In this engaging discussion, Ronni Kurtz, a theology professor at Cedarville University and author of "Light Unapproachable," delves into the theme of divine incomprehensibility. He explores how our limitations in understanding God should inspire joy rather than despair. Kurtz underscores the importance of theological humility and the role of prayer in seeking deeper knowledge. He also discusses key biblical narratives and the balance between God's transcendence and our attempts to know Him, emphasizing the value of historical theology in contemporary understanding.
The podcast emphasizes that divine incomprehensibility invites believers to approach God with joy rather than despair through His gracious self-revelation.
It challenges misconceptions about God's nature, clarifying that incomprehensibility does not preclude meaningful knowledge of Him and warns against theological despair and idolatry.
Deep dives
The Task of Theology and Incomprehensibility
The discussion centers around the significance of incomprehensibility within the realm of theology. It emphasizes that the journey of understanding God is intricate, filled with both challenges and profound revelations. In incomprehensibility, there is an acknowledgment of God's nature as wholly other than His creation, which fosters a sense of awe and wonder among theologians and believers. The speaker contextualizes these conversations through personal anecdotes and experiences, asserting that the study of theology is an endeavor rooted in a desire to know a God who is ultimately beyond full human understanding.
Misconceptions About Divine Incomprehensibility
The podcast addresses several misconceptions surrounding the concept of divine incomprehensibility, clarifying that it does not imply a complete lack of knowledge about God. One key misconception is the belief that if God is incomprehensible, then no meaningful knowledge of Him is attainable, which is inaccurate. The discussion also refutes the idea that incomprehensibility is solely a byproduct of humanity's fallen nature, noting that even unfallen beings cannot fully grasp the essence of God. The importance of recognizing these misconceptions aids in fostering a proper understanding of God's character and the relationship between the Creator and the created.
Navigating the Ditches of Theology
The conversation emphasizes the necessity of balance in understanding God's incomprehensibility to avoid theological despair and idolatry. Theological despair arises when one perceives God to be so transcendent that they feel unable to approach Him meaningfully, while idolatry occurs when one attempts to confine God within human understanding, thereby simplifying His nature. Both pitfalls lead to distorted views of God and hinder genuine theological engagement. Thus, the speaker encourages listeners to appreciate the mystery and majesty of God while also recognizing their ability to meaningfully know Him through His self-revelation.
Implications for Theology: Ontology, Language, and Posture
The podcast outlines three implications for the task of theology: ontology, language, and posture, all stemming from the doctrine of divine incomprehensibility. Ontologically, the distinction between Creator and creature plays a crucial role in understanding that God is inherently different in kind rather than size. In terms of language, the discussion highlights the necessity of accommodation, meaning that God reveals Himself in ways suitable for human understanding while acknowledging that our language about Him is ultimately analogical. Lastly, the call for a humble posture is vital, as it reflects the recognition that we are recipients of God's grace in our pursuit to comprehend His incomprehensibility.
In this episode, Caleb is joined by Ronni Kurtz (PhD, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary) professor of theology at Cedarville University to discuss his newest book, Light Unapproachable: Divine Incomprehensibility and the Task of Theology. Together they discuss how our inability to see God in his totality should not lead us to despair, but rather; through God's gracious accommodation, to joy in the reality that we can learn to speak of God faithfully, truthfully, and prayerfully with the help of Scripture and faithful voices from our theological heritage.