Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness. (1st Chronicles 16:29)
We’ve concluded our study of Romans 11 and the doxology with which Paul closes the chapter. I was ready to move on until I read something written by the Director of the BillyGrahamCenter at WheatonCollege in their publication, Center Line.
He wrote, “In the movie ‘Contact’, a scientist is allowed to travel into far dimensions of space. At the apex of her travel, she views incredible wonders. She is speechless. Her training as a scientist/astronomer is inadequate to describe much less understand what she sees. Caught up in the mysteries, she says, ‘They should’ve sent a poet.’
“There was wisdom in those words. Perhaps the best way to handle the great questions is with wonder more than empiricism. That is, after all, why the apostle Paul, a man with multiple academic honors and a first rate mind, categorizes the gospel as ‘mystery’ not formula. J.I. Packer rightly argued in his book “Knowing God” that the study of God is the master science. It is that, but it is more.
The study of God is the master ‘art.’ The best of science and art won’t bring us to the end of comprehending God, but may be scratching the surface of the surface. Such an argument is unsatisfying to some, but to others it is actually comforting.” Let me encourage you to memorize and reflect often on portions like Romans 11:33-36. That’s what Paul encouraged us to do in Colossians 3:1-2:
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
