Reflection for the Week - November 6

We’re hard pressed to paint a definitive picture of God, but instead of being disappointed about this, we should embrace the privilege of unknowing. In this case, there just might be a need to exchange idealism for realism – a hermeneutical realism, when it comes to knowing God. Not only does God have numerous names, but God is also referred to in a multitude of ways in the biblical text. There’s a real diversity of theological representations here that don’t settle into a nice comfortable package. Debate then as to who God is happens in the text itself. Further, as we explore the natural world, we continue to be amazed by its seemingly unending magnitude and its delicate fragility. This raises plenty of theological possibilities, leaving us in a position of having to wait and see. Thus, whether we delve into the biblical text or plumb the depths of nature, I’d wager God is indeed a mysterious character. For more, read our book From Evolution to Eden.