...instead, negative capability is what being a Christian is all about.
The great English poet John Keats defines negative capability as when an individual "is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason" rather than "being incapable of remaining content with half-knowledge" (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/essay/237836?page=2).
Keats doesn't say that we shouldn't be curious or that we shouldn't use reason; instead, he says that some things defy reason and can't be understood by rationalizations...and that we have to be okay with it. People are most successful when they can ponder, but at the end of the day, there has to be a certain measure of acceptance of uncertainty.
So, how do Christians live in "uncertainties, mysteries, and doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason"?
Paul writes, "Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory" (NIV 1 Timothy 3:16).
The story of Jesus, along with many Biblical truths, clearly defies reason. In fact, these truths are not just improbable, they are impossible according to science. Here are some other sections of Scripture that emphasize this point.
Paul says elsewhere, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (NIV Colossians 1:27).
And, "With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" (NIV Ephesians 1:8-10).
We have and hold the absolute truth of God, the mystery of God, by FAITH and faith alone. It is given to use by GRACE and grace alone. We do not understand the mysteries of God with human reason. Instead, we trust God. We do not search for the truth of God, applying reason and science, because we know God through FAITH.
"8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast" (NIV Ephesians 2:8-9).
If you are curious and have negative capability, you may want to check out this complete list of the usage of the word "mystery" in the NIV.
The great English poet John Keats defines negative capability as when an individual "is capable of being in uncertainties, mysteries, doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason" rather than "being incapable of remaining content with half-knowledge" (http://www.poetryfoundation.org/learning/essay/237836?page=2).
Keats doesn't say that we shouldn't be curious or that we shouldn't use reason; instead, he says that some things defy reason and can't be understood by rationalizations...and that we have to be okay with it. People are most successful when they can ponder, but at the end of the day, there has to be a certain measure of acceptance of uncertainty.
So, how do Christians live in "uncertainties, mysteries, and doubts, without any irritable reaching after fact and reason"?
Paul writes, "Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory" (NIV 1 Timothy 3:16).
The story of Jesus, along with many Biblical truths, clearly defies reason. In fact, these truths are not just improbable, they are impossible according to science. Here are some other sections of Scripture that emphasize this point.
Paul says elsewhere, "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (NIV Colossians 1:27).
And, "With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ" (NIV Ephesians 1:8-10).
We have and hold the absolute truth of God, the mystery of God, by FAITH and faith alone. It is given to use by GRACE and grace alone. We do not understand the mysteries of God with human reason. Instead, we trust God. We do not search for the truth of God, applying reason and science, because we know God through FAITH.
"8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast" (NIV Ephesians 2:8-9).
If you are curious and have negative capability, you may want to check out this complete list of the usage of the word "mystery" in the NIV.
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