In Theology, The Basics, Alister E. McGrath briefly discusses the disagreement between Emil Brunner and Karl Barth regarding Brunner publishing Nature and Grace. There he argued that “the task of our theological generation is to find a way back to a legitimate natural theology,” I am quoting McGrath who was quoting Brunner.
I believe the task of my theological generation is to somehow pass on to the next generation a semen religionis, and hope in Christ, despite being culture washed and pasteurized into something the first century church would not recognize.
I certainly agree with Barth that God doesn’t need any help from us to be known, but at the same time I agree with Brunner that there is something inside of us, placed there by God, a hole in our hearts, an emptiness in our spirits, and a hunger and thirst we don’t understand. There are circumstances that come to all of us that demand our attention. Was that a coincidence or was that the hand of God in my life?
I can't remember not being aware of God, but I definitely remember when my need for Christ was revealed to me. Before then there were many things in nature that piqued that hole in my heart and hinted of much more. What touches your heart; a bubbling brook, a chirping bird, the smell of rain, the sound of rustling leaves, or wet sand between your toes?
Years ago my friend Elmer took us to Crater Lake where we spent several days snowmobiling. One late night we turned off our machines and the silence of the woods wrapped us in its shawl. I stared into a star lit canopy and experienced a great sense of peace. I was and still am greatly moved by nature, but I agree with Barth that though I was moved, I was not changed.
I am stirred by nature, but now there is an awareness of God’s greatness and gentleness. Before, to stand on a rock and stare out to sea, enjoying the smell and sounds and sights of endless waves would leave me feeling small and insignificant, like a grain of sand. Now I stand in awe that God created such power and beauty, but still takes heed of me. The focus has shifted from the sea itself to the one who set its borders.
A few years ago we lost our two Great Pyrennes, one to cancer and one to a broken heart. I remember how Angel would lay in the grass and stare up into the trees. Her nose was constantly sniffing the air and her ears would twitch at the sound of different birds. She would move her head to look at a plane flying over head. She was very aware of her surroundings. She loved the outdoors and she loved people, but loving Lily was the closest she could come to loving God.
I am not trying to compare people to dogs, but I don’t believe a love and appreciation of nature, art, music or even our fellow brothers and sisters will bring us into a relationship with God. Everyone is created in the image of God so everyone has that desire for God. How we fill that hole in our hearts is our choice.
Romans 1:20 says that Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made, so that we are without excuse. Romans 1:20 may lead me to consider that merely gazing upon the works of God would convince the one gazing that there is a God, but God wants more, God wants relationship.
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