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
Thank you, Jonny, for your reflections here. You have clearly put some good (and interesting!) thought into these questions. You are right on: sin has affected our mind...and our hearts. And I think you are on the right path to be sure as not to strictly divorce the two. That is something that happens, I think, as a result of sin. We become less integrated in mind and heart and the result is related to what James will call the "double-minded" man. But you are touching on what theologians call the "noetic effects" of sin - that is, how sin affects the intellect (noos). Sin effects all parts of us. And perhaps when you say that the heart is more "spiritually guided" you are hinting out the reality of God's Spirit interacting with our spirit, which we can say is found in our heart? (see Romans 8)
ReplyDeleteYou've reflected on the "economy" of the Trinity: that is, how each acts in unity at all times - from creation to new creation. And you are "adjusting your thinking to that mindset." That is a good thing! If, in fact, God is both unknown and yet makes himself known, you and I will learn more about God as life goes on let's pray that we adjust our mindsets. This is part of being renewed in our minds (Romans 12). And as for your example of the undiscovered color, I really liked that. And, to my knowledge, there ARE colors that we can't see! Yet they exist. If that is so of a created reality, what more for God? It is amazing to ponder. Thanks, Jonny!