As I have been reading for my Systematic Theology class, I came to a point in our discussion about the human limitations in our knowledge of God and the struggle to wrap our minds around His incommunicable attributes. I struggle a bit with taking the bounds of human language as something in which God can not communicate who He is. Yet, I see the limitations of the human “reasoning” simply because we do not hold certain attributes in which only a Transcendent and Immanent God has. Calvin is known to draw on the analogy of spectacles in comparison to how scripture works in this regard. It brings into better view the observations we make about the world around us and wrestling with doctrine such as the creation. I’m not too familiar with Calvin’s use of this analogy, but of course the writer in our systematic book refers to Genesis and Institutes as a starting point. He summarizes this concept by stating this: ” The Scriptures make plain to us what we otherwise would not see, just as spectacles enable us to overcome deficient vision.” ¹

So, why do I bring this up. Sure I need to do a bit more research on Calvin’s use of this analogy and I plan to, but I note this issue simply because of the battle ragging over truth in our society today. Ideology was once described to me as a spectacle almost like a pair of glasses in which we look at the world. So in our world, we have many different pairs of glasses you can put on and look at the world through. The difference here between this definition of ideology and Calvin must be made clear. Calvin is using spectacle more like a focusing tool and the philosopher uses the spectacle as different shades of sunglasses.

Calvin is pointing out what I think is the beauty of how scripture strips away ideology and reveals what is truth. In other words, scripture is not a lens in which we gain a different perspective. It is a lens in which all is revealed for what the creator made it to be. Sunglasses don’t bring anything into focus, they simply keep things out of focus and even block out the piercing light the reveals. (i’m also thinking different colors here as well. I see the limitations of the analogy for ideology but I think it makes the stark difference even more clear) So speculation is something we are not at liberty to make with the lens of scripture. In order to see anything for what it truly is. Scripture must be the lens by which we bring into focus our surroundings.

As I work through systematic theology, I’m humbled by these topics. Yet I’m encouraged to know that God has sought after us in such a way that we may reverently draw close to Him as He makes himself known to us. John Piper once described the study, a bit like taking out the precious jewels of the faith and carefully curating them. (I don’t mean to botch his statements but I recall him saying something like this in one of his messages. If you have heard this message and have a more eloquent way of saying this please let me know) This is what I have taken this to be like. How magnificent is our God that we may know His name.

1: Akin, Daniel L. A Theology for the Church P.256