Henri Nouwen was a simple person with three elements to his simplicity: he loved the Lord, he loved people, and he loved the church. These three elements were the pillars that held his faith and made his theologies so universally appealing to Christians, agnostics, none’s, and even atheists. Two truths held Nouwen’s belief in focus, Jesus’s condescension (kenosis) and incarnation. These two same truths are central throughout his ecumenical work and writings.
When I am research interesting things, sleep may become aloof. It usually happens between when I lay down and when I go to sleep; right there, at the threshold of consciousness. I lay there thinking thoughts of perspective and order, which are correct during the day! This period of half-asleep I call nighttime contemplation (Wish I had some fancy word). It is a world where we explore the fantasia of possibilities and uncertainty: is what we know to be truthful, true? A time when the mind moves and knowing is debated and solidified. Does this need further exploration or should I “trust and obey” and go to sleep?
In Philippians 2:7, Jesus "emptied himself.” The word used for emptied in Greek is the verb κενόω (Strong's G2758 – kenoō) to empty, make empty. Christ's knowledge was far higher than that of other men, “he knew all people.” (Jn 2:24) In Mark 13:32 and the parallel Matthew 24:36, Jesus lacks knowledge of the exact time of the Parousia,[3] “that day or hour no one knows.”
How is this intellectual duality explained? Jesus’ knowledge is not scholarly knowledge raised to an incalculable level. [4] As for His intellect, omniscience was emptied. [5] He was fully human like us "in every respect" (He 2:17), yet at the same time, he continued to possess "all the fullness of deity in bodily form" (Col 2:9). The key phrase: Jesus became like us “in every respect” (NASB: "in all things").
Jesus grew and filled with wisdom:[6] His physical body went through the normal stages of development from infancy to adulthood, mental knowledge increased as he studied and observed. He learned from his teachers and observed the events that went on around him. He diligently studied and learned the Word of God, along with what he needed to know to build His ministry.
God's plan since the fall is to redeem us completely.[7] The human experience was not an option for the Son, but something "he had to do" in order to save mankind.[8] The early church fathers understood the theological and practical necessity for the messianic redeemer to be fully like the people he intended to redeem from sin and death (See: Going Deep with Origen). To come to earth as only a partial human would suggest salvation was only partial. For the whole of man to be redeemed, a Redeemer who himself is a whole man in order to take the place (substitute) of another human being (He 2:14, 17; 10:4). The substitute must be eternal so that his suffering could have an infinite application (atonement) in order to work for every person and to last forever (He 7:23-25). The God-man is the obedient servant and Redeemer, following and obeying the will of the Father (Phm 2:8; He 5:8) for 33 years.
Reconciliation is perhaps the greatest lesson in Scripture. The gospel cannot be the gospel without the ministry of peace and reconciliation.”[9]
Most Nighttime contemplation's are not this involved. If it is, keep a pencil and paper ready by your bed to write down what needs to be explored. Then “trust and obey” and go to sleep.
[1] Trust and Obey hymn, John H. Sammis, 1887. Accessed, https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Trust_and_Obey
[2] Nouwen, Henri J. M. Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life. New York: Convergent Books, 2016. (23)
[3] Parousia in this context meaning second coming: Matthew 24:27, 37, 39; Revelation 19:11
[4] Knowledge (noun): acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition https://www.dictionary.com/browse/knowledge?s=t
[5] Intellect (noun): the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract or academic matters. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/intellect
[6] Christ grew physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually (Luke 2:40, 52); Christ became hungry and thirsty (Matt. 4:2; 21:18; John 19:28); Christ became tired and sleepy (Matt. 8:24; John 4:6); Christ faced temptations to sin (Heb. 4:15); Christ died a real physical death (Luke 23:46).
[7] Biblical account of creation and the fall in Genesis 1–3.
[8] Rom. 5:8-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 1:19-22
[9] Agosto, Efrain. Servant Leadership: Jesus & Paul. St. Louis, Missouri: Chalice Press, 2005. (206-207)
When I am research interesting things, sleep may become aloof. It usually happens between when I lay down and when I go to sleep; right there, at the threshold of consciousness. I lay there thinking thoughts of perspective and order, which are correct during the day! This period of half-asleep I call nighttime contemplation (Wish I had some fancy word). It is a world where we explore the fantasia of possibilities and uncertainty: is what we know to be truthful, true? A time when the mind moves and knowing is debated and solidified. Does this need further exploration or should I “trust and obey” and go to sleep?
- When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
- What a glory He sheds on our way!
- While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
- And with all who will trust and obey. [1]
In Philippians 2:7, Jesus "emptied himself.” The word used for emptied in Greek is the verb κενόω (Strong's G2758 – kenoō) to empty, make empty. Christ's knowledge was far higher than that of other men, “he knew all people.” (Jn 2:24) In Mark 13:32 and the parallel Matthew 24:36, Jesus lacks knowledge of the exact time of the Parousia,[3] “that day or hour no one knows.”
How is this intellectual duality explained? Jesus’ knowledge is not scholarly knowledge raised to an incalculable level. [4] As for His intellect, omniscience was emptied. [5] He was fully human like us "in every respect" (He 2:17), yet at the same time, he continued to possess "all the fullness of deity in bodily form" (Col 2:9). The key phrase: Jesus became like us “in every respect” (NASB: "in all things").
Jesus grew and filled with wisdom:[6] His physical body went through the normal stages of development from infancy to adulthood, mental knowledge increased as he studied and observed. He learned from his teachers and observed the events that went on around him. He diligently studied and learned the Word of God, along with what he needed to know to build His ministry.
God's plan since the fall is to redeem us completely.[7] The human experience was not an option for the Son, but something "he had to do" in order to save mankind.[8] The early church fathers understood the theological and practical necessity for the messianic redeemer to be fully like the people he intended to redeem from sin and death (See: Going Deep with Origen). To come to earth as only a partial human would suggest salvation was only partial. For the whole of man to be redeemed, a Redeemer who himself is a whole man in order to take the place (substitute) of another human being (He 2:14, 17; 10:4). The substitute must be eternal so that his suffering could have an infinite application (atonement) in order to work for every person and to last forever (He 7:23-25). The God-man is the obedient servant and Redeemer, following and obeying the will of the Father (Phm 2:8; He 5:8) for 33 years.
Reconciliation is perhaps the greatest lesson in Scripture. The gospel cannot be the gospel without the ministry of peace and reconciliation.”[9]
Most Nighttime contemplation's are not this involved. If it is, keep a pencil and paper ready by your bed to write down what needs to be explored. Then “trust and obey” and go to sleep.
[1] Trust and Obey hymn, John H. Sammis, 1887. Accessed, https://library.timelesstruths.org/music/Trust_and_Obey
[2] Nouwen, Henri J. M. Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life. New York: Convergent Books, 2016. (23)
[3] Parousia in this context meaning second coming: Matthew 24:27, 37, 39; Revelation 19:11
[4] Knowledge (noun): acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles, as from study or investigation; general erudition https://www.dictionary.com/browse/knowledge?s=t
[5] Intellect (noun): the faculty of reasoning and understanding objectively, especially with regard to abstract or academic matters. https://www.dictionary.com/browse/intellect
[6] Christ grew physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually (Luke 2:40, 52); Christ became hungry and thirsty (Matt. 4:2; 21:18; John 19:28); Christ became tired and sleepy (Matt. 8:24; John 4:6); Christ faced temptations to sin (Heb. 4:15); Christ died a real physical death (Luke 23:46).
[7] Biblical account of creation and the fall in Genesis 1–3.
[8] Rom. 5:8-11; 2 Cor. 5:18-20; Col. 1:19-22
[9] Agosto, Efrain. Servant Leadership: Jesus & Paul. St. Louis, Missouri: Chalice Press, 2005. (206-207)
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