Ep.139 - Contrast and Comparisons: Presence and Absence

Click here to text us your thoughts and questions!What do we mean by God’s presence? Are we always assured of its tangible reality? In spite of Jesus’s promise to never leave us or forsake us, we also understand the painful tension of scriptures like Psalm 13:1—“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?” What does scripture mean when it speaks of God’s hiddenness within the reality of his permanent promise of presence? Many Christians believe that it is within themselves to determine God’s presence with them. If we behave, God walks with us, if we don't, he departs from us; but is that what scripture truly tells us, or is the picture very different?This week the Curious team seek to lay a biblical foundation of divine presence, unpacking a threefold understanding of presence namely; God’s general omini-presence; his tangible, visceral presence; and his redemptive, saving presence. They’ll seek to more adequately define absence and hiddenness in the light of these three resounding truths of presence; before closing the episode with a number of practical understandings in how we better live with the absence/present tension. Join the team this week as they uncover some rather significant and surprising aspects of God’s dealings with us Further ReadingHere’s a bit of homework for you….check out these articles around this weeks theme…When God's Presence Feels Absent - TheGospelCoalition.orgWhen God isn't there - DesiringGod.orgCultivating Attentiveness to God's Presence - CSLewisInstitute.orgWhat we’re reading?As a feature to our notes, we are adding the book or books that we’ve been browsing and reading as part of this series. So here goes…enjoy;Francis A. Schaeffer — He Is There and He Is Not Silent David Bowden — When God Isn’t ThereSend your questions or thoughts to: [email protected] us on Instagram @theologyforthecuriousFind us on TikTok: @theologyforthecurious