God...

[Amy F]

This post comes from A W Tozer's book Knowledge of the Holy...

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

So the question is...

”What comes into your mind when you think about God?”

NOTE: this should be a one or two word short answer not an essay...this is only the FIRST thing that comes to your mind NOT everything...

[H]

Ineffable grace, lavish love, the work of cross, the resurrection and the fact that we are steadily moving toward the moment when creation will be delivered from bondage to decay...

[David Zierenberg]

I almost don't know what to think sometimes. What comes to mind varies because God is so ... well, varied. Sometimes I think of his love. Sometimes I think of his trustworthiness. Often I think of his "other-ness," which can be frightening and humbling. Sometimes I think of his justice. And it goes on and on.

I guess the first thing that comes to mind is based to some extent on the circumstances that prompt the thought.

[Nathan Powell]

Nicene Creed

[Dr Mike]

Seriously?

"Ineffable."

I cannot get my mind around God, cannot comprehend who He is without having to isolate a handful of attributes or acts, and to thereby focus on less than who He is. On those occasions when I've sensed His immediate presence, due to deep prayer and deep study, I've been literally driven to my knees and rendered speechless, unable to say anything or even think anything. Overwhelmed. I am silent, almost crushed by His greatness. Ashamed that I have made him manageable or comprehensible in order to feel more comfortable. How does the finite experience the infinite? I'm not suited to His presence in this earthen vessel; my mind has been enfeebled by sin and I long for a redeemed mind with the capacity to see Him as He is instead of imagining a puny icon that I can create with my mind.

Ineffable, and thus speechless, and thereby the better for it.

[Lisa Robinson]

Amy, God is so beyond description that containing Him to a mere few words really doesn't do justice. The reservation you notice is not that God is unimportant but that He is so important as not to undermine His character and attributes in trivial ways. Your disappointment is actually awe and reverence.

But I do concur that Christ showed the heart of God to us - his mercy, love, justice and compassion. But I think this only scratches the surface on evening beginning to wrap our finite brains around an infinite God.

Amy F said:

I think its fascinating that although you "theologians" are willing to discuss baptism qualifications, dispensationalism, calvinism, millennialism, pre-trib post trib, rapture, elders, etc.

The one thing that is actually important to what you believe and how you believe it you cant give an answer to.

I know the question may seem silly but it's an honest one that needs to be thought about.

This is life or death.. the answer you give to that question...

And personally i was interest to see what type of revelation you have received...not a lot obviously.. kinda disappointing.

[joanne guarnieri]

Hallelujah

H said:

Ineffable grace, lavish love, the work of cross, the resurrection and the fact that we are steadily moving toward the moment when creation will be delivered from bondage to decay...

[joanne guarnieri]

Wow. This is beautiful.

Dr Mike said:

Seriously?

"Ineffable."

I cannot get my mind around God, cannot comprehend who He is without having to isolate a handful of attributes or acts, and to thereby focus on less than who He is. On those occasions when I've sensed His immediate presence, due to deep prayer and deep study, I've been literally driven to my knees and rendered speechless, unable to say anything or even think anything. Overwhelmed. I am silent, almost crushed by His greatness. Ashamed that I have made him manageable or comprehensible in order to feel more comfortable. How does the finite experience the infinite? I'm not suited to His presence in this earthen vessel; my mind has been enfeebled by sin and I long for a redeemed mind with the capacity to see Him as He is instead of imagining a puny icon that I can create with my mind.

Ineffable, and thus speechless, and thereby the better for it.

[Marv]

Glory.

Reminds me of a story my late father told me about one of his college term papers. He wrote it on "God." He said the topic might've been a tad broad for a term paper.

[Rick C.]

No comment really.
Just to say this A.W. Tozer saying is probably my all time fave quote (I recall it often).
Thanks for a reminder, Amy.
'Needed to see it this evening (really did).
Okay, I'm going to go tell God "what I think."
GLORY! and more!
God bless, all!

[Char]

Is it that we can't answer or that the answers weren't what you wanted? For the record, you hamstrung any serious discussion in the op.

But Seraphim's first answer (which tied nicely to what I was thinking Ser) is THE answer. You want more depth than Christ? More insight than Christ? Do you really intend to say Christ is not enough? There is Christ and Christ alone, the back side of God, the only image through which we see God's perfections. This is the final word spoken to us. We don't need any other sort of revelation, nor do we seek it. We seek God only in Christ. There is no deficiency in our thinking. There is danger in going beyond it.

Our life or death is not predicated on what we think of when we think of God. Frau Hulda right there. It is predicated on Christ and him crucified. We say what we say about him based on what he has revealed-the pinnacle of this revelation being Christ. Don't go looking for God outside of Christ. You'll only find Satan or terror.

Amy F said:

I think its fascinating that although you "theologians" are willing to discuss baptism qualifications, dispensationalism, calvinism, millennialism, pre-trib post trib, rapture, elders, etc.
The one thing that is actually important to what you believe and how you believe it you cant give an answer to. I know the question may seem silly but it's an honest one that needs to be thought about.
This is life or death.. the answer you give to that question...

And personally i was interest to see what type of revelation you have received...not a lot obviously.. kinda disappointing.

[Lisa Robinson]

You ask about our revelation of God. This bears quoting

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days, has spoken to us in His son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom He also made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power... (Hebrews 1:1-3)

Christ IS the revelation of God. Revelation is dependent on the revealer and this is how God has revealed Himself to us.

Char said:

Is it that we can't answer or that the answers weren't what you wanted? For the record, you hamstrung any serious discussion in the op.

But Seraphim's first answer (which tied nicely to what I was thinking Ser) is THE answer. You want more depth than Christ? More insight than Christ? Do you really intend to say Christ is not enough? There is Christ and Christ alone, the back side of God, the only image through which we see God's perfections. This is the final word spoken to us. We don't need any other sort of revelation, nor do we seek it. We seek God only in Christ. There is no deficiency in our thinking. There is danger in going beyond it.

Our life or death is not predicated on what we think of when we think of God. Frau Hulda right there. It is predicated on Christ and him crucified. We say what we say about him based on what he has revealed-the pinnacle of this revelation being Christ. Don't go looking for God outside of Christ. You'll only find Satan or terror.

Amy F said:

I think its fascinating that although you "theologians" are willing to discuss baptism qualifications, dispensationalism, calvinism, millennialism, pre-trib post trib, rapture, elders, etc.
The one thing that is actually important to what you believe and how you believe it you cant give an answer to. I know the question may seem silly but it's an honest one that needs to be thought about.
This is life or death.. the answer you give to that question...

And personally i was interest to see what type of revelation you have received...not a lot obviously.. kinda disappointing.

[Tim Felten]

”What comes into your mind when you think about God?”

Holy