Mere acquaintance with correct doctrine is a poor substitute for Christ, and familiarity with New Testament eschatology will never take the place of a love-inflamed desire to look on His face. — A.W. Tozer

Tozer would not seek to minimize the importance of doctrinal studies, especially for us which are living in a culture dominated by churchianity in which ecumenism and biblical ignorance decorates the religious landscape. Tozer’s point is well taken and likely insulting not only to modern mainstream churchianity but also to those who elevate doctrinal studies over compassionate hearts that reach out to those in need.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV)

You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me [i.e. Jesus]… (John 5:39 ESV)

Notice the two inseparably interrelated distinctives. God’s people should be the most serious bible students with a thorough understanding of John 5:39. Hopefully then, whether studying essential core doctrines or contemplating the various eschatological viewpoints, our studies will help kindle that “love-inflamed desire to look on His face.”

On the other hand, there is no doctrine more hated by worldlings, no truth of which they have made such a football–as the great, stupendous, but yet most certain doctrine, of the sovereignty of the infinite Jehovah. Men will allow God to be everywhere, except on His throne. They will allow Him to be in His workshop to fashion worlds and make stars. They will allow Him to be in His almonry to dispense His alms and bestow His bounties. They will allow Him to sustain the earth and bear up the pillars thereof, or light the lamps of heaven, or rule the waves of the ever-moving ocean; but when God ascends His throne–then His creatures gnash their teeth!

We proclaim an enthroned God, and His right to do as He wills with His own, to dispose of His creatures as He thinks well, without consulting them in the matter. Then it is, that we are hissed and execrated; and then it is, that men turn a deaf ear to us–for God on His throne–is not the God they love. But it is God upon the throne that we love to preach. It is God upon His throne, whom we trust!

Though His revelation of Himself is complete, God remains very mysterious.  As a diamond is multifaceted, so is God’s personality.   It is a dangerous error to ignore the contrasts of personality that God has demonstrated exist in His holy character.  To present God as only One who loves, without revealing His love with His holy justice, is to present a false God.

Equally errant is the man I know that insisted that Hurricane Katrina was strictly the revelation of God’s divine judgment.  Was God judging? I am certain He was.  Yet was He not also being merciful, bringing people to know Him?  Was He not also growing and molding His people into His image through trial?  God is always up to more than we see.

He was the meekest and lowliest of all the sons of men, yet he spoke of coming on the clouds of heaven with the glory of God. He was so austere that evil spirits and demons cried out in terror at his coming, yet he was so genial and winsome and approachable that the children loved to play with him, and the little ones nestled in his arms. His presence at the innocent gaiety of a village wedding was like the presence of sunshine.

No one was half so compassionate to sinners, yet no one ever spoke such red hot scorching words about sin. A bruised reed he would not break, his whole life was love, yet on one occasion he demanded of the Pharisees how they ever expected to escape the damnation of hell. He was a dreamer of dreams and a seer of visions, yet for sheer stark realism He has all of our stark realists soundly beaten. He was a servant of all, washing the disciples feet, yet masterfully He strode into the temple, and the hucksters and moneychangers fell over one another to get away from the mad rush and the fire they saw blazing in His eyes.

He saved others, yet at the last Himself He did not save. There is nothing in history like the union of contrasts which confronts us in the gospels. The mystery of Jesus is the mystery of divine personality.

– James Stewart, Scottish theologian

The only reason that Paul could say that he was innocent of the blood of all men, is because he declared the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:26-27).  Paul spoke of Him as Savior and Judge.  As loving and severe.  As just and the Justifier.  He declared the love and mercy of God alongside the justice and wrath of God.  He spoke of us as sinners, and Jesus as the Savior.

When you speak of God to others, honor the mystery of His complexity.  Do not speak of His love without contextualizing it with His holiness.  As RC Sproul has said,  “Any attempt to understand God apart from His holiness is idolatry.”