, as Packer notes above, where disciplines like meditation, prayer, and praise come in. So the question is, am I seeking knowledge about God for its own sake, or am I seeking to dive deep into the infinite depths of the God whom I'm studying, to let wave after wave of His greatness crash over me and overwhelm me, and to love Him deeper for the knowing?
Me and My Green Thumb
While I was in Katima I picked up a few local mangos. While enjoying their deliciousness, I had an epiphany. If I grow a mango tree then I could enjoy these mangos all the time! Thus began my career in gardening. I did a little research on germinating the seed and learned that it actually takes very little care to grow mango trees. So here's to hoping that even I can't mess it up! The one on the left is the day I potted it. After a month it's still going strong and even sprouted two more little seedlings.
New Year's Eve
"A Spectacle to the World"
One of the most popular false teachings here in Africa is that God’s primary goal is to give you material blessings and a comfortable, easy life. Pastor’s often become the spectacle of this philosophy. They convince their poor congregations to give every last cent as “seed” money, while they are living the high life as a demonstration of their godliness and faith evidenced by their material blessing.
Lately I’ve been reading through 1 Corinthians in preparation for my class on the theology of the Church. In chapter 4:8ff, I couldn’t help but resonate with Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthian church in light of my current context.
“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us [apostles] you have become kings!"
They were boasting of their spiritual maturity. They were arrogant about what they considered wisdom. They were puffed up and proud, as if they had earned for themselves anything they were given.
“And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!”
Paul takes a sarcastic stab turning on his use of the word ‘kings.’ For one day we all will be ‘kings and queens’ reigning with Christ. So if they had actually been ruling as kings, then it would mean Christ had returned and Paul and the apostles would also be reigning with them.
“For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.”
But true leaders shouldn’t put themselves first, but last. Paul, the apostles, his missionary partners, they have been put on display as an example of what leadership should look like.
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.”
The example of the apostles is exactly the opposite of what the world would hold up as exemplary, and what the Corinthians exhibited. It’s not arrogant and boastful, trying to prop oneself up. Rather it’s humility, recognizing weakness, through which God gets all the glory.
“To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.”
They certainly weren’t in the business to get rich and fat, have big houses and fancy clothes. But none of these hardships where cause for them to give up, cash it in and choose another profession. These are simply the accepted occupational hazards. It comes with the job.
“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat."
And resistance doesn’t mean that you don’t have enough faith or that God is punishing you. It usually means you’re doing something right! We should expect slander, persecution, cursing, hatred. The world and the devil don't like our message so they’re gonna put up a fight. Jesus said if the world hated Him then it’ll hate His followers too. But neither is this reason to give up. Rather it should encourage us to continue, to press on even more so.
"We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”
Wow, what does this say of our own culture of celebrity pastors and Christian pop icons?
Christianity is not about propping ourselves up. It’s not about seeming wise or getting rich, famous, and powerful--even if it's in the name of Jesus. The apostles have set for us an example of humble servanthood, following Christ with abandon above all else, making His name famous. But how busy do we often get decorating our reputations, coddling our comfortable lifestyles, or lining our retirement accounts? Thanks for the reality check, Paul.
Lately I’ve been reading through 1 Corinthians in preparation for my class on the theology of the Church. In chapter 4:8ff, I couldn’t help but resonate with Paul’s rebuke of the Corinthian church in light of my current context.
“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us [apostles] you have become kings!"
They were boasting of their spiritual maturity. They were arrogant about what they considered wisdom. They were puffed up and proud, as if they had earned for themselves anything they were given.
“And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!”
Paul takes a sarcastic stab turning on his use of the word ‘kings.’ For one day we all will be ‘kings and queens’ reigning with Christ. So if they had actually been ruling as kings, then it would mean Christ had returned and Paul and the apostles would also be reigning with them.
“For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.”
But true leaders shouldn’t put themselves first, but last. Paul, the apostles, his missionary partners, they have been put on display as an example of what leadership should look like.
“We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.”
The example of the apostles is exactly the opposite of what the world would hold up as exemplary, and what the Corinthians exhibited. It’s not arrogant and boastful, trying to prop oneself up. Rather it’s humility, recognizing weakness, through which God gets all the glory.
“To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, and we labor, working with our own hands.”
They certainly weren’t in the business to get rich and fat, have big houses and fancy clothes. But none of these hardships where cause for them to give up, cash it in and choose another profession. These are simply the accepted occupational hazards. It comes with the job.
“When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we entreat."
And resistance doesn’t mean that you don’t have enough faith or that God is punishing you. It usually means you’re doing something right! We should expect slander, persecution, cursing, hatred. The world and the devil don't like our message so they’re gonna put up a fight. Jesus said if the world hated Him then it’ll hate His followers too. But neither is this reason to give up. Rather it should encourage us to continue, to press on even more so.
"We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.”
Wow, what does this say of our own culture of celebrity pastors and Christian pop icons?
Christianity is not about propping ourselves up. It’s not about seeming wise or getting rich, famous, and powerful--even if it's in the name of Jesus. The apostles have set for us an example of humble servanthood, following Christ with abandon above all else, making His name famous. But how busy do we often get decorating our reputations, coddling our comfortable lifestyles, or lining our retirement accounts? Thanks for the reality check, Paul.
Happy Holidays!
The desert paints some of the most exquisite sunsets you’ll ever see. As the sun sinks silently into the horizon it ignites the few lonely clouds with strokes of yellow, pink, and orange. These are suspended on a background of every shade of blue imaginable, from pastel where the sun has just disappeared to the deep blue at the height of it’s dome directly overhead fading into the purples and pinks of the opposite horizon. With no obstructions, the sky is so expansive that it’s impossible to take it all in with a single view. Meanwhile the low, steady howl of the constant wind silences every other sound until it’s only you, this massive color pallet, and your Creator.
Over the holiday break I’ve been staying in Arandis. It’s a small town in the desert and many people have left for the holidays so it’s been peaceful and quiet. It’s always sunny and being only 60km from the ocean we get a nice cool coastal breeze. I do still have a few friends who’ve stayed in town so it’s been nice catching up with them and mostly just relaxing.
Some days I will drive the 30 minutes west to the coastal town of Swakopmund. At a pretty constant 60-70 degrees, it’s where many people travel to during the holidays to escape the oppressive inland heat. I go to find some beach volleyball, take a stroll out the jetty, hike a dune, or just relax with a book on the beach listening to the sounds of playful children and crashing waves. This holiday I’ve been reading Family-Based Youth Ministry for work, and for pleasure, rereading one of my favs, A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken. I’ve also used some of the downtime to finally catch up on sorting and editing photos from the past few months, which I’m slowly uploading to my Flickr page whenever the internet decides to work.
I sincerely hope that whatever you’re doing over the holidays, it provides you with a time to rest a bit, enjoy people you love, and reconnect with the God who loves you so much that He sent His Son in the form of a baby who would grow up and die on a cross so that you might have a relationship with Him. Wishing you all a very merry Christmas and happy New Year!
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