A Bloke’s Blog


Why Words Are Adequate To Describe the Indescribable
May 13, 2008, 8:33 pm
Filed under: Apologetics, Theology | Tags: , , , , , , , ,

“Language as a gift from God makes it adequate for the tasks he has given us and the goals he has for communicating with us. This gives theology an appropriate place in human knowledge and makes it equal to the other sciences as valid human knowledge even though its basis is in God’s self revelation and not in human senses or reason. Beware of saying, “Words cannot express…” While this is true to some extent, God still chose to reveal Himself to us. Ours is not a mystical, experiential, or immediate religion. Words are adequate, though not exhaustive.”

       - Tim Miskimen, ABTS Systematic Theology Lecture 2008, Sydney Campus.

 


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Indeed, no doctrine or description can contain God, nor indeed can any theory fully communicate any object of our attention. We are able to explain many things with metaphor and simile saying “this [new thing] is like that [thing you already know]” but with God it’s the other way around: “this [thing you know] is like God (who you don’t already know)”. All things point to Him and all good things reflect Him.

Comment by Marc May 13, 2008 @ 10:23 pm

Yes, in Chris Tomlin’s words, God is “uncontainable”.
The key word in Tim’s quote above is “exhaustive”
Throughout all eternity we will never exhaust or reach the end of explaining, understanding and knowing God.
Thanks for dropping by & commenting Lord Bless.

Comment by albyg May 14, 2008 @ 9:31 am



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