In this week’s episode of The Pulse Podcast we answer the question, ‘Should Christians use dating apps?’.
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Coronavirus: Our Opportunity
Many of you may be alarmed to read that COVID-19 (Coronavirus), the global Pandemic which has halted much of Global life and caused so much havoc, is being described as an opportunity. Perhaps that’s why you clicked the link; to find out if there was a biblical backing for this assertion and so see the points developed.
It is first important to understand the scale and scope of the crisis so far. Coronavirus is a new illness that can affect lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus. There is lots of information about coronavirus which can be found here (NHS.UK). The Government has asked everyone to avoid gatherings, crowded places and unnecessary travel to stop its spreading. As of the 22nd of March 2020, more than 5,000 people in the UK with COVID-19-related deaths in the UK currently at 233. Across the world, a similar image emerges, with over 319,134 confirmed cases and more than 13,697 deaths.
The crisis is causing crippling fear, panic and disillusionment as medical experts hurry for a vaccine whilst national governments consider new and extreme measures to try and save dying economies. If the fallout from the global crisis could be summed up in one word: one may say fear. Fear as families under quarantine wonder when they will be allowed out again. Fear as workers wonder where they next paycheck may come from. Fear as churches forced to close wonder how the Gospel may spread with doors shut. As we consider this fear, it may be reticent of the same kind of fear that often confronted the early church in Acts. Fear when a young Stephen was stoned to death in Acts 7:54 – 60 for believing in Jesus. Fear as Saul on a rampage persecuted the church in Jerusalem in Acts 8 1 – 4 as all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.
You see crisis isn’t new. Whether you look at the first-century church or the modern church, the bride of Christ has always existed in a world gripped by fear. Persecution has always punctuated the experience of the church. Because of this, we can look into the bible to the appropriate response to the fear our world is currently confronted with.
An opportunity to manifest our faith
In a time where society seems to be singing the same song, COVID-19 presents the believer with a wonderful opportunity to sing a different song. It is a perfect time to make manifest the faith we profess. The believer should be the most balanced, the most stable, the most sane, and the most hopeful because we know where we are heading., Eternity is settled for the believer and in the face of fear, Isaiah 41:10 comes to mind where God makes the promises to his chosen people: ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’ The worst thing that could ever happen to us (death), because of Gods redemptive work through Jesus, becomes the best thing.
Jesus also preaches directly about worrying and fear. He came into an unstable and unpredictable world. He lived in an agricultural society where one summer’s drought could wipe out crops for the winter. He hung out with fishermen, who might fish all night long and catch nothing to sell or bring home to family. And Jesus knew the human heart and the temptations presented by the cares of this life. So he gave his disciples some excellent instruction on worry in Matthew 6 25 – 27:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?”
Jesus teaches us here that worry does absolutely no good. It won’t bring in money, food, or clothing. Worry only has negative results: it chokes the word of God and distracts us from God. It is unbelief, the opposite of faith. It leads to more fear and anxiety. And the different scenarios we play out in our minds can’t prevent a single thing from happening. Besides that, most of the things we spend so much time fretting about won’t happen anyway.
We have a golden opportunity now to make our faith clear by being the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Our disposition must be salted. That means it is so different that others are marvelled by our composure and assurance in a time where it seems foolish to be so assured. This is the time for those who have their hope in Jesus to demonstrate it by being calm, collected and assured. The kingdom of God is joy in the Holy Spirit and so it is time to show that.
Our Assignment is the same
Whether in famine or feast, our assignment as believers remains the same. This is why it is slightly jarring when Christians faced with darkness choose to retreat or cower in fear. This is the opposite of what God does, Jesus does, the Holy Spirit does and by extension, we should do.
God loved and loves to invade darkness with light. He demonstrated this when He became flesh for our sake. Jesus continued this ministry, taking His message of reconciliation across the world into some of the darkest recesses of human life. In the beatitude, He teaches us that, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we too should do the same Mathew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Christians shouldn’t think COVID-19 changes our assignment. No, the very darkness we see in the world, is the prerequisite for our shining. It is a platform for us to preach about the hope we have in glory! This crisis whilst creating fear and confusing also gives believes a wonderful opportunity to preach the Good news of Jesus Christ and to see a large number of people turn back to him.
This is the time to show resolve, to help those who need help and to not dim out light but shine it brighter than its ever shone before! Let me know about the hope you have.
How Should Christians Respond to the Coronavirus?
I’m writing this from Shanghai into the 6th week of city-wide quarantine. To add some context Shanghai has nearly 30 million people. This is just under half the population of the United Kingdom. A quarantine of this magnitude has never been seen before in human history. In itself, it is an experiment.
Having said this, today, as I write this (12th of March) no new cases have been reported. Less than 700 people have been infected and 300 of them have recovered with the rest still in the hospital. There have been 3 fatalities.
Right now, the virus is in Europe where numbers seem to be increasing at a rapid rate. I fear European are in far graver danger than I am in China. I say this because of the precautions and measures that have been taken and are able to be taken in a single-party communist nation compared to democratic, multiparty governments.
With all of this said how should a Christian respond to this new pandemic?
1. Prayer
In the face of fear Christians pray. Jesus before going to the cross prayed in Gethsemane (Matthew 25). Paul and Silas in prison ‘prayed and sang hymns’ (Acts 16). Daniel in response to a change in the law ‘prayed’ (Daniel 6). Christians in the face of danger and in the face of fear, pray. If like me sometimes you wonder how to pray appropriately in a time like this, you are not alone. Luke 11 shows the disciples were also unsure on how to pray. The format of the Lord’s prayer is to Adore God for WHO he is, confess our sins, fears, burdens, thank him for his provision and Supplicate him with our requests (this is commonly known as ACTS). Confessing our fears in times like this is imperative as it is a reminder to us of our need for deeper reliance on God and trust in who he says he is, and what he says he will accomplish. Sometimes this is a simple Mark 9:23-25 cry of “help my unbelief”. Notice how Jesus’s response was carefully measured and comforting.
2. Use The COVID-19 to Explain and Share The Hope You Have
The Coronavirus has been provided infinite amounts of Gospel sharing opportunities. This has been and will be a time to share with friends, family and close ones the reason for the hope we have and a chance to share our assurance that God is who he says he is.
In your workplace, university and community there will be people who are struggling with fear and anxiety. Graciously be a comforting neighbour, sympathising with their fears, and maybe God will open an avenue for you to share the reason for your hope.
In the west, with the high number of elderly people, this is an opportunity for Christians to really make an impact in terms of caring for our neighbours in more practical ways.
Are there members of your church who would be helped by you delivering their shopping? Could you even go further and cook these meals for them?
Is your friend going to be bored during this time? Would sending/gifting them a book help?
Could you help clean your church building early on Saturday morning in preparation for the service? Could you help by cleaning it after?
Practically there are infinite ways that the COVID-19 virus has opened up doors and avenues to love people practically.
3. Practical Wisdom
Wisdom may dictate that you should not attend Church on Sunday. Wisdom may dictate that you refuse to go into work if instructed. Wisdom may dictate that you ‘hyper’ quarantine limiting interactions with members of your family.
But here are a few practical pointers to consider.
Christians do not act out of self-preservation but love
- Romans 15 talks of the strong, protecting the weak. All our decisions should be made from this heart posture. As such it Is also possible to persevere in attending church etc in order to serve the weak or be served. If you are young it may even be wiser for you to stay at home and protect those older and with underlying health conditions. Such a decision would be made out of love and not self-preservation.
Christians should encourage others to prepare and respond to trouble not to worry about it
- Jesus constantly reminded his followers that the day of his death, their biggest fear, was coming and it ultimately came. In John 16 one of his final words he warns that they will face ‘tribulation’ but not to ‘fear as he has overcome the world.’ The greatest fear any of us should have is a life without Christ. This isn’t true if you have repented and believed and thus ultimately as we face ‘tribulation’ we can do so knowing that biggest issues, our sin, has been dealt with.
Christians ultimately trust God
- In conclusion, Christians are able to turn and say to God that whatever my God ordains is right and that he is good. In the end, we should be able to thank God for all he has done and is doing and will do.
There is no shame in minimising human contact. But like all decisions, we should make them prayerfully, biblically, under the guidance of church elders and in the community and network of believers.
4. Confess Fears and Anxieties to God
Fear is not a demon. Fear is a natural reaction to the face of danger. Anxiety over the future is not uncommon among believers of old and today. However, our response in the face of danger is telling of our understanding of who God is and what his intentions and plans for us are. Faith is an ambiguous word which in a modern sense is better translated as reliance.
To repent (turn away from self-reliance) and have faith (rely on God for our every need, thought and action), is what saves (Mark 1:15). In Matthew 6, Jesus calls for his followers to rely on God’s provision. In the Proverbs we are called to understand God’s control of all things including those under the power of Satan (Job 1, Proverbs 21:1, Romans 8:28). John Piper famously said that Satan is like a mischief monkey on a leash. He can cause damage in the world but only with the permission and under the restraining hand of God.
For Christians, this means that our hope shifts from this life to the next. For Christians, this means that if you die before getting to the end of this post you will be with the Lord (AMEN!). If you survive, you have the opportunity to be used by him for his purposes. We should be hard pressed between the two like the Apostle Paul (Phil 1:23)
In light of this truth, we can confess our fears and anxieties to a God that cares. Psalms 34 is a model of this. David seeks the Lord’s guidance and finds him willing and able to deliver him from fear.
How should Christians study The Bible?
During this weeks episode, we discuss the all important question, ‘How should Christians study the Bible?’
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RECENT EPISODES
Don’t Waste Your Life?
This was recorded at our #FOCUS2017 retreat.
SPEAKER: Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics Philosophy and Economics. He is currently working on a Masters Degree in Political Science (Politics and Philosophy) – Democracy and Elections at the University of Manchester.
Mike Omoniyi is an activist, campaigner and Youth Voice advocate. He has held numerous positions including but not limited to, sitting on the National Working group and with the Cabinet office and national agencies as one of the 5 Young UK Ambassadors to the European Union. In this role, he represented 7.4 million young people in the UK in the Structured Dialogue Process where he advocated on the UK’s behalf with other EU Member states.
** In August 2015, after a missionary trip oversees Mike founded the charity ‘Our God Given Mission’ totally dedicated to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone that will listen. He now serves as the director.
** He is also a leader at Kingdom Culture in Manchester, A vibrant young adult church at the heart of Manchester part of Jubilee Church Manchester.
**In 2017 he undertook a new project, founding the Common Sense Network, the first ever 100% public funded online news network for millennials in the UK.
Follow Mike on social media
Twitter – MikeOmoniyiCS
Facebook – MikeOmoniyiCS
Instagram – MikeOmoniyiCS
Is every Christian called to be a Missionary?
Is the call to be a Missionary for every Christian? All this and more tackled in this Podcast!
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RECENT EPISODES
Running Home
The Task
The Task is simple but the mission is challenging. on the 13th of June, a group of 30 people will be partaking in a sponsored 15 Mile run to raise money for the charity Our God Given Mission.
Where will the money go?
The money would go towards enabling the Charity to carry it’s duties such as the facilitation of online training resources for prospective missionaries to use ahead of mission trips and also the facilitation of gospel-centered events such as our annual retreats, university Q&A tours, and much more.
We are also going to be partnering with Homeless Charities in manchester to tackle the crippling issue of homelessness in Manchester
Over the last few years, you have probably seen more people living on the streets. This is because homelessness in the UK has increased in your area, in your cities, outside your pubs. More people are increasingly having to rely on food banks and levels of poverty!
There is no single reason why someone ends up being homeless, there are several factors at play, such as personal circumstances stemming from mental health, physical health issues, to issues that differentiate between men, women and the youth population. When you think of a homeless person the typical stereotype that comes to mind is of drugs and alcohol-related addictions, contrary to widely common belief only 27% have or are recovering from an alcohol problem.
Some of these factors especially come down to ‘structural’ systems that are out of their direct control. It can be build up over years and years until the final moment puts them out on the streets.
Most desire a job, to get back into a daily routine, but to do so, a home is required, the lack of affordable homes is another issue to be tackled.
It is not all doom and gloom! Some amazing charities are doing amazing work to remedy this situation. Calling on the government to change laws that disadvantage people that become homeless. Moreover, providing hostels that can help people find long term accommodation, allowing them to get an education or get a job, manage debts, address drug and alcohol problems
We want to support their work by raising awareness, motivate and mobilise young people to go out of their way to tackle this issue.
Are You Satisfied in Christ?
Looking ahead to 2020, my greatest desire was to strive toward contentment in all things. Though positive, I recently found that my desire was misplaced. This was in light of discovering the biblical truth that contentment cannot be found apart from Jesus. To take a lesson from Scottish theologian Dr Sinclair Ferguson, if we seek contentment then we will never find it. This is because we do not find contentment in the pursuit contentment itself. Rather, it is found in Christ who brings us unspeakable joy and satisfaction.
Contentment is not our natural tendency
An appropriate starting point is this: contentment is not the natural tendency of man. In our natural, unregenerate, fallen state, we do not seek after God (Romans 3:10-11). We must firstly be born again by water and the Spirit of the Living God (John 3:1-8). Upon this occurrence, God gives us a new heart, a new nature that gradually desires God more and more by the work of His Spirit. This is promised in the prophecy concerning the New Covenant in Ezekiel 36:24-28.
Once justified (declared righteous before God by faith in Jesus for our salvation), we are sanctified (made positionally holy, set apart unto God). Sanctification is also the process where God makes us more like Christ by the work of His Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18). With this being a progressive work, the flesh and the Spirit are constantly at war within us, (Galatians 5:17), indicating that contentment in God is not our natural tendency.
Consequently, we may become swept up in what ethicists and social commentators call ‘Affluenza’. This is the notion that as affluence and consumerism in the Western world becomes exacerbated, so does the desire for more. Tim Challies writes:
“Many of us have discovered that as our wealth and our possessions multiply, so too does our discontentment… There is an inverse relationship between how much we have and how much we are convinced we need to be content.”
Tim Challies
This was illustrated in Genesis 3. Although God supplied Adam and Eve with all they needed (Genesis 1:29-30), including unbroken fellowship with Him, they were mistaken in believing that they required more to be satisfied. They had great abundance, yet still felt empty. This points toward the truth which Saint Aurelius Augustine of Hippo asserted in his classical work “Confessions
“Thou hast made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee.”
St. Augustine
Our hearts are made for God. The human heart longs to worship someone/something; God, false gods, money, self, etc. Ignorance of this reality and seeking the utmost satisfaction outside of God denies one the possibility of becoming fully content. This goes to the heart of the gospel:
“The God who made us has come to redeem us and remake us, being our access route to our contentment, pleasure and satisfaction for which we were created.”
Dr Sinclair Ferguson
Contentment must be cultivated
In Philippians 4:11, Paul writes “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” The gravity of this statement can only be understood in the context of his ministry. Paul penned his letter to the church at Philippi while imprisoned in Rome. He was held captive for relentlessly sharing the gospel much to the rage of the Jews and the Roman authorities. Paul’s life spoke volumes of the chastening experienced as contentment is cultivated.
At Corinth, there was an emergence of false teachers who were rapidly gaining popularity. Paul details his credentials which set him apart from these “super -apostles” including: countless imprisonments and beatings to the point of near-death. Innumerable floggings, shipwrecks, dangers of all kinds, not to mention the pressures of overseeing and disciplining the churches he founded (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
Saul of Tarsus was a prolific persecutor of Christians and a wealthy Jew. This starkly contrasted his latter days where he was sustained by God’s provision and the gracious donations from the churches he founded (Philippians 4:10). Paul had experienced life at both ends of the spectrum. Having known what it meant to be both in need and having plenty, he had learned the secret to contentment (Philippians 4:12). Contentment is not circumstantial. He was a faithful steward with whatever he had, learning to submit to the will and good pleasure of God.
Contentment is cultivated by the spirit of rejoicing
In Acts 5, the apostles were arrested in response to the attention they drew to themselves as they shared the gospel and performed many signs and wonders. Upon their release, they were ordered to cease from speaking in the name of Jesus (see Acts 5:17-40). Verse 41 reads:
“The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering for the Name.”
Acts 5:41
The Jewish council flogged the apostles and warned them to never speak of the name of Jesus again, yet they rejoiced in their suffering, taking joy in what they viewed the highest honour of all. The key here is that they rejoiced in God, not circumstances.
You train yourself to be joyful, by trusting in the provision of the Lord and staying in the place of obedience.
Dr John MacArthur
In the Pauline epistles, the apostle encourages the churches to do exactly this. In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul exhorted God’s people to rejoice, ceaselessly pray and give thanks in all circumstances.’ (v.16-18). This was not written at a time of great celebration. Timothy had reported to Paul on the unexpected deaths within the church. Nevertheless, Paul told the church to delight in God’s good pleasure; to live in peace with one another (v.12-15) and rejoice always because “this is God’s will for you in Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
Contentment is taking satisfaction in the loving-kindness of God
In Psalm 36, David speaks of the contrasts between wicked man and righteous God, thanking Him for his goodness toward His people. Psalm 36:7-9 reads:
“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God!
Psalm 36:7-9
Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings.
They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house,
And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures.
For with You is the fountain of life;
In Your light we see light.”
God’s ‘loving-kindness’ encompasses his grace, mercy and love. David saw the merciful God as a place of rest and refuge for His people. The Psalmist makes known that God cares for and protects those who trust in Him as a gracious and honourable host would for anyone in his house. The fullness of God’s house is enough to satisfy anyone, offering a flow of ‘rivers of pleasures” in Him. Here is a picture of contentment which is echoed in Psalm 23. With God as his Shepherd, the Psalmist had everything he required (Psalm 23:1).
Contentment through Christ
So how did Paul learn to be content whatever the circumstances? The key is Philippians 4:13:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13
The fullness of God’s loving-kindness is in Christ Jesus. Therefore, it is in He alone that we receive the capability to cultivate contentment and it is in He alone that contentment is found.
Comprehending the Incomprehensible
Valentines has come and gone, but regardless of whether you have found your boyfriend (or girlfriend), love, as they say, is still in the air. And while it’s a subject on many of our hearts and minds it is well worth discovering what true love is.
We are all by nature created for love. To love and to be loved. Even more so Christians are to be marked by love (John 13:35) so we must understand how this love we have is both distinctive and yet desirable to those who are perhaps still intoxicated with the love of the world (1 John 2:15-17)
In our culture, the idea of love is heavily romanticised. Sexualised even. We are bombarded with various depictions of what love is. Whether it be in what we read on our small screens, what we watch on our large screens, what we listen to in our music or even when we speak with friends. And whilst there are romantic and sexual expressions of love, alongside familial and platonic forms, the human heart’s greatest need for love is not fully met in any of these expressions. Ultimately, we are filled when we encounter the love of Christ. It is in His love that we are truly satisfied. You may have come to that conclusion already. You may not have. Regardless of whether you have or not, it’s one thing to come to this conclusion – it’s another entirely to experience this reality. This is where a prayer of the Apostle Paul for the Ephesians is really enlightening. He asks that the Ephesian people
“may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:18-19)
Now if you’re anything like me, you read this and thought “Wow sounds great!” but after pondering on it for a moment you then slowly ask yourself “How do I comprehend the incomprehensible?”. Because this is precisely what Paul is asking the Ephesians to do. He petitions for them to have “strength to comprehend…the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge”
Beyond intellect
For those of us with tendencies to try and work things out intellectually, this “experiencing the love of God” can be particularly challenging. We see height, breadth, depth and length and our natural tendency is to concoct some sort of equation for how we are to experience God’s love. This can be a fatal trap and lead to an increasingly deteriorating and debilitating spiritual condition.
We must recognise that in order to experience this love, it is contingent upon recognising the “incomprehensibility” of this truth and going to the One who alone is wise (Rom 16:27), who can empower us to truly know. We must resolve to know that this is a supernatural experience and recognise that “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Rom 5:5). By the power of the Holy Spirit, the love of God becomes more than just a theological concept, but it becomes the bedrock for our walk with Him and our mission to represent Him as an ambassador to a dying and hopeless world.
Notice however, the heading says “beyond” intellect. Not abandoning intellect. Jesus commands us to love us with our minds (Matt 22:37-40) and Paul instructs us to “think about such things” that are noble and good (Phil 4:8). We don’t abandon our minds in the pursuit of God’s love but rather fill our minds with the truth of His love for us and pray that we experience the glories of the truths we know.
Beyond emotion
However, intellect isn’t the only pitfall. For some, the love of God is so overly emotional that if one does not feel goosebumps or the shivers then the only conclusion is that they are not experiencing the love of God anymore. And this can be even more dangerous than the intellectual pitfalls, because emotions have taken the lead and become the governing influence in your life as opposed to glorious biblical truth. One can end up in all sorts of theological maladies when subscribing to a purely emotion-based understanding of the love of God.
Speak to any married couple. There are seasons of expressly heightened emotions in their love for one another. And there are seasons where their love for one another is most clearly evidenced by their simple committed choice to love one another regardless of the emotion. In fact, very often the truth of their love for another informs their emotional state. As believers, we are to routinely remind ourselves and be reminded by others of the love Christ has for us, regardless of our immediate feelings.
Yet, our feelings are not evil. In some Christian circles, any expression of emotions can be greeted by a rather uncomfortable response. This is unfortunate, seeing as the Psalms are filled with weighty truths about God but also the very real emotions of the Psalmists in their personal walks with the Lord. “Beyond emotion” does not mean banishing all emotions from the equation. Far from it. It means that our emotions are not our sole determiner for experiencing God’s love but like David, when circumstances play a bearing on our emotions, we “encourage ourselves in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6) and move forward with His grace and love.
Final thoughts
Knowing the unknowable. Comprehending the incomprehensible. The love of God towards us is so vast that it exceeds the capacity of our finite hearts and minds. So, if you looking to be loved like no other come to Christ. If you are searching for satisfaction draw near to Him. His love is readily available.
For those of us who are convinced of this love but desiring to experience it as a more consistent reality, here are some final reminders.
- The love of Christ in us is supernatural. We cannot work it out with a solely intellectual or emotional framework. Continually echo the prayer of Paul in Ephesians 5:18,19 for yourself
- Although we don’t use or intellect or emotions as means to conclusively comprehending this love, they do help serve our experience of experiencing the love of Christ and loving others. Remind yourself that like any relationship, there are seasons of unhindered heightened emotion which you must cherish and seasons where you must encourage yourself what to feel based on the truth of what you know.
- Seek Christian community. Notice how Paul prays that the Ephesians “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints…” Very often just the mere presence of sincere Christian brothers and sisters can remind us of the love of God. If you remove yourself from Christian community, not only are you robbing yourself of this great blessing but you are also robbing someone else of the opportunity to experience God’s love through you.
Grace and peace
God does not ‘exist’.
I recently came across a story of a systematic theology professor who opened his lecture by stating ‘God does not exist’. The professor then took his seat and watched as chaos erupted as he listened to his students debating such an audacious claim. At the end of the lesson, the professor stood up and concluded: ‘God does not exist; God is’. God does not ‘exist’. That is a word that is far too limiting to be ascribed to God. God does not exist. Rather, God is. God is part of creation, He is inside all that He has made as well as outside. God is near us, present with us, active on earth and involved in our world.There is nothing passive about our God.
” God is other and set apart from everything else, that he is in a class by himself. God is not just quantitatively greater than us, but qualitatively different in his greatness.” – Thomas Trevethan
The problem of a solely transcendent God.
To simply define God’s transcendence, it’s a term used to refer to his distance, His ‘otherness’. The idea is that God is distinctively separate from His created beings. The transcendence of God describes the notion that He is above us, greater than us, before time, uncreated, separate and holy. ((Isaiah 55:9,Psalm 113:5-6,Isaiah 40:22-23). Some would say that on a foundational level, there are only two kinds of existence: God and everything else. This is why throughout the Old Testament there are numerous laws against the creation of idols. These prohibitions are made to utterly emphasize the wholly otherness and distinctiveness of God who cannot be represented physically. This is where the principle of a solely transcendent God originates from. It is an attribute with world religions such as Islam and Judaism tend to gravitate towards. The problem of a solely transcendent God is that He is simply just ‘up there’, confined by space and time. A solely transcendent God cannot be interacted with. A solely transcendent God cannot demonstrate love. This is a god who cannot be worshipped.
The problem of a solely immanent God.
God’s immanence simply refers to his nearness. God is wholly present with and active in the created order. God is near us, present with us, active on earth and involved in our world. He is present and active in nature, in history, in our lives. He acts in this world and dwells with his people. This is an attribute of God which tends to be over-emphasized in many eastern religions. The fallacy with a solely immanent God is that where God is simply a being who is anywhere and in everything, this view diminishes the holiness of God. This god cannot be worshipped. If we embrace the immanence of God without firstly contextualizing his transcendence, it diminishes the capacity of the believer to worship Him rightly because a god who is like us cannot be worshipped. In order to truly worship God, we must firstly recognise, grasp and then rejoice in the truth that He is completely distinct from us and holier than anything we know.
There is nothing “passive” about our God, nor any of His attributes. God is always all powerful (omnipotent), all knowing (omniscient), all places present (omnipresent) – Bill Gray
God is Both
Where we came from – a transcendent God created us.
Why are we here – an immanent God seeks relationship with us.
The biblical view of God is one of which affirms both God’s transcendence and immanence. This almost seems too paradoxical. This is what we see in Jeremiah 23:23-24 in which God asks“‘Am I only a God nearby,’ declares the LORD, ‘and not a God far away? Can anyone hide in secret places so that I cannot see him?’ declares the LORD. ‘Do I not fill heaven and earth?’ declares the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:23-24).
On one hand, we have God’s transcendent nature which strives to keep Him distant and remote from His creation and yet, on the other hand, His immanent nature works to draw Him near to His creation. From the very beginning, God demonstrates both of these attributes towards his creation. In Genesis 1 we learn of God’s transcendent nature when He created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). However, we also have Genesis 3:8 where God walked in the garden to find Adam and Eve. This becomes even more clear in the person of Jesus Christ. Where we witness God’s immanence in human form when Jesus redeems, purchases and rescues humanity from the penalty of sin and to draws us back into a close and personal relationship with a transcendent God. As Bill Muehlenberg said, “Our sin magnified his transcendence, but our repentance and faith enables new and deeper immanence”
In order to fully grasp and the importance and significance of God’s immanence, we must first understand his transcendence. They are two sides of the same coin. We cannot isolate one of God attributes from another. When we do so we are left with incomplete and malformed thoughts about the character and nature of God. This is what modern culture and other world religions struggle to comprehend. Pantheism, the belief that everything is God (i.e Buddhism and Hinduism) denies God’s transcendence. Judaism and Islam deny God’s immanence. However, both the truths of God’s transcendence and immanence must be affirmed. This is what makes the Gospel message so profound and powerful. That a transcendent God chooses to make himself known! The same God who spoke the cosmos into existence, knows the number of hairs on your head (Matthew 10:29-31). Only Christianity affirms both. To have one without the other creates a caricature of the biblical God and that is not a god that is to be worshipped. As C.S. Lewis put it in The Problem of Pain, “God is both further from us, and nearer to us, than any other being.” In conclusion, we must hold on to both of God’s transcendence and immanence, any lessening and lowering of the dull extent of who God is, is walking down the path of idolatry. Ultimately, any distortion of either of the two would not allow us to witness the beauty of the Gospel message.