A CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE

COLOSSIANS 1:28–2:4

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

(Colossians 2:2–3).

When James writes to us that we should ask God for wisdom, he has in mind the insights we need to carry us through times of trial. But in a larger way, Christians need wisdom and understanding for all of life, for all of life is a trial. This is particularly true in our modern world, where we are assaulted on every side by vain and worthless philosophies dressed in rich apparel. For this reason, we shall devote the rest of this week and all of next week to a consideration of Christian philosophy.

We begin with a brief look at the classical Christian view of God and the world. Christianity teaches that God is transcendent and also immanent. God’s transcendence means that He is above all things, outside of time and space, because He created all things. God cannot be limited by anything outside Himself, because He created all that exists outside of Himself. He transcends all things. There is a critical difference between creation and the Creator.

God is also immanent. There are three English words we need to keep separate. Eminent means outstanding as in an eminent leader. Imminent means impending as in an imminent arrival. The word we are considering, immanent, means within. God is immanent in His creation. He is near to it. In fact, God is nearer to us than we are to ourselves. God acts in all things and is supremely interested in all things.

In a sense, the universe God created is a garment for Him to wear. It is His temple, and He chooses to reside within it. God acts throughout history, providentially controlling each and every event. To redeem estranged humanity, God became incarnate as a human being, taking on the substance of the created universe. To empower redeemed humanity, God the Holy Spirit is active in the universe.

Modern man has lost any sense of God’s nearness, but Christianity teaches that God reveals Himself through every single thing He has ever brought into being, whether a created object or historical event (Psalm 19). Moreover, God is near to us because He is a God who speaks and who writes; He wrote the Bible, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, He speaks the Bible through the preaching of the church to every generation of human beings.

CORAM DEO

Job 17–20

Coram Deo means “before the face of God.” This phrase highlights that God is always present with us and we are always acting on a stage before Him. In prayer, we do obeisance to Him. Today’s lesson is a meditation that should lead you to draw near to Him. Do so for He wants you to come, and calls you.

For further study: Psalm 139:7–12 • Isa. 55:6–11 • Jer. 23:23–24

thursday

october