Friday, January 4, 2008
should i be afraid to converse with God?
it should be noted that when people in the OT encountered either God or one of his messengers in conversation, they assumed their death was imminent. that sounds unpleasant. i don't know how to resolve the tension between a 'terrifying God' and an 'approachable God'. what do you think about that?
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I know my New Testament much better than my Old Testament, but I must admit that I was not immediately aware that OT people assumed death was imminent when they talked with God. I think of Moses and God and the burning bush, taking off his sandals, etc.
In the NT, I'm aware that the vision of Revelation typically has the 24 elders prostrating before God and praising him.
At the same time, I'm conscious of a notable difference between God as depicted in the OT and God as depicted in the NT. The God of the OT is often biblically depicted as an angry God, while the God of the NT is often depicted as loving and forgiving.
I'm sure that approaching God 'in the flesh' would be an ominous, if not terrifying, experience for anyone.
Approaching God in prayer seems to be a "safe" experience since we are saved from the bright lights, fire, loud noises ("Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!"), etc.
I'm just rambling here. But I guess I question the proposition that there is tension between a terrifying God and an approachable God. No?
i am thinking of manoah and his wife, parents of samson, judges 13:22: 'we are doomed to die...we have seen God'; israelites at the foot of mt sinai...
I have an update ...
I think I told you about the guy at the Nazarene church who had reportedly been "completely healed of his cancer."
When I first heard that, my inner response was, "He'll be dead by Christmas." (It was October when he was pronounced healed.)
Update: He died around Jan. 25. I was a month off.
I have to admit to having this question: "Was my lack of faith the cause of his death?"
I certainly doubt it, but I'm not exactly proud of my smug disbelief, either.
Christians tend to be so proud of their great faith, assuming that it has something to do with causing miracles. I do believe that God can do anything he wants to do.
But in my experience, most stuff just happens. It's futile to attribute it to God ... or to deny God's involvement. The truth is, we just don't know.
Period.
I agree that while I'm still in this physical body the thought of seeing God face to face would be ominous. But what I see lacking from your conversation is any mention of Christ. I trust completely that when God sees me, he sees the Holiness of Christ. I fear not.
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