Conspiracy Commentaries: Conversations ft. Trevor Hudson // on “Re-Visioning God and His World” by Dallas Willard
Jul 26, 2022
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In this episode, Trevor Hudson, a teacher and author, discusses his initial reaction to Dallas Willard's view of God in The Divine Conspiracy. They explore the concept of God's joy in the midst of suffering and reflect on their own doubts and fears. They also share personal experiences with Dallas Willard and delve into the significance of death and the portrayal of compassion in Scripture. They discuss how images of Jesus shape our journey and end with gratitude for the listeners' support.
Our perception of God greatly influences the quality of our lives, and it is important to reflect on what we think about God and how it affects us.
Shifting our default theologies regarding God requires recognizing and acknowledging our current beliefs, reflecting on personal experiences of love and joy, and embracing the wonder and mystery of God's nature.
Deep dives
The Impact of Our Beliefs About God on Our Lives
Our perception of God greatly influences the quality of our lives. This belief is not limited to children but also applies to adults. The book 'The Divine Conspiracy' by Dallas Willard explores this topic in chapter three. It is important to reflect on what we think about God and how it affects our lives. This introspection can be initiated by questioning our immediate thoughts about God when faced with difficult situations. Recognizing and understanding our default theology is crucial. By examining our personal experiences of love, enjoyment, and the many gifts of life, we can reshape our beliefs about God. Through this process, we can develop a deeper understanding of God as a joyous being and experience a transformation in our relationship with Him.
The Journey of Shifting Default Theologies
To shift our default theologies, it is vital to start by recognizing and acknowledging what we currently believe about God. This involves paying attention to our immediate thoughts about God when life doesn't go as planned or during times of hardship. Reflecting on personal experiences of being loved and finding joy can help reshape our perceptions of God. Understanding that every day is filled with gifts, including the gift of our own existence, can also contribute to a new perspective on God. By embracing the wonder and joy of life and associating it with God's enjoyment, we can begin to transform our understanding of Him. Cultivating practices that bring joy, such as dancing or other activities that elicit happiness, can reinforce the reassessment of our default theologies and deepen our connection with God.
The Role of Human Experience, Jesus, and Scripture in Understanding God
Exploring human experiences, especially moments of deep joy or sorrow, can serve as a starting point for gaining insight into God's nature. By observing how love is expressed and experienced in our lives, we can comprehend God's boundless love. Additionally, studying the life and teachings of Jesus can provide profound insights into God's character. As Jesus embodies God's nature, His words and actions reveal the compassion, joy, and sorrow that exist within God. The language used in the Bible, particularly in the Psalms, can help us grasp the vastness and mystery of God. However, it is important to recognize and embrace the unknowable aspects when speaking about God, as God's essence goes beyond our comprehension.
Embracing Joy and Reevaluating Our Default Theologies
Fostering joy and shifting our default theologies requires a conscious effort to prioritize experiences of love and enjoyment in our lives. Recognizing that God's love surpasses human love can lead to a more profound understanding of His joyous nature. Reflecting on how the gifts of life, such as our own existence, are evidence of God's desire for us can reshape our perception of Him. By actively engaging in practices that bring joy and celebrating the wonders of life, we can heal and transform our default theologies. It is essential to approach our understanding of God with a sense of awe and wonder, recognizing that there will always be a mysterious and unfathomable aspect to His nature.
Most of us have as adults picked up a view of God. Even if we don't believe in God, we have a view of the God we don't believe in. Dallas Willard sets out to unsettle our view of God by insisting that he's about as joyous as anyone can be. In this episode Michael Stewart Robb sits down with Dallas's friend Trevor Hudson, a teacher and author who didn't react benignly to this section of The Divine Conspiracy when he first read it. That reaction was actually common, says Dallas. We also talk about whether there might be more to say about God's heart regarding human suffering, more than just, "He's full of joy." BE INFORMED and PRAY for us better by signing up for the Sanctus newsletter: https://sanctus.institute
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