Day 4, Saturday, Book of Faith – Lenten Journey
“In your faith community, in what ways is God’s transcendence emphasized? God’s immanence? Is it a good balance? Why or why not?”
This question in our reading has got me thinking. As pastor, which do I emphasize more? My gut reaction is that I tend to emphasize God’s immanence more than God’s transcendence, maybe assuming that God’s transcendence is quickly and easily obvious whereas God’s immanence is not. The creation of a universe that is billions of light years in size declares God’s transcendence. I think most people get that. I think we don’t easily grasp the intimate connection we have with God, particularly through Holy Baptism.
Now, I appreciate the author’s concern that over emphasizing God’s immanence can lead to domesticating God. “God in my heart” can easily become the God I control; the God that fits into my understanding of God. I like how the author emphasizes the juxtaposition of “Father” and “in heaven.” It is both. We need both.
So, I’m curious. What do you think? Does Zion emphasize one aspect of God over the other or is there a good balance?
I think that people are going to hear what you are saying based on their own experience and background. I had to look up the words and my understanding is that immanence is inside us and transcendence is outside us. My opinion on the matter then is that it is an equal balance between the two. There is no separation. I don’t think that Zion emphasizes one over the other because I believe they are equal. Some people may have a harder time truly believing that God is within us and that is the message that they will hear.
I too, had to look up these two words – transcendence and immanence – and agree with Amanda’s basic explanation of the difference between the two. God’s transcendence is far beyond what our little human minds can even begin to comprehend. He created EVERYTHING! He IS all powerful, all knowing, all present,…beyond the edges of the universe we can only guess at – HE IS. But – we are “created in His image and likeness”, with His own hands we became. He planted the earth with his own hands. Miracles! The “miracle” of miracles. At Baptism we become his with a Grace that came to be when His son – God made man – shed his blood and gave up His body. We receive that Body and Blood each time we recieve Communion. He is IN us.
He is with us. Jesus taught us how to pray so that we might teach others. He assures us of “our daily bread” so that we might share with others. Each time we pray, sing,…each time we help our neighbor, assist a stranger…..He is with us. In each first breath of a newborn baby – he is with us.
I think our Zion community is a bit more focused on that immanence. The first lessons we learn from the Bible teach us of God’s all powerful, all knowing, all present,,amazing transcendence – though we don’t use that “big word”. And now – we focus on God In us.
“Going where Jesus leads”….. He was a son, a teacher, a counselor, a healer, a friend and a sacrifice. A shining example is Zion’s Communion Ministry – God is surely with each and every one of them. So, my thoughts are that now, as adults in the Zion Community, this is where our greater focus is – God’s immanence – as we look for more ways to share the gifts we have.
The lessons and Gospel ( AND The Children’s Time) remind us of all that is God, reinforce the wonderment that is God, the EVERYTHING that is God……the transcendence of God.
Gosh, I guess I sure had a lot to say! I hope we hear from more of you!
I guess I’m still in the early stage of my conversion… I need God to be here next to me daily. If he isn’t I feel like I’m too far removed from him. I want him walking with me literally. I talk to him when I’m in my house and I need his help with something. I thank him when something goes right in my life-it could be for any small little thing. I know that he’s created the majestic stars, colorful singing birds, and beautiful little babies with perfect little pinky fingernails and I’m in awe of that and the magnificence of his power. But for right now I need to have God here and within me. I’m filled with love and joy when I leave worship and that’s good enough for me!