Thursday, August 18, 2011

The Contemplation of God

Theological Thursdays


"The proper study of the Christian is the Godhead. The highest science, the loftiest speculation, the mightiest philosophy, which can engage the attention of a child of God is the name, nature, the person, the doings, and the existence of the great God which he calls his Father.


There is something exceedingly improving to the mind in a contemplation of the Divinity. It is a subject so vast, that all our thoughts are lost in its immensity; so deep, that our pride is drowned in its infinity. Other subjects we can comprehend and grapple with; in them we feel a kind of self-contentment, and we go on our way with the thought, 'Behold I am wise.' 


But when we come to this master science, finding that our plumbline cannot sound its depth, and that our eagle eye cannot see its height, we turn away with the thought, 'I am but of yesterday and know nothing.'"


This was Charles H. Spurgeon's introduction to his message, The Immutability of God,  on January 7th, 1855 in the New Park Street Chapel, Southwark, England on Malachi 3:6 at just 19 years old.


It should not surprise any of us to realize that our God is incomprehensible. The more that we contemplate our God we realize as Zophar:


"Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven - what can you do? Deeper than Sheol - what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea." (Job 11:"7-9, ESV)


Borrowing from A. W. Pink, we should not let the character and nature of God stop us from mastering what God has revealed about Himself to us. We certainly won't come to a full or complete understanding of God but we should work hard at learning all that we can about our God. This is how we come to appreciate Him and His characteristics.


Spurgeon also said, "The most excellent study for expanding the soul is the science of Christ and Him crucified and the knowledge of the Godhead in the glorious Trinity."


What are you doing to contemplate and comprehend the nature and character of God?


What have you read or are reading that is giving you a greater perspective and appreciation for our God?


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Join us on Theological Thursdays as I will continue to offer theological truths by unlocking the meaning of various words, terms, and definitions through the posting of the attributes of God, word studies, and events from church history. As both a pastor and theologian I am passionate about the accurate teaching of biblical doctrine.



6 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

At the moment Gregg I am not reading as I am busy getting my new book up together, I know that my sound awful but the days seem to be getting shorter .

Did you know that George Jones is celebrating his 80th birthday at The Grand Ole Opry in Septemeber?

Getting back to your post, I did enjoy reading it as I always do and as I said before I always seem to learn something,

Have a good day.
Yvonne.

Persis said...

Reading: Ephesians with the women in our church, James verse by verse on Sundays, and "The World Tilting Gospel" by Dan Phillips that tackles the Gospel (including the doctrine of God, man, sin, atonement, etc.)

Taking time to think about the above and how it impacts my world view and my day-to-day life.

Josh Litton said...

Good thoughts.

Darlene said...

Those are some very profound words from such a young Charles Spurgeon. I have a set of commentaries, "Thru the Bible" by J. Vernon McGee, that I'm reading along with the Bible. I'm halfway through the book of Esther.

Great post.

Petra said...

Reading Ezra, Acts, and Piper's The Hidden Smile of God. And just yesterday, at prayer time I was overwhelmed by God's immensity compared to our comprehending and appreciating it. Hard to put to words... But this article seems right on time.

Arlee Bird said...

Spurgeon's statement could have been written today and sounded current. Last night I was watching a show on the Science Network about space and other galaxies and that was so difficult to comprehend and then I started thinking about how God created all of that and space seemed almost simple compared to the vast complexity of God our Creator.


Lee
Tossing It Out