Breakfast with John Owen 1

What do Coldplay and John Owen, the English Puritan, have in common? Maybe nothing other than I am listening to the one while considering the other. I'm quite sure it's not what Owen had in mind, but it's not all that's changed. In Communion with God, he writes in Chapter 1: "Human wisdom sees such an infinite disparity between God and man that it concludes there can be no communion between them. The knowledge that God and man can live in fellowship together is hidden in Christ. It is too wonderful for sinful, corrupted human nature to discover. Human wisdom leads only to terrors and fears when it thinks of coming into God's presence. But we have, in Christ, the way into God's presence without fear."

I am wondering whether or not Owen would say the same to mankind today? I've written previously about approaching God with what Nichole Nordeman (in her song Tremble) identifies as the tension between the causal and reverential approach toward God. We now live in a culture that has removed the exclusive nature of the Christian religion and substituted a hearth-like cultural warmth, a comfortable spirituality that is casual if not downright cavalier (Nordeman's term). Should I be listening to Coldplay and contemplating the theology of Owen?

In Owen's day humanity was terrified of God and longed for the mediation of Christ. In our day it seems that most live a practical atheism at the very least where to be in the presence of God (if he does exist) is like bumping into Mickey Mouse at the Wal-Mart. Or it's like God is in some room of the house (if He is there at all), probably watching the news and drinking coffee or tea. He is accessible when needed but unnoticed like a fire hose behind easily broken glass. Even there, who needs a mediator? Just ring the servant's bell. This would be the Grand Creator of all mind you. Making that assumption, maybe the "professors" state their point by wearing their God-understanding on their sleeves. Take note and beware. When it comes to God, we're all experts then-- and let no man become our teacher. We'll treat God as we know best and call it a private matter. We have our beliefs and prefer them unchallenged-- for to question an expert's assessment is the height of disrespect and intolerance.

Or maybe it's just my perspective tainting what is true about this posture of humanity. Perhaps the masses are afraid of God's presence. Maybe Owen is current. Maybe our society has forced the issue too much, so much so that we tip our hand and show our fear. To have God on our terms without further examination leaves us in the comfort zone. To consider a relationship with Him on His terms—to even entertain that he would have terms—brings the unknown into view and that is far too unsettling. To keep this fellowship devoid of definition through Christ allows one the ebb and flow of relativism. Only when I admit that God is not marginalized, that he owns and occupies not just the TV room, but the entire estate do I see him as he is. He owns my life. I was born to live for His purposes. My life is not my own. I am loved but not excused. Guilty but pardoned. Accountable to his authority. Yes, that would be terrifying. "But we have, in Christ, the way into God's presence without fear." Such a progression of thought would make Owen's point a current event. Let's deal with it.