Monday, July 30, 2012
Rationality?!
Mark Roberts discusses the mysteries present in Christ's prayers at Gethsemane:
When attempting to explain how something works we develop a "model" in our minds and then test it. When it fails we should modify the model. Sometimes we don't know enough about the thing to create a model. I would say that is very true about any relationship. I can never know enough about another to build a reliable model. Yes, after 17 years my wife can still surprise me. Trouble often brews in relationships when we relate more to our model of a person that the person themselves. For a relationship to work, the rational thing to do is let go of the model.
Finally, it is worth considering that God is entirely rational. If there is a failing it is that we are not rational enough to comprehend His ultimate rationality.
For those who require rational explanations of everything, this is a problem. They ask: How can we believe that which we cannot fully comprehend? (By the way, I believe all sorts of things I can barely understand, the theory of relativity, for example.) For others, the fact that there are things about God that are beyond our apprehension is to be expected. In fact, they are wonderful. These mysteries call us, not to skepticism, but to worship. As Paul writes in Romans 11:33-36:How few people have come to understand what it even means to be "rational." They confuse "rational" with "proof." these are two very different standards. They also confuse the model with reality.Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back? For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen.
When attempting to explain how something works we develop a "model" in our minds and then test it. When it fails we should modify the model. Sometimes we don't know enough about the thing to create a model. I would say that is very true about any relationship. I can never know enough about another to build a reliable model. Yes, after 17 years my wife can still surprise me. Trouble often brews in relationships when we relate more to our model of a person that the person themselves. For a relationship to work, the rational thing to do is let go of the model.
Finally, it is worth considering that God is entirely rational. If there is a failing it is that we are not rational enough to comprehend His ultimate rationality.
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