Some Thoughts

Today we were to take up part I of the Doctrine of God (The Being of God), but didn’t because of some other (more important) activities going on at the same time (and in the same room), and also for lack of a quorum. Instead we discussed some questions that had come up regarding the Westminster Confession of Faith Chapter I section i (WCF I.i.), and chapter II section i (WCF II.i.)

• Regarding WCF I.i, the last phrase was a bit of a stumbling block: “…those former ways of God’s revealing his will to his people having ceased.” We talked again about the necessity and sufficiency of Scripture, and that what the Westminster Divines meant was that God is no longer writing the Bible through his OT prophets, through the words of his Son, nor the words of his apostle-prophets in the NT. What has “ceased” is the writing of the absolutely authoritative divine words of God that are morally binding on the conscience of the universal church. That is, what God wants his entire church to know about him, about mankind, about the covenants, the person and work of Christ Jesus, the future, etc.–all this is already fully revealed in Scripture. There is no more “continuing revelation” to the church as a whole. (See Heb. 1:1-2, 2 [show] Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, [2]but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (ESV) [2]but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. (ESV)
  :1-4.) This is not talking about “illumination,” which is when what has been revealed to the church suddenly gets “revealed” (in a sense) to us personally, and it “clicks.” This is also not talking about private, specific directions meant for individuals but not for the church (as in a call to serve in a certain church, a call to a particular mission field, an impression to pray for someone at 2am, etc.). This may be legitimate (each must be weighed according to Scripture), but they do not become Revelation 23 [show]ERROR: No passage found for your query.
  ; they’re for us personally, not for the entire church. But big picture, the Word of God is God’s will for my life. We should be wary of seeking anything further, though we should be open if it should come (Acts 17:11 [show] [11]Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (ESV)
  ; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20 [show] [16]Rejoice always, [17]pray without ceasing, [18]give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. [19]Do not quench the Spirit. [20]Do not despise prophecies, (ESV)
  ).
• And regarding WCF II.i., there were two questions:
  1. The first question was about the notion that God is “without…body.” The objection was, since we are created in the image of God, we must look like God, so God must have a body too. But “God is spirit,” (John 4:24 [show] [24]God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth." (ESV)
     ), and has no material body–though he may have some kind of ‘appearance’ like us–it’s non-corporeal. We may never know exactly (Ex. 33:18-20 [show] [18]Moses said, "Please show me your glory." [19]And he said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name 'The LORD.' And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. [20]But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live." (ESV)
     ), for each of his attributes is infinite. When the bible speaks of God’s having “ears,” “hands,” a “heart,” a “strong right arm,” etc. he’s speaking in our language using images we can understand. No image in the material world could do his glory justice (Ex. 20:4 [show] [4]"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (ESV)
     ; Deut. 5:8 [show] [8]"'You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. (ESV)
     ). At least, not until Jesus; for “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…” (Heb. 1:3 [show] [3]He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, (ESV)
     ), “He is the image of the invisible God…” (Col. 1:15 [show] [15]He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. (ESV)
     ), and he said “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:7-9 [show] [7]If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." [8]Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us." [9]Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? (ESV)
     ). Of course, Jesus does have a “true body.” He “took on flesh” when he became “like one of us,” and continues in the flesh today. (Imagine! Transcendence became Immanence! “God with us!”) But having “a true body” is not essential to the being of God, or he would’ve always had one. “God is Spirit;” immaterial, and thus has no locality in time or space–he is eternal and immense–boundless. He’s always everywhere equally.
  2. The second question was about the notion that God is “without…passions.” We agreed that God is certainly passionate about his glory, about justice, about his Son Jesus, about his people (who are his “bride”), and about many other things. The Westminster Divines could’ve meant that God is not subject to fickle, unpredictable, whimsical, fitful roller-coaster like emotions that lead him to make rash and impulsive decisions, because he’s clearly not like us in that way. His will and his actions are always good, right, wise, perfect and planned. He’s “a God of order,” (1 Cor. 14 [show] Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. [2]For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. [3]On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. [4]The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church. [5]Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up. [6]Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? [7]If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? [8]And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? [9]So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. [10]There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning, [11]but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. [12]So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church. [13]Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. [14]For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. [15]What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also. [16]Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? [17]For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up. [18]I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. [19]Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue. [20]Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature. [21]In the Law it is written, "By people of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord." [22]Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers. [23]If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds? [24]But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, [25]the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you. [26]What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up. [27]If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret. [28]But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God. [29]Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. [30]If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent. [31]For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged, [32]and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. [33]For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, [34]the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. [35]If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. [36]Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached? [37]If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord. [38]If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized. [39]So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. [40]But all things should be done decently and in order. (ESV)
     ) but that does not mean that he’s “without…passion” in the sense of intense positive regard (or, ‘approbation’). He’s a jealous God; jealous for his name, and for his people. But, given the scripture proof they used, and its meaning, they may have really meant to affirm God’s impassibility, in which case, they were clearly wrong.

So that’s what we talked about instead. Next week: Doctrine of God I (The Being of God). Your thoughts are welcome!