viewoutsidethepew

I’m not a philosopher, but I had to take two philosophy courses in university. In one course we studied the argument about proving the existence of God. One of the arguments against the reality of God is that God is invisible.

In reality it’s not that God cannot be known through human senses. Rather, people want to keep God at arm’s length as an intellectual premise. That keeps us in control.

The Conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus by Michelangelo. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As Fenelon (1651-1715) wrote, what we “stand most in need of, is the knowledge of God. They know, to be sure, by dint of reading, that history gives an account of a certain series of miracles and marked providences; they have reflected seriously on the corruption and instability of worldly things; they are even, perhaps, convinced that the reformation of their lives on certain principles of morality is desirable in order to their salvation; but the whole of the edifice is destitute of foundation; this pious and Christian exterior possesses no soul. The living principle which animates every true believer, God, the all and in all, the author and the sovereign of all, is wanting [missing].”

God is visible to human senses.

Moses saw God, and his face shone after the experience. What did the Hebrews learn from that? They made Moses wear a veil so they could not see the glory of God! (Exodus 34:29-35)

Ananias restoring the sight of Saint Paul (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Saul met Jesus by sight and sound on the road to Damascus. It transformed him from an enemy into Paul the apostle after Jesus met Ananias and told him to go to Saul. (Acts 9:1-19)

Abraham met three strangers who, as the story unfolds, turn out to be God. (Genesis 18:1-15)

John met Jesus in visions and recorded what Jesus passed on and we know it as the Bible book of Revelation.

“In the year King Uzziah died, I [Isaiah ] saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple” (Isaiah 6:1 God’s Word).

The list goes on and on.

So we can know God. Scrap the crap about the invisible God who cannot be known.

Jesus is physically present in my life. We talk. I have experienced Jesus helping to drive the work truck. I have felt the hand of God on my shoulder. I have fallen in awe when Jesus came in power, not when I needed it, but just because Creator wanted to spend friendship time.

Am I the only one these days to know God by senses and visions and overwhelming experience?

I hope not!

Why not share your own experience of knowing God like this. Forget philosophy and theology, I mean actually meet God, know God as Fenelon calls us to do.