Luther & the Naked God

I just finished a class called "Medieval & Reformation Theology" on Monday. Coming into this class, I had little appreciation for theology that was older than say 20-30 years. Perhaps it's my implicit cultural elitism that manifests itself in my thinking that we've finally "arrived" theologically - which allows us to dismiss the theology of anyone not part of our generation. By being forced to learn from Medieval & Reformation theologians (700s - 1600s A.D.), I was continually confronted with the rich, diverse, and faithful theology that is a part of our history.

One idea I found particularly powerful was Luther's concept of the "naked God". A mystic around the time of Luther (Meister Eckhart) had been saying that if we want to "know God", we must get beyond all descriptions of Him. We must get beyond all concepts like "Trinity" and "Christ" and "the cross" in order to have true experiential knowledge of God - these descriptions only serve as obstacles to knowing and encountering God as He really is in Himself. What Eckhart gets right is that there is more to God than any list of descriptions - no words, phrases, or concepts can contain God as He truly is.

However, Luther responds by explaining that encountering such a "naked God" may not be a pleasant experience at all. You don't want to meet God in this way, for such a holy God would probably be a threat to sinful human beings. For those who would recognize their sinfulness, they should know God as He is clothed in His promises and mercy, for God unclothed with His covenanted love may just be an all-consuming fire, as opposed to your friend.

This ought to be the goal of what it means to "know God" - to know God as He is clothed in His promises and mercy. When we come to God in prayer we should be conscious of the fact we can stand before Him only as He has clothed himself in mercy - mercy demonstrated most fully on the cross. When we see the incredible mercy and love of God demonstrated on the cross, our hearts can do nothing more noble than to melt before Him. May our hearts melt before such a great and awe-inspiring God, who has, for our sake, clothed Himself in love and mercy.

A Poem by Mike

Here's a poem written by Mike Battle that I thought you'd enjoy:

Gifting Eyes
The beauty of tears,
unto you eternally always.
The created order,
magnificence of The King.
We see such things
and are blind to what is witnessed.
Father, O Father,
You forgave our deaf ears
and clouded sight.
Always may we entreat others,
and retreat never.
Beauty of broken tears:
Words are injustices
unfit for eyes of the redeemed.
We weep for beauty,
for we have seen beyond.
You have broken our sight;
We see You in truth.
We cannot comprehend
the goodness of Abba, Father.
The setting sun of the West.
Others will follow.
Lead us, Spirit of Jesus,
so we may lead.
We are coming, Father,
We are coming
home.