Longing to Know
by Esther Lightcap Meek
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Book Summary Information
Author: Esther Lightcap MeekEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-07-01
ISBN: 1587430606
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Brazos Press
Book Reviews of Longing to Know
Book Review: Don't 'Question Everything', but Question how we question!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an excellent resource for those who think they know too much. We are given Scripture, revelation from above, in order that we might truly know God and ourselves. However, the same Scripture that gives to us "true truth" or true knowledge is the same Scripture that teaches us humility with regard to what we know. Why? Because we cannot fully know all things because our minds are tainted by sin. We rightfully interpret the world and ourselves when we look through the lens of Scripture, but we do not consistently interpret God, ourselves, or our world through the lens of Scripture. Every sin that we commit, every time we doubt or are skeptical, this is a misinterpretation of reality.
This book by a Polanyi scholar is helpful in addressing the 20th century church's, particularly the evangelical's temptation toward accepting a modern worldview, and interpreting God, the world and ourselves through this modern lens. It is ironic that many Christians today would argue adamantly against secular humanism and modernity in its self-centered, autonomous, rational manifestations, but then they would gladly welcome and receive the self-centered, autonomous, and rational methodology of knowing that was born in the Enlightment by self-centered, autonomous, and rational individuals.
This book if read carefully will remind us that all knowledge is ultimately "covenantal knowledge". Who God is, who we are, what world we live in is all revealed in Scripture so that we might understand reality from God's perspective and submit our knowledge and understand to his- - humbly. All of us interpret the world according to what we know, from whom we have learned it, and through the lens of our own biases and presuppositions.
In order to rightly interpret God, ourselves and the world around us faithfully and accurately, we must first be aware of this, then humbly seek to know through the Scriptures God has given to us, in the Church Jesus is building for us, and remind ourselves of the authorities and the loved ones who have taught us and continue to teach us.
If you are struggling with your knowledge of God, yourself, and the world, and if you are completely honest enough to humbly admit it, then read the Book of Ecclesiastes first, then read Esther Lightcap Meek's book on "Longing to Know"!
Many Christians today want absolute knowledge about God. What is frightening about this mindset is that it was born from a secular, autonomous, humanist way of thinking. It is not merely inquisitive, but rabidly proud. For many Christians I have known have left the Church and their faith because they thought that to question was a sin and therefore something was wrong with their faith. Those who want absolute "proof" and "evidence" should check to see where their faith is directed. At God in Christ by faith? Or in their ability to prove God in Christ by reason?
Christians need to repent of their pride in wanting too much evidence, and be confident in the Scriptures that God has given to us. As Jesus said himself, they have Moses and the prophets listen to them...for even if one rises from the dead they will not believe." What this means is that even if we have all the evidence in the world that demands a verdict, if we don't humble ourselves before Jesus and His Special Revelation, we will not believe and paradoxically we will not truly know.
Humility by God's grace in the Scriptures is the way toward true knowing, any other way is pride that goes before the fall.
You will be challenged in this book helpful and clear philosophical book. But even the strongest, most mature Christians doubt sometimes and find themselves being skeptical. Allow this book to remind you of what knowledge is all about. Allow this book to humble you and turn you toward the living God in Christ. Allow this book to help you engage those who are struggling with their knowledge of God, themselves and their world.
Don't Question Everything, but Question how we question everything!
Summary of Longing to Know
Longing to Know is a book about knowing: knowing how we know things, knowing how we know people, and knowing how we know God.Knowing God is like knowing your auto mechanic, claims Esther. Ordinary acts of knowing are pervasive, and knowing God is just such an ordinary act of knowing. This message restores hope and confidence, as well as a sense of humility, adventure, and stewardship.
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