“For who knows a person's thoughts
except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So, also no one comprehends
the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the
spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand
the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by
human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those
who are spiritual.”
(1 Corinthians 2:11-13 ESV)
It is
becoming increasingly common for people wanting a deeper experience of God in
their lives to seek it in mystical or emotional experiences rather than through
the Bible. The irony is that the Bible helps believers experience God in a way
far deeper than mystical or emotional experiences can provide. Christ redeems the
whole person, not just the intellect or emotions. In Biblical faith our minds
are transformed and so are our deepest desires. In Christianity, our “spiritual”
experience is crucial but it is never separated from the Wisdom and Truth of
God. We achieve the most powerful spiritual experience in our union with Christ
through the Word.
The apostle
Paul explains us why in the verses quoted at the beginning of this article.
Notice first that Paul establishes the transcendence of God. It is not possible
for anyone to comprehend the thoughts except the Spirit of God. This fatally undermines
the philosophical method of knowing God. Philosophers attempt to know God
through a rational analysis of what they observe about the world and the mind.
Paul, however, tells us that only the Spirit of God comprehends the thoughts of
God. The philosophical method is therefore ultimately doomed to fail. Knowing
God is not achievable based upon a purely rational or intellectual method. Does
this mean the mystics are correct? No, it does not.
Paul says what
is understood is “freely given by God”.
The Apostles have received the Spirit of God so that they are able to
understand what God wishes to reveal to them. This is a crucial point because
it establishes revelation as the source of Divine knowledge. The apostles did
not receive their doctrine from men. It was not the result of philosophical
speculation or insight. Neither was it the result of religious discipline. It
came from the Spirit of God who freely gave it. Since the Apostles experienced
direct revelation, it might appear that we might come to know God through a
similar mystical experience but what Paul says next is as devastating to
mysticism as his earlier comments were to rationalism.
Paul says “And
we impart this in words”. The “this” he refers to are the things freely
given, namely the thoughts of God. This is significant because if the Apostles
communicate God’s thoughts in words then they are contained in statements that
are either true of false (propositions). The revelation of God is therefore rational
and must be understood using reason. It also means that we have access to the
very thoughts of God through the words of the Apostles, which is the Bible. Through
the Word, we have access to a pure knowledge of God because it contains His
very thoughts.
Paul says
that the words are not the result of human wisdom but are “taught by the Spirit.” Not only does the Spirit give these truths
but also interprets them for those who are “spiritual”. We see therefore that
the work of the Holy Spirit is required both in the giving of Scripture and in
the spiritual rebirth of the believer who receives the Word. The Spirit
prepares the minds of the believer to receive His Word. We therefore have a
subjective (new birth) and objective (Bible) component of our experience of God. Biblical Christianity therefore rejects both pure mysticism and pure philosophy as
legitimate ways to know or experience God. Both experience and reason are required,
neither is autonomous, both are subjected to the rule of Christ.
This is an
amazing thing to consider. When we read or hear a statement from the Bible what
happens? Our physical sensations of the scribbles on the paper or the sound
waves are transformed into a thought in our minds. Remarkably, Paul tells us
that this thought, to the extent that it actually conforms to the Word of God,
is also a thought in the eternal mind of the transcendent God. This is why Paul
can make the bold claim a few verses later “we have the mind of Christ” (1 Cor. 2:16).
By
meditating on the Word, we experience within same action the combination of
intimate communion with God and rational, conscious activity. It is a
remarkable thing to claim that Sprit, working through the Word, transfers the very
thoughts of God to our minds. The New Testament frequently discusses the
mystical union of the believer with Christ as an objective reality. It is,
however, something we can experience in a special way through our meditation upon
His Word. Philosophy and mysticism can never elevate beyond our creaturely mind and feelings. The Bible, however, provides access to the mind of the Creator.
I cannot imagine
a deeper or more satisfying experience of God than what Paul describes. The
Word of God is what deepens and sustains our experience of God as we live out
the Christian life. The Puritan Thomas Manton put it this way, “he that labors
must have his meals, otherwise he will faint.” Adding, “Painted fire needs no
fuel.” There are many who appear to be on fire for Christ but if their zeal is
not fueled by the Word of God, then I fear it will either soon burn out, or it
is merely painted fire that provides no true light or heat.
