Thaddeus Williams, a Biola professor and author of 'Revering God,' discusses the challenges many face in finding joy in their relationship with God. He emphasizes the transformative power of reverence and how it can reshape our understanding of gender, marriage, and true joy amid societal pressures. The conversation highlights practical steps for deepening reverence, including communal worship and regular Bible reading. Williams argues for a return to foundational beliefs to navigate modern life's complexities with resilience and hope.
Understanding reverence for God significantly enhances our relationship with Him and fosters deeper joy, transcending mere surface-level contentment.
Engaging with nature and Scripture can cultivate a sense of awe that positively impacts both our spiritual and psychological well-being.
Deep dives
The Chief End of Man: Knowing and Glorifying God
The ultimate purpose of humanity, according to the Christian tradition, is to know and glorify God. Many individuals, including Christians, often have an inadequate view of God, which can hinder their ability to experience true joy in their relationship with Him. The discussion emphasizes that our perceptions of God fundamentally shape our understanding of significant issues, such as the meaning of gender and marriage. Thus, cultivating a robust and biblical view of God is essential for glorifying Him appropriately and addressing deeper societal concerns.
The Importance of Awe and Reverence
Revering God is rooted in the frequent biblical command to fear and be awestruck by the Lord, which is linked to positive psychological outcomes. Research indicates that experiencing awe can lead to increased kindness, altruism, and improved cognitive function, highlighting the necessity of incorporating awe into daily life. Nature and the Scriptures serve as primary sources of this awe, with the Psalmist's requests for an enlarged heart illustrating the need for spiritual awakening. By actively engaging with both creation and biblical text, individuals can foster a deeper sense of wonder and reverence for God.
The Reliability of God and Enjoyment in Faith
The discussion underscores the alarming decline in adherence to basic Christian beliefs among church leaders, suggesting a crisis in understanding the reliability of God and His Word. As many individuals equate happiness with fleeting pleasure, the conversation prompts a reevaluation of what it means to truly enjoy God, which transcends surface-level contentment. Emphasizing that genuine joy in God can coexist with life's challenges, the narrative urges a return to fundamental truths found in Scripture. By reorienting their focus towards God and engaging in communal worship, believers can cultivate a meaningful and fulfilling relationship with the divine.
Why is it often difficult to find pleasure and joy in God? If the chief end of man is to know and enjoy God, why do so many of us fall short? In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Biola professor Thaddeus Williams about these questions and his new book Revering God. Dr. Williams argues that a deep-dive into the theological understanding of the reverence of God can transform our relationship with God and allow us to live in awe-inspired devotion.
Thaddeus J. Williams (Ph.D., Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) loves enlarging students’ understanding and enjoyment of Jesus at Biola University in La Mirada, CA, where he serves as associate professor of Systematic Theology for Talbot School of Theology. He has also taught Philosophy and Literature at Saddleback College, Jurisprudence at Trinity Law School, and as a lecturer in Worldview Studies at L’Abri Fellowships in Switzerland and Holland, and Ethics for Blackstone Legal Fellowship the Federalist Society in Washington D.C. He resides in Orange County, CA with his wife and four kids.
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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.
To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
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