Knowing God

When it comes to God, do we have the right concept of knowledge? Peter Rollins writes, "We note that the term 'knowing' in the Hebrew tradition (in contrast to the Greek tradition) is about engaging in an intimate encounter rather than describing some objective fact."
One analogy that comes to mind for me is the idea of knowing a cat. (If you're not a cat person, work with me on this one.)
I can think of at least two different ways of knowing a cat. One is the kind of knowing that happens in a biology lab. We cut the dead cat open and examine its organs. We see how it works as an organism. The other way of knowing a cat is for it to sit on your lap. You pet it, it purrs, etc.
While much of modern theology has leaned more towards the biology lab concept of knowing God, I believe that knowing God looks much more like the cat sitting on your lap. There is a relationship and interaction between God and us. The focus should not be primarily on the “organs and anatomy” as much as it should be on the interplay between beings.
This also changes how we approach the Bible. If the Bible is a document that intends to point beyond itself to the One who, according Anslem, is conceived of as inconceivable, then we will not be able to conceive - in any one context - all that God is seeking to communicate. Rather, from our vantage point, and based on our unique situation, we will interact with God through his word.
The Hebrew author writes, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:12-13)
Notice the transition in this passage. The word of God is living and active. But the word of God is not the ultimate subject of these verses. The word of God is a method that God uses to penetrate our soul and spirit. Ultimately, it is our relationship with God that is the topic of conversation.
Our study of God’s word is not a study to learn about God. Rather, it is part of a journey towards learning God. We are investing in a relationship with our Creator. We are entering into a covenant with the One who made us and knows us. This should fundamentally change the way we approach the Bible, and ultimately, God himself.
When you open a Bible, you are not entering into a primarily academic endeavor. Rather, you are committing yourself to be impacted, shaped, and changed by the words you read. In the grand scheme of life, it doesn’t matter how much you know about God if you’re not engaging in an intimate encounter with the One whom the words point us towards.

shine!
Jason