Eternity of God

The question I have for chapter 7 is why would God create something that he would eventually end? Since the past, present, and future are all at once for him, it doesn't seem like there is a point from his perspective to create time, and eventually end it. It seems like it would be more logical for him to create time and the universe to last forever. However, we can never know in full extent why God does what he does, but we can know that whatever it is, it is perfect.  The idea of God eventually ending time makes us need to think differently about our studies of history. We get into the rut of thinking that time will last forever, and that there has always been something created, and we don't often let it dawn on us that history is not infinite even though it may start to feel like it.

Free Response

Question: Tozer says that "The word Necessary is wholly foreign to God" and that nothing is above him. By this logic, he is above sin, and if he is so, why did he have to send his son to die for us to conquer sin? This is a question that has always bothered me since I was little. Since God has all power, couldn't he just pay for our sins by other means, and have everything accomplished that needs to be without the loss of his son? It is hard to fathom this, but in the end, though we may never know why this had to be, it was God's plan, therefore it is perfect. One idea that stuck out to me in this chapter is the idea that even if everyone on earth were to become atheist, it would not change God in any way. It is a strange way of thinking because we tend to think how what we do will affect God and the image he has of us, but there is nothing we can do to change him. Another idea that stuck out to me is that God does not need to be defended. We forget this often times because we are learning the art of persuasion and debate so we can support our beliefs, and defend our religion. However, God does not need to be given an argument for, he is the argument for himself.

The Self- Existence of God

2.       This reality actually settles quite nicely with me. I have always kind of thought of God as constantly working in our lives. This makes God all the more awesome because he can orchestrate all our lives in such detail, and make them weave together so perfectly. It is amazing to see things that happen in others' lives, and how it affects other lives and it all works for good, and God can do that by himself.

3.       I think that sin is anything that contradicts the nature of God. Sin is also many times something that makes us feel guilt, and something that we know we shouldn't do. Tozer describes sin as a result of our rebellious nature. Since we are made as moral creatures we have the ability to choose right from wrong, and we choose wrong. We sin because we challenge the sovereignty of God in our own lives, and that causes us to fall.

A Divine Attribute

1.        There's a famous saying that goes like this: "Follow your gut..." While this may be a small, and loosely used, I think there is some truth to it. We are a fallen race, so our thoughts have been polluted, and sinful. I think then, that our mind can easily twist things in our mind. When we cautiously reason in our mind, we can easily tend to twist our thoughts into sin, however I believe our instinctive heart reactions are more pure than our mind. While both the "heart" and the "mind" are both the same, I think the part of our thinking that we call our "heart" is the more spiritually guided, and in touch part. I think that Tozer would say this not to disparage the theological mind, but as a warning as to how we can easily twist our thoughts, and we need the spirit to guide us.

2.        It is hard for me to wrap my mind around God not being able to be given attributes. It's like trying to imagine a color that has never been discovered. It seems counter-intuitive that God is three beings, but does not divide himself to do different things. We have always learned about the trinity even since we were little, but (for me at least) we think of God as having the son to die for us, his spirit to work in us, and himself to create, and rule... three persons. However, that is not the case, and it is hard to adjust my thinking to that mindset.

3.       This chapter in Tozer is some pretty heavy stuff. I admire Tozer for being so bold in his words, making such big claims, and totally challenging you to change your view on God and his nature. It is strange because we can write down a list of attributes we can think of for God, but in reality we are taking words we would use to describe other humans, and using them to describe the creator of humans which doesn't work, as he is unknowable. It is a lot to take in