Theological uncertainties

[lindsayjane]

Me too, though it seems to run in waves. Seek, find, rest, become restless, seek... Like that.

I suppose I have been the same and am resting right now. (Or running so fast I don't have time to read anyway.) In any case, I probably will become restless again eventually. There is just so much delicious knowledge to gobble up in this life.

The Jewish mystics study and meditate on Understanding and Wisdom as attributes of Godliness, but they never directly contemplate Knowledge (Da'at). I think it is because they know is a dangerous thing, by itself.

Definitely. I was actually going to quote the Book of Mormon passage about the Jews looking beyond the mark and the stumbling block of seeking things they could not (would not) understand. (But my post was long enough, already and I was trying to avoid a dissertation. :))

The Jewish mystical tradition of study is similar to the Hindu path of knowledge. I have always found interesting similarities to the Hindu traditions of worship and Christian worship. Hindus who follow the path of knowledge seek to worship deity through study and meditation. That path is in harmony with their nature, probably bright or curious individuals with the time and means to study. Others follow paths of devotion, duty, or liberation depending on their level of understanding and their individual natures.

I see the same thing happening in the church. Although we have the same doctrines, services, and rituals, people draw close to God in different ways. But I will admit that the path of knowledge is the most dangerous. I think it is the easiest path on which to lose sight of the mark. It's ironic, because one thinks they are peering into the heart of the mark, but we know study in and of itself is not salvation. Sometimes the simple faith of the humble and unlearned will reveal the face of God more readily.

Thank you for your comments, HiJolly!

[Misshalfway]

I just wanted to throw this scripture from the BofM into the mix.

Jacob 4:13

".... for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But Behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old."

[FunkyTown]

I find this approach to faith and thinking about God frought with difficult. "IF...then" statements inevitably lead to human reasoning and false dichotamies, imho.

If there is a Father, there must be a mother? Really? Is this official LDS doctrine--that there is a Mother God?

Irregardless, I avoid presuming that certain characteristics of human society, or certain patterns, must carry over into heaven. Quite often, when we ask God, "A or B???" his answer is, "Yes." or "No." or "C."

I'm going to back PC on this one. I may disagree with him on the specifics (Like the Doctrine of Hell we discussed earlier.), but I think we -can not- ascribe qualities to God that he has not -expressly stated-. It's too easy to create a God who falls in to line with what modern people want, which results in the Communist God/The Absolute Pacifism God/The God Who Hates (insert specific group here). Me, I plan on asking God when all is said and done. If I'm wrong about anything, I plan on saying "YAY! I just learned the truth!" rather than assuming something and not listening to God because of pride.

[rameumptom]

Yes, God cannot be known through philosophical musings. He can only be known through revelation. Either He reveals himself, or he forever remains unknown.

This is what Paul taught on Mars Hill to the Greek philosophers looking to hear something new. He didn't oblige, but rather threw at them one of their own Gods, the Unknown God, which the Greeks had never really known. Paul taught them that He is knowable, but only through revelation.

Now, can we ponder and meditate to try and expand our knowledge of God? Yes. And hopefully we all do that. But it is only when God reveals himself that we gain a true witness of who/what He is.