[Theology Thursday] Knowledge and Knowing
Do not pass out. I repeat, do NOT pass out. I realize that this is the first non-'bot-generated post in a while, but it couldn't be helped. I moved to a new city, state, and job. It has taken me this long to feel settled enough to even be comfortable thinking about writing again.
So, anyway, I was in the shower this morning getting ready for work when I was thinking about geeky-stuff. The Princess Bride and I share a handful of interests, and one is we like to watch movies together. One of our favorites is Night at the Museum. She likes it, I think, because its a cute, family-friendly story that also seeks to encourage education. I like it because I'm a history geek and I love the thought that 'history comes alive' at the museum.
In the midst of soaping up my mind went , naturally of course, to the scene where Larry the night watchman is talking to a docent who worked at the museum taking little kids on tours. She tells him that she is fascinated with the character of Sacagawea, the Native American guide who led Lewis and Clark on their famed expedition. The docent then laments that she will probably have to abandon her studies because she cannot get any further in knowing her subject. At the end of the movie, she is introduced to Sacagawea the animated museum exhibit, and the implication is that she can continue her studies because she can truly get to know the historical person.
This is a great (albeit limited, for a number of reasons) illustration of what I find true in many cases of folks (theist and atheist alike) who have tried to know God or Jesus. There is a wealth of material out there about Jesus, but the only way to truly know Him is to get to know him, personally and intimately (not like that!).
I had to complete a report from this past Bible Conference for The Salvation Army US Southern Territory. One of the speakers, Dr. John Ostwalt, reminded us that God wants us to get to know Him by name. Dr. Ostwalt did not mean God's 'label,' but His name as in His character, His nature. God wants us to get to know him as we would our best friend, or close relative.
Only then can we truly know God, and not just be filled with knowledge about Him.
So, anyway, I was in the shower this morning getting ready for work when I was thinking about geeky-stuff. The Princess Bride and I share a handful of interests, and one is we like to watch movies together. One of our favorites is Night at the Museum. She likes it, I think, because its a cute, family-friendly story that also seeks to encourage education. I like it because I'm a history geek and I love the thought that 'history comes alive' at the museum.
In the midst of soaping up my mind went , naturally of course, to the scene where Larry the night watchman is talking to a docent who worked at the museum taking little kids on tours. She tells him that she is fascinated with the character of Sacagawea, the Native American guide who led Lewis and Clark on their famed expedition. The docent then laments that she will probably have to abandon her studies because she cannot get any further in knowing her subject. At the end of the movie, she is introduced to Sacagawea the animated museum exhibit, and the implication is that she can continue her studies because she can truly get to know the historical person.
This is a great (albeit limited, for a number of reasons) illustration of what I find true in many cases of folks (theist and atheist alike) who have tried to know God or Jesus. There is a wealth of material out there about Jesus, but the only way to truly know Him is to get to know him, personally and intimately (not like that!).
I had to complete a report from this past Bible Conference for The Salvation Army US Southern Territory. One of the speakers, Dr. John Ostwalt, reminded us that God wants us to get to know Him by name. Dr. Ostwalt did not mean God's 'label,' but His name as in His character, His nature. God wants us to get to know him as we would our best friend, or close relative.
Only then can we truly know God, and not just be filled with knowledge about Him.