I like the book of Job and I like the TNIV (Today's New International Version).
The second verse of the passage I am to teach tonight in Bible class is as follows (Job 38:2):
NIV-> Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
TNIV-> Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?
I am no reader of Hebrew; therefore, I have no idea about the nuances of meaning in the original. Nevertheless, I prefer the TNIV reading here.
The words of man can obscure the plans of God. Many would spring from this passage into a warning to avoid theology and other sorts of "biblical scholarship" because it all amounts to nothing more than words of men that obscure the "plain teachings"/plans of God.
Not so fast.
The writer of Job is very, very interested in theology. The book of Job is a challenge to the theological assumptions of its day. However, the author is not condemning the act of thinking about how God works (which is what theology really is). The author is highlighting the fact that bad thinking about God, specifically the communication of such bad thinking can counter the real work of God.
Ultimately, (at least it is my understanding) the author is calling us to a much deeper appreciation of the mystery of God. There is much about God's being and His work that is beyond human understanding. The practical point in all this is the need to recognize our limitations. In thinking about God, be always mindful of the limited nature of your own understanding. When we speak, as if we understand, about things we really do not understand, we are in danger of obscuring the plans of God. Job, amidst great trials and tribulation, fell guilty of this to a degree. God rebukes him, but quickly transitions to blessing him.
In many areas of life, we understand and expect that folks know their limitations. We expect physicians and counselors to make appropriate referrals when the situation is beyond their expertise. We appreciate and respect when a person admits that they do not know the answer to a question posed to them. Why to teenagers have more car accidents than older adults? Because they tend to drive beyond their capacity to control.
There is a lesson here for us religious folk. We could probably spend a little more time coming to grips with the limitedness of our understanding of the things of God.
What do you think?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Thoughts from the book of Job
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4 comments:
Great lesson last night, Jason!
I think that coming to the realization that we are human and God is God....that we are not in control but He is, is the most important thing we need to learn. Like each member of a team must learn to play within the boundaries set for them, we, too must learn to stay where we are suppose to be and move only when and where God says.
In realizing we are incapable of answering the things of God that He has not made clear, we are in effect, humbling ourselves before Him. No one wants to appear to be without knowledge and this is incredibly difficult for us because for some reason, we all want to be able to explain to "the ignorant" what "it" is all about....as though we are something great and all knowing. This is not our place in "the game". Stepping outside of the boundaries set for us, will only cause us to "foul".
So, to me, the book of Job is about many different kinds of things, but in this case, it is about humility and acknowledging the only One who is in control. During class last night, I thought about speaking up and making a comment about what I thought this book was about. I was going to say "It is enough to know that God is God and we are not."
I can't help but think that this is what God is trying to say when he speaks to Job and questions him. God tells Job just exactly who He is and what He is capable of while Job is busy complaining about stuff.
In all that we are....in all that we do....in all.....it HAS to be enough that God is God and He is good all the time!
Ok...there's my comment from last night. ;)
Jennifer
Thanks for the comment.
There is a fancy expression that I like - "epistemic humility"
It denotes the virtue of recognizing the limits one's capacity to know. There are tremendous applications to this idea applied to our New Testament "knowledge". Talking along these lines about lends some to think I am being depressive, skeptical, or even cynical. That is not the case at all. Epistemic humility is freeing. We can be free to embrace what God will do in our life and congregation and, as Steve said well last Sunday, get on with the Mission.
Have a good day!
I don't feel you are being depressive, skeptical or cynical at all. I personally have gained a great deal of "understanding" listening to you and reading what you have to say about a variety of things. (Thank you, by the way.)
It truly is wonderful and as you said freeing to have this kind of humility. We don't HAVE to know everything and I happen to believe that we can be alot happier by NOT knowing some things.
There are things in this world that I am aware of and it causes me a great deal of anguish which most often causes alot of sobbing tears for me and very deep prayers to God. I honestly would love it if I didn't know about these things that bother me so much.
I believe God knows exactly how much we can handle and how much we can't. In all honesty, I really think he is protecting us by keeping certain things from us. A good parent doesn't tell their child every single detail about what could happen to them if they were kidknapped. They simply express a great concern toward the child and tell them they need to hold mommy and daddy's hand while out in public so no one will take them away. The point is made clear....hold your parent's hand or something bad might happen....without actually giving the gory details of what could happen after the child is kidknapped. It would be way too much information for a child to process and cause a great detail of distress and possibly cause terrible mental and emotional problems as they grow.
That is a simple example but I think we all get the idea. God only gives us what we can handle and we have to force ourselves to let go of the rest and trust Him. For some, that's easier said than done.
We don't know everything and sometimes it bothers me, but most of the time, I'm truly glad I don't. It is sooo freeing to just let God handle the things we cannot. The question is, do we believe He will do it and will He do it for me personally ....right now? Pretty much like what you said in class. I love that thought, by the way!
Jennifer
I personally have problems when I can't explain something. Maybe it is just me, but also due to the fact that people come to me with their problems and I am expected to solve it. There have been more than one occassion where I have had to look a patient in the eye (literally and figuratively) and say I do not know and as you indicated send them on to a specialist. It was a humbling experience the first time, but every patient I have had to say that to has been very appreciative that I am honest with them and that I worked hard to try to figure it out and get them to the right person. But sometimes there is no answer.
The ability to due this has been freeing and I try to apply it to my understanding of the bible. Sometimes we do not have the answer and probably weren't meant to know it anyway. I find these circumstances most difficult when trying to talk to someone who is not a Christian. They seem to be unwilling at times to accept the fact that there may not be an answer to their question. This is where my faith can not substitute for someone elses lack of.
Just some thoughts,
Aaron
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