Where is God? And where should we look for him? Some, in seeking to answer these questions, have ignored or minimized the truth question, thinking that God's imprint is located in literally every place and within every religious system. Without getting into a discussion about God's role in world religions, it is at least clear from a biblical vantage point that not everything honors God. There is such a thing as evil (the topic of another discussion), and whatever it is, it contradicts the good purposes of our Maker. Thus, to indiscriminately "see" God in everything is to run the risk of actually missing him. Again, the truth question will not go away.
Then again, those within the church who are concerned about the truth question can become overly cautious and defensive in their stance. Though the Bible is rightly seen as our paradigm shaper, an overly rigid view can actually place unnecessary and even harmful limits on our perceptions. Some, in other words, are so concerned to "be biblical" that they fail to recognize that the Bible itself depicts a deity whose activity extends, shall we say, outside the pages of Scripture.
Thus, while we must immerse our thoughts in truth, allowing Scripture to impact our perceptions, we must also--in accordance with the Bible's own mandate--keep our eyes open for the presence of God all around us. My sense (if I have any at all) is that large segments of the church, especially among those who consider themselves the gate keepers of truth, are so fearful about misrepresenting God that they are prone to miss him.
God can come to us in an ocean breeze, in the sounds of children playing, in the aromas of nature, in the tastes of wonderful cuisine, and in our relationships with loved ones. In our pursuit of the truth (in Scripture), we mustn't allow ourselves to miss the Truth (God himself) as he makes his mark in countless ways. Though Scripture has a parameter-setting function (providing guidance for how, why, and what be believe), it also (primarily?) has a liberating function, opening our eyes to the beauty of God in our midst.
Then again, those within the church who are concerned about the truth question can become overly cautious and defensive in their stance. Though the Bible is rightly seen as our paradigm shaper, an overly rigid view can actually place unnecessary and even harmful limits on our perceptions. Some, in other words, are so concerned to "be biblical" that they fail to recognize that the Bible itself depicts a deity whose activity extends, shall we say, outside the pages of Scripture.
Thus, while we must immerse our thoughts in truth, allowing Scripture to impact our perceptions, we must also--in accordance with the Bible's own mandate--keep our eyes open for the presence of God all around us. My sense (if I have any at all) is that large segments of the church, especially among those who consider themselves the gate keepers of truth, are so fearful about misrepresenting God that they are prone to miss him.
God can come to us in an ocean breeze, in the sounds of children playing, in the aromas of nature, in the tastes of wonderful cuisine, and in our relationships with loved ones. In our pursuit of the truth (in Scripture), we mustn't allow ourselves to miss the Truth (God himself) as he makes his mark in countless ways. Though Scripture has a parameter-setting function (providing guidance for how, why, and what be believe), it also (primarily?) has a liberating function, opening our eyes to the beauty of God in our midst.
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