theology for troubled believers: a lenten journey 1. the nature of god. part 1 sunday, march 13,...

Theology for Theology for Troubled Believers:Troubled Believers:A Lenten JourneyA Lenten Journey

1. The Nature of God. 1. The Nature of God. Part 1Part 1

Sunday, March 13, 201110 to 10:50 am, in the Parlor

Presenter: David Monyak

March 13 March 13 and March 20: and March 20: The Nature of God.The Nature of God. Topics: Introduction to Theology. The Holy One Topics: Introduction to Theology. The Holy One

of Israel. of Israel. The Maker of Heaven and Earth. The Limits of The Maker of Heaven and Earth. The Limits of Science. What is Meant by “God”?Science. What is Meant by “God”?

March 27: SufferingMarch 27: Suffering Topics: Topics: Nature as a Witness and Innocent Suffering. Innocent Nature as a Witness and Innocent Suffering. Innocent

Suffering and Life Beyond Death. Suffering from Nature and Suffering and Life Beyond Death. Suffering from Nature and Extreme Human Cruelty.Extreme Human Cruelty.

April 3: The Divine Sacrifices.April 3: The Divine Sacrifices. Topics: Topics: The Sacrifice in Creation. Incarnation as Sacrifice. The The Sacrifice in Creation. Incarnation as Sacrifice. The

Temptations in the Wilderness. The Sacrifice of the Cross.Temptations in the Wilderness. The Sacrifice of the Cross. April 10: The New Life in God.April 10: The New Life in God.

Topics: Topics: The Resurrection of Jesus and Eternal Life. Jesus as The Resurrection of Jesus and Eternal Life. Jesus as Lord and Jesus as Servant. Revelation and Faith.Lord and Jesus as Servant. Revelation and Faith.

April 17: Responding to God.April 17: Responding to God. Topics: Topics: The Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments. Sin, The Holy Spirit, the Church, and the Sacraments. Sin,

Evil, and Hope for the Future.Evil, and Hope for the Future.

ReferenceReference

Theology for a Theology for a Troubled Believer. Troubled Believer. An Introduction to An Introduction to the Christian the Christian Faith.Faith. Diogenes Diogenes Allen, 2010. Allen, 2010. Introduction. Introduction. Chapters 1 and 2Chapters 1 and 2

ReferenceReference

Theology for a Troubled Believer. An Theology for a Troubled Believer. An Introduction to the Christian Faith.Introduction to the Christian Faith. Diogenes Allen, 2010Diogenes Allen, 2010

O All-Transcendent God, what words can hymn your praises? O All-Transcendent God, what words can hymn your praises? No word does you justice. What mind can probe your secret? No word does you justice. What mind can probe your secret? No mind can encompass you. You are alone beyond the power No mind can encompass you. You are alone beyond the power of speech, yet all that we speak stems from you. You are alone of speech, yet all that we speak stems from you. You are alone beyond the power of thought, yet all that we can conceive beyond the power of thought, yet all that we can conceive springs from you. All things proclaim you, those endowed springs from you. All things proclaim you, those endowed with reason and those bereft of it. All the expectation and pain with reason and those bereft of it. All the expectation and pain of the world coalesces in you. All things utter a prayer to you, of the world coalesces in you. All things utter a prayer to you, a silent hymn composed by you. You sustain everything that a silent hymn composed by you. You sustain everything that exists, and all things move together to your orders. You are exists, and all things move together to your orders. You are the goal of all that exists. You are one and you are all, yet you the goal of all that exists. You are one and you are all, yet you are none of the things that exist - neither a part nor the whole. are none of the things that exist - neither a part nor the whole. You can avail yourself of any name; how shall I call you, the You can avail yourself of any name; how shall I call you, the only unnameable? All-transcendent God!only unnameable? All-transcendent God!

St. Gregory of Nazianzen, 329-38St. Gregory of Nazianzen, 329-38

This week:This week:The Nature of God:The Nature of God:Introduction to TheologyIntroduction to Theology

The Holy One of IsraelThe Holy One of Israel

Introduction to Introduction to TheologyTheology

IntroductionIntroductionMaking Sense of the World and Our LivesMaking Sense of the World and Our Lives Why do the righteous suffer while sinners and Why do the righteous suffer while sinners and

evildoers prosper?evildoers prosper? Why does God let children die of cancer?Why does God let children die of cancer? How could the Nazi murder millions of the Jews, How could the Nazi murder millions of the Jews,

God's chosen people, and heaven remain silent?God's chosen people, and heaven remain silent? What kind of God is so hidden that many What kind of God is so hidden that many

biologists tell us the scientific theory of evolution biologists tell us the scientific theory of evolution proves He does not exist?proves He does not exist?

If God loves us, why can we or our loved ones be If God loves us, why can we or our loved ones be cut down in an instant by a ruptured brain cut down in an instant by a ruptured brain aneurysm, a bullet, or tsunami?aneurysm, a bullet, or tsunami?

IntroductionIntroductionMaking Sense of the World and Our LivesMaking Sense of the World and Our Lives

Theology attempts to supply some of the Theology attempts to supply some of the information, the "pieces of the puzzle" we information, the "pieces of the puzzle" we need to make more sense of the Christian need to make more sense of the Christian understanding of God and our life in the understanding of God and our life in the universe.universe.

IntroductionIntroductionThe Limits of Our Knowledge of GodThe Limits of Our Knowledge of God

Caveat: Caveat: we cannot supply all the pieces we cannot supply all the pieces needed to complete the entire puzzle.needed to complete the entire puzzle.

There is so much that we cannot know about There is so much that we cannot know about God and the world under God.God and the world under God.


Compare God to the sun:Compare God to the sun: God's presence is like the rays of the sun: God's presence is like the rays of the sun: Only a few rays are needed for the earth to be Only a few rays are needed for the earth to be

brilliantly illumined .brilliantly illumined . Most of the sun’s immense energy falls elsewhere. Most of the sun’s immense energy falls elsewhere. Indeed, the entire energy of the sun would utterly Indeed, the entire energy of the sun would utterly

destroy us. destroy us.


Compare God to the sun:Compare God to the sun: God, coming to us in Jesus, lowered God's intensity. God, coming to us in Jesus, lowered God's intensity. Through Jesus, God invites us to share God's life with Through Jesus, God invites us to share God's life with

us, to elevate us into God's realm or kingdomus, to elevate us into God's realm or kingdom God's invitation is gently toned down to the person of God's invitation is gently toned down to the person of

Jesus, so that we are not overwhelmed by God's full Jesus, so that we are not overwhelmed by God's full intensity. intensity.

But this reduction of God's intensity means that most But this reduction of God's intensity means that most of God's greatness is not apparent to us. of God's greatness is not apparent to us.

Only a small part of God reaches us, as does only a Only a small part of God reaches us, as does only a small part of the sun's rayssmall part of the sun's rays

IntroductionIntroductionSources of TheologySources of Theology

The main source of Christian theology is the The main source of Christian theology is the Bible.Bible.

Christian theology also exists because of a Christian theology also exists because of a kind of intellectual curiosity that in ancient kind of intellectual curiosity that in ancient times was unique to ancient Greece:times was unique to ancient Greece: The ancient Egyptians said that the Greeks were The ancient Egyptians said that the Greeks were

like children because they were always asking like children because they were always asking “Why?” “Why?”

They asked questions persistently and They asked questions persistently and systematically.systematically.


Today, the systematic search for reasons, the Today, the systematic search for reasons, the logoslogos for anything and everything, is for anything and everything, is something we take for granted. something we take for granted.

It is part of our mental and cultural makeup.It is part of our mental and cultural makeup. We share with the ancient Greeks a desire to We share with the ancient Greeks a desire to

push back the domain of the unknown, to push back the domain of the unknown, to unveil all mysteries.unveil all mysteries.


Theology explores various themes in biblical Theology explores various themes in biblical history, such as creation and the incarnation. history, such as creation and the incarnation.

It asks and tries to answer questions about what It asks and tries to answer questions about what they mean and imply.they mean and imply.

It often seeks to relate these themes to what other It often seeks to relate these themes to what other fields of knowledge are uncovering: history, fields of knowledge are uncovering: history, archaeology, cosmology, psychology, or biology.archaeology, cosmology, psychology, or biology.

For “all truth is Christian Truth” (St. Justin Martyr For “all truth is Christian Truth” (St. Justin Martyr d. ~150 AD).d. ~150 AD).

IntroductionIntroductionRubricsRubrics

Theology is usually organized under topics Theology is usually organized under topics often called “rubrics” rather than as a often called “rubrics” rather than as a chronological storychronological story from the Latin for “red”: they were once written in from the Latin for “red”: they were once written in

red in textbooks.red in textbooks. examples: examples: creation, providence, incarnation, creation, providence, incarnation,

Holy Spirit, TrinityHoly Spirit, Trinity

IntroductionIntroductionWhy Study Theology?Why Study Theology?

It is possible for all of us to go astray in our behavior, It is possible for all of us to go astray in our behavior, failing to live up to the teachings of Christ.failing to live up to the teachings of Christ.

We can also go astray in our ideas about God and God's We can also go astray in our ideas about God and God's purposes.purposes. Some theological understanding of the biblical story is Some theological understanding of the biblical story is

necessary to keep us from going astray even in our necessary to keep us from going astray even in our behavior. behavior.

A good theological understanding of Christian A good theological understanding of Christian doctrines can provide essential guidance for both our doctrines can provide essential guidance for both our thoughts and actions.thoughts and actions. ““doctrine” = that which is taught.doctrine” = that which is taught.

IntroductionIntroductionExample: Parables of Being LostExample: Parables of Being Lost

An example of how a good theological understanding An example of how a good theological understanding of Christian doctrines can provide essential guidance of Christian doctrines can provide essential guidance for both our thoughts and actions: the familiar story of for both our thoughts and actions: the familiar story of the Prodigal or Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32). the Prodigal or Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32).

Occurs in a chapter entirely devoted to the theme of Occurs in a chapter entirely devoted to the theme of being lost.being lost.

Luke 15 gives us three parables about being lost: Luke 15 gives us three parables about being lost: The parable of the Lost Sheep, The parable of the Lost Sheep, The parable of the Lost Coin, The parable of the Lost Coin, The parable of the Lost or Prodigal Son. The parable of the Lost or Prodigal Son.

Together they all give an extraordinary account of Together they all give an extraordinary account of God's concern for us.God's concern for us.


Prodigal or Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32): A father has two Prodigal or Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32): A father has two sons.sons.

The younger one asks for his inheritance and then goes to a The younger one asks for his inheritance and then goes to a far land, where he wastes it in loose living.far land, where he wastes it in loose living.

He is reduced to caring for pigs (unclean animals for Jews) He is reduced to caring for pigs (unclean animals for Jews) and is so hungry that he would gladly eat the fodder fed to and is so hungry that he would gladly eat the fodder fed to the pigs.the pigs.

In time he comes to his senses, repents of his treatment of In time he comes to his senses, repents of his treatment of his father, and returns home.his father, and returns home.

He plans to confess his fault to his father and beg to be hired He plans to confess his fault to his father and beg to be hired as a servant.as a servant.

But before he can even speak, his father runs out to But before he can even speak, his father runs out to welcome him and restores him to a place of honor as a son. welcome him and restores him to a place of honor as a son.


In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus asks:In the Parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus asks: ““Which one of you, having a hundred sheep Which one of you, having a hundred sheep

and losing one, does not leave the ninety-nine and losing one, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?” lost until he finds it?”

A flock of a hundred sheep would make a large herd in A flock of a hundred sheep would make a large herd in Jesus' day, but even so, the loss of a single sheep would Jesus' day, but even so, the loss of a single sheep would have been a serious matter.have been a serious matter.

Jesus knows that his listeners would immediately agree Jesus knows that his listeners would immediately agree that a shepherd would leave the rest of his flock in that a shepherd would leave the rest of his flock in someone's care and go out searching until he found the someone's care and go out searching until he found the stray.stray.


What is remarkable about the parable is that What is remarkable about the parable is that Jesus applies it to God. Jesus applies it to God.

His Father seeks those who are lost and have His Father seeks those who are lost and have no ability to return home, just like lost sheep. no ability to return home, just like lost sheep.

Each of us so matters to God that God will Each of us so matters to God that God will seek and find those who are lost and seek and find those who are lost and bewildered. bewildered.


In the parable of the Lost Coin our value is In the parable of the Lost Coin our value is stressed even more.stressed even more.

An old woman has lost one silver coin out of An old woman has lost one silver coin out of ten, probably her life savings.ten, probably her life savings.

Hence the diligence of her search for the lost Hence the diligence of her search for the lost coin.coin.

Hence the greatness of her joy at finding it.Hence the greatness of her joy at finding it.


This direct search by God that Jesus teaches, this This direct search by God that Jesus teaches, this going out to seek the sinner, is utterly new. going out to seek the sinner, is utterly new.

Jesus, and only Jesus, first taught us that:Jesus, and only Jesus, first taught us that: God takes the initiative to find the lost,God takes the initiative to find the lost, His Father puts himself out to diligently search for us His Father puts himself out to diligently search for us

when we go astray,when we go astray, His Spirit is at work in people before they even realize His Spirit is at work in people before they even realize

it,it, Instead of looking with disdain on those who have Instead of looking with disdain on those who have

gone astray, God rejoices when he finds those who are gone astray, God rejoices when he finds those who are lost.lost.


The stories of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and The stories of the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost or Prodigal Son stress that God takes the Lost or Prodigal Son stress that God takes each of us very seriously, far more seriously than each of us very seriously, far more seriously than we take ourselves. we take ourselves.

Each of us is so valuable to God that God seeks to Each of us is so valuable to God that God seeks to find us and to welcome us into his kingdom.find us and to welcome us into his kingdom.

Jesus had introduced an utterly new idea to the Jesus had introduced an utterly new idea to the world: world: every person is of imperishable, every person is of imperishable, irreplaceable valueirreplaceable value..


Since this teaching of Jesus took hold in Western Since this teaching of Jesus took hold in Western civilization, every ethical theory by Western civilization, every ethical theory by Western philosophers assumes the absolute value of every philosophers assumes the absolute value of every human being.human being.

Our legal systems, our understanding of human Our legal systems, our understanding of human rights, the slow and gradual rise of democracy, rights, the slow and gradual rise of democracy, and the emancipation of women and slaves, all and the emancipation of women and slaves, all rest on this idea.rest on this idea.

They are all inspired by the theology we learn They are all inspired by the theology we learn from simple parables of a Lost Sheep, a Lost from simple parables of a Lost Sheep, a Lost Coin, a Lost Son.Coin, a Lost Son.


Every person must be taken with ultimate Every person must be taken with ultimate seriousness:seriousness:

This encapsulates the core theology of the This encapsulates the core theology of the gospel: each and every person so matters to gospel: each and every person so matters to God that God the Son became a human being God that God the Son became a human being to seek us.to seek us.


Since the 18Since the 18thth century, every effort to establish century, every effort to establish our worth on a nonreligious basis have failed. our worth on a nonreligious basis have failed.

Our indefeasible value makes sense only by Our indefeasible value makes sense only by reference to God, who so loves us that he sent reference to God, who so loves us that he sent his Son into the world as a humble human his Son into the world as a humble human being to seek us, teach us, and to die on our being to seek us, teach us, and to die on our behalf (John 3:16).behalf (John 3:16).


Each of us is of irreplaceable value Each of us is of irreplaceable value only only because of God's love for each of us. because of God's love for each of us.

Only to God Only to God does every person matter does every person matter profoundly and unforgettably.profoundly and unforgettably.

Other than God’s love and concern for us, we Other than God’s love and concern for us, we have have no other intrinsic worth to justify our no other intrinsic worth to justify our valuevalue..

THE NATURE THE NATURE OF GODOF GOD

The Holy One The Holy One of Israelof Israel

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel First Revelations About God’s NatureFirst Revelations About God’s Nature

An introduction to Christian theology on the nature of God An introduction to Christian theology on the nature of God usually begins with the doctrine of creation, following the usually begins with the doctrine of creation, following the order of the Bible. order of the Bible.

But the present biblical order does not follow the actual But the present biblical order does not follow the actual chronology of the religion of the people of Israel. chronology of the religion of the people of Israel.

Israel first believed in a God, called Yahweh, who had made Israel first believed in a God, called Yahweh, who had made them a people and was their personal God. them a people and was their personal God.

They were They were henotheisthenotheist, not yet , not yet monotheistmonotheist: they themselves : they themselves had only one God, but they recognized the reality of the had only one God, but they recognized the reality of the gods of other people.gods of other people.

Only sometime in the eighth century did the view prevail Only sometime in the eighth century did the view prevail among Israelites that Yahweh was not just their God, but among Israelites that Yahweh was not just their God, but also the God of all peoples, the one and only God.also the God of all peoples, the one and only God.


To begin an introduction to Christian theology To begin an introduction to Christian theology with creation makes it appear that the Jewish with creation makes it appear that the Jewish faith begins from speculation about the natural faith begins from speculation about the natural world. world.

It would make it appear that belief in God It would make it appear that belief in God began with reflection on the origin of the began with reflection on the origin of the universe, that the Jewish religion is universe, that the Jewish religion is fundamentally a religion based on the natural fundamentally a religion based on the natural world.world.


But the first insights the Hebrews had on the But the first insights the Hebrews had on the nature of God – the first revelations of Godself nature of God – the first revelations of Godself to God's people – were that:to God's people – were that: God was their God was their redeemerredeemer, their , their saviorsavior God was God was HolyHoly

These ideas came These ideas came firstfirst. They must serve as the . They must serve as the foundations of our ideas about the nature of foundations of our ideas about the nature of God.God.

The idea of God as The idea of God as redeemerredeemer and and saviorsavior, , God's deep concerned for God's people, God's deep concerned for God's people, oppressed in Egypt, is the great theological oppressed in Egypt, is the great theological message of the story of the Exodus and the message of the story of the Exodus and the covenant God made with God's people through covenant God made with God's people through Moses.Moses.

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel God as Redeemer and SaviorGod as Redeemer and Savior

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Transcendence and Immanence of GodTranscendence and Immanence of God

Every Sunday we reenact the cry of the Every Sunday we reenact the cry of the seraphs before the throne of God, “Holy, Holy, seraphs before the throne of God, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts; Heaven and earth Holy, Lord God of Hosts; Heaven and earth are full of thy glory,”are full of thy glory,” Taken from Isaiah's vision of God in 742 BC, Taken from Isaiah's vision of God in 742 BC,

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” whole earth is full of his glory.” in Isaiah 6in Isaiah 6


In this great phrase of worship, we proclaim In this great phrase of worship, we proclaim and affirm the dual nature of God as both and affirm the dual nature of God as both transcendent (holy)transcendent (holy) and and immanent (present immanent (present in the world)in the world)..

God is both:God is both: 1. 1. transcendenttranscendent or or holyholy, and, and 2. 2. immanentimmanent or or presentpresent in the world. in the world.

GloryGlory = term for God's presence in the world = term for God's presence in the world When we pray “for the Glory of God” = we are praying When we pray “for the Glory of God” = we are praying

for for God’s presence to be with usGod’s presence to be with us..


God is God is transcendenttranscendent:: Wholly OtherWholly Other A Being not of this world, belonging to an absolutely A Being not of this world, belonging to an absolutely

different realitydifferent reality Whose inmost nature is impenetrable to usWhose inmost nature is impenetrable to us Infinitely beyond our comprehensionInfinitely beyond our comprehension His name (Exodus 3:14):His name (Exodus 3:14):

““I Am Who I Am,” I Am Who I Am,” oror ““I Am What I Am” I Am What I Am” or or ““I Will Be What I Will Be” I Will Be What I Will Be”

only baffles usonly baffles us Yet we do know something of God, for God is also Yet we do know something of God, for God is also

immanentimmanent, , presentpresent in the world in the world


Go back to the analogy of God as a sun.Go back to the analogy of God as a sun. The The transcendencetranscendence or or holinessholiness of God is like the of God is like the

immense energy of a infinite sun.immense energy of a infinite sun. Most of that energy falls elsewhere, profoundly hidden Most of that energy falls elsewhere, profoundly hidden

to us, beyond our comprehension.to us, beyond our comprehension. Its inner being, it interior is impenetrable to us.Its inner being, it interior is impenetrable to us. Just a small portion of that energy could consume, Just a small portion of that energy could consume,

utterly destroy us.utterly destroy us. Only a few rays of that sun are needed to brilliantly Only a few rays of that sun are needed to brilliantly

illumine the earth.illumine the earth. Those few rays are the Those few rays are the immanenceimmanence or or presencepresence – the – the

GloryGlory – of God in this world. – of God in this world.


When we cry every Sunday along with the seraphs When we cry every Sunday along with the seraphs before the throne of God, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God before the throne of God, "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts; Heaven and earth are full of thy glory,"of Hosts; Heaven and earth are full of thy glory,"

We proclaim two theological truths about God:We proclaim two theological truths about God: 1. God is 1. God is transcendenttranscendent or or holyholy. .

So holy our human word for it cannot express the superlative So holy our human word for it cannot express the superlative degree of it, so we vainly repeat the word three times to make up degree of it, so we vainly repeat the word three times to make up for the inadequacy of our languagefor the inadequacy of our language

2. God is 2. God is immanentimmanent or or presentpresent throughout the world. throughout the world. Indeed, "heaven and earth are Indeed, "heaven and earth are fullfull of thy of thy gloryglory"; they are full of "; they are full of

God's presence.God's presence. God makes Godself present to us in our world so that we do have God makes Godself present to us in our world so that we do have

somesome understanding of God. understanding of God.

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel The Holiness of GodThe Holiness of God

When we stand in the sunbeam, we sense something of When we stand in the sunbeam, we sense something of the nature of the sun:the nature of the sun: The intensity and brilliance of its light may impress us.The intensity and brilliance of its light may impress us. Its heat may impress us. Its heat may impress us. It can change how we feel, make us hot, or fill us with the It can change how we feel, make us hot, or fill us with the

gentle optimism and sense of well-being of a sunny day.gentle optimism and sense of well-being of a sunny day. When we sense the When we sense the HolinessHoliness of God through the of God through the GloryGlory

of God, what might we sense about God, what might it of God, what might we sense about God, what might it tell us about God, how might it change us?tell us about God, how might it change us?

We can look to the Bible for stories of those who We can look to the Bible for stories of those who sensed the holiness of God.sensed the holiness of God.

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Moses and the Holiness of GodMoses and the Holiness of God

Exodus 3:1-6: Exodus 3:1-6: Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the Lord saw that he had turned is not burned up." When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.his face, for he was afraid to look at God.

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel The Ark and the Holiness of GodThe Ark and the Holiness of God

1 Chronicles 13 (cf. 2 Sam. 6):1 Chronicles 13 (cf. 2 Sam. 6): The ark was being carried on a cart from its place The ark was being carried on a cart from its place

of storage, driven by Uzzah and his brother. of storage, driven by Uzzah and his brother. When the oxen stumble and the ark was tilting off When the oxen stumble and the ark was tilting off

the cart, Uzzah put his hand on the ark to steady the cart, Uzzah put his hand on the ark to steady it. it.

Immediately he was struck dead Immediately he was struck dead as if the holiness of God was an powerful, as if the holiness of God was an powerful,

incomprehensible force, beneficial but also dangerousincomprehensible force, beneficial but also dangerous

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Isaiah and the Holiness of GodIsaiah and the Holiness of God

Isaiah 6:l-9aIsaiah 6:l-9a: In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord : In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet [nakedness], and with two they flew. they covered their feet [nakedness], and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." The pivots Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory." The pivots [meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain] on the threshold shook at [meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain] on the threshold shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" Then one of the eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" And he who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" And he said, "Go and say to the people: . . ."said, "Go and say to the people: . . ."

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Peter and the Holiness of GodPeter and the Holiness of God

Luke 5:8-10: Luke 5:8-10: When Peter, following Jesus’ advice, makes an When Peter, following Jesus’ advice, makes an

enormous catch of fish, he becomes aware of the enormous catch of fish, he becomes aware of the holiness of Jesus. (Luke [as in 4:14] stresses that holiness of Jesus. (Luke [as in 4:14] stresses that Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit.) Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit.)

Peter then says, Peter then says, “Go away from me, Lord, for “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!” I am a sinful man!” (Luke 5:8)(Luke 5:8)

Jesus answers Jesus answers “Do not be afraid; from now “Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching people”on you will be catching people”

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Aspects of HolinessAspects of Holiness

Experiencing God’s holiness can be:Experiencing God’s holiness can be: an awe-inspiring experience of a phenomenon that an awe-inspiring experience of a phenomenon that

both repels and attracts,both repels and attracts, a a mysterium tremendum et fascinans.mysterium tremendum et fascinans. The Holy God is separate, wholly Other, The Holy God is separate, wholly Other,

incomprehensible, transcendent.incomprehensible, transcendent. It can be beneficial, but is also potentially It can be beneficial, but is also potentially

dangerous, even lethal.dangerous, even lethal.


There is also a deep ethical dimension to the There is also a deep ethical dimension to the experience of God’s holiness:experience of God’s holiness: The awareness of God’s holiness caused Isaiah and The awareness of God’s holiness caused Isaiah and

Peter to both become aware of their sinfulness. Peter to both become aware of their sinfulness. The Holy God is a being of such infinitely pure love The Holy God is a being of such infinitely pure love

and goodness and justice, a being so utterly devoid of and goodness and justice, a being so utterly devoid of evil, that sensing God’s holiness makes obvious our evil, that sensing God’s holiness makes obvious our own sinfulness, the impurity and selfishness of our own sinfulness, the impurity and selfishness of our souls, places where love shines dully at best, where souls, places where love shines dully at best, where evil is allowed a room (or a mansion).evil is allowed a room (or a mansion).


But coupled with this sense of our But coupled with this sense of our uncleanness, our impurity and sinfulness, we uncleanness, our impurity and sinfulness, we also see:also see: an awareness of God’s love and graciousness, and an awareness of God’s love and graciousness, and

forgiveness,forgiveness, an invitation to carry out in some small way the an invitation to carry out in some small way the

will of the Holy God, a being of infinite, will of the Holy God, a being of infinite, incomprehensible love, goodness, and justice.incomprehensible love, goodness, and justice.


We saw this in vision of Isaiah:We saw this in vision of Isaiah: Isaiah 6:6-9: Isaiah 6:6-9: Then one of the seraphs flew to me, Then one of the seraphs flew to me,

holding a live coal that had been taken from the holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" And he us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" And he said, "Go and say to the people: . . ."said, "Go and say to the people: . . ."

and Isaiah is called to give relief to the poor, the widows, and Isaiah is called to give relief to the poor, the widows, orphans, and more generally for justice in government, orphans, and more generally for justice in government, commerce, and social relations.commerce, and social relations.


Isaiah’s overwhelming sense of moral uncleanness Isaiah’s overwhelming sense of moral uncleanness before God is answered by:before God is answered by: a gracious cleansing,a gracious cleansing, followed by a new capacity to hear God’s word,followed by a new capacity to hear God’s word, a spontaneous response of willing obedience,a spontaneous response of willing obedience, a commission to speak God’s word to the Israelite nation,a commission to speak God’s word to the Israelite nation, a call to give relief to the poor, the widows, orphans, and a call to give relief to the poor, the widows, orphans, and

more generally for justice in government, commerce, and more generally for justice in government, commerce, and social relations.social relations.

Similarly, after Peter confesses he is too sinful to be in Similarly, after Peter confesses he is too sinful to be in the presence of Jesus, Jesus answers the presence of Jesus, Jesus answers "Do not be "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching afraid; from now on you will be catching people" people" (Luke 5:10b)(Luke 5:10b)

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Summary: Experiences of God’s HolinessSummary: Experiences of God’s Holiness Aspects of the experience of God’s Holiness Aspects of the experience of God’s Holiness

found in Scripture:found in Scripture: An experience of awe, deeply attractive yet fearsome, An experience of awe, deeply attractive yet fearsome,

even dangerous.even dangerous. A perception of God’s infinite goodness and purity A perception of God’s infinite goodness and purity

that overwhelms one with an awareness of one’s own that overwhelms one with an awareness of one’s own sinfulness and impurity.sinfulness and impurity.

A sense of God’s mercy and forgiveness.A sense of God’s mercy and forgiveness. A sense of God’s power and righteousness that A sense of God’s power and righteousness that

manifests in one’s empowerment and commission to manifests in one’s empowerment and commission to go forth and seek justice for God’s people.go forth and seek justice for God’s people.

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Justice and the Holy GodJustice and the Holy God

Now we have seen that part of the experience of the Now we have seen that part of the experience of the HolinessHoliness of God is feeling of willing obedience to do the of God is feeling of willing obedience to do the will of the Holy God, a being of infinite, incomprehensible will of the Holy God, a being of infinite, incomprehensible love, goodness, and justice. We are invited like Isaiah to love, goodness, and justice. We are invited like Isaiah to seek seek justicejustice..

In Luke 10, a lawyer asks Jesus, In Luke 10, a lawyer asks Jesus, “And who is my “And who is my neighbor?” neighbor?”

Jesus answers with the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke Jesus answers with the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), expanding the Jewish restricted view of neighbor 10:25-37), expanding the Jewish restricted view of neighbor as a fellow Jew to include anyone who is in deep distress.as a fellow Jew to include anyone who is in deep distress.

Question: Question: if someone today passes by a man who has been if someone today passes by a man who has been robbed and left as a naked, battered piece of flesh, have robbed and left as a naked, battered piece of flesh, have they violate the injured man's rights? Have they committed they violate the injured man's rights? Have they committed an act of injustice?an act of injustice?

The Holy One of Israel The Holy One of Israel Justice and the Holy GodJustice and the Holy God

In our secular world, we would not take such a person to court for In our secular world, we would not take such a person to court for committing a terrible injustice. committing a terrible injustice.

But theology tells us the New Testament view of But theology tells us the New Testament view of justicejustice is deeper is deeper than our secular society’s.than our secular society’s.

It is unjust to allow what is of absolute value to be wretched, It is unjust to allow what is of absolute value to be wretched, mangled, twisted, neglected, unnoticed, unwanted, resented, hated. mangled, twisted, neglected, unnoticed, unwanted, resented, hated. Therefore, the Therefore, the Holy God Holy God obliges us obliges us to respond to those who are in to respond to those who are in

distressdistress That is exactly was Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31-36:That is exactly was Jesus tells us in Matthew 25:31-36:

Jesus made the basis of the separation of the sheep and goats (the Jesus made the basis of the separation of the sheep and goats (the righteous and unrighteous at the last judgment) those who gave drink righteous and unrighteous at the last judgment) those who gave drink to the thirsty, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited prisoners to the thirsty, fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and visited prisoners — and those who did not do so — and those who did not do so

The “sheep” are The “sheep” are notnot called merciful, but called merciful, but righteousrighteous or or justjust According to Jesus, they have performed acts of According to Jesus, they have performed acts of justicejustice

Next Time (March 20):Next Time (March 20):The Nature of God: The Nature of God: The Maker of Heaven and The Maker of Heaven and

Earth. The Limits of Science. Earth. The Limits of Science. What is Meant by “God”?What is Meant by “God”?

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