“The Knowledge of God” by Dr. E.W. Bullinger

For the next few posting we'll be sharing articles, chapters, books and thoughts from other known and not so well known authors of like or similar faith. Here is the first of what may become many.

“The Knowledge of God”
by Dr. E.W. Bullinger
This will be done in parts as this is twenty pages in length.

“It is quite one of the “signs of the times” that the Godhead is becoming a subject of discussion; and the doctrines connected with the Trinity and the Virgin birth, are considered as open questions, not affecting the standing or faith of a Christian. But there is another question which lies beneath this. The real question is: How many of us really know the God whom we worship? Is it not the case with very many that it is “ the unknown God?”

The true knowledge of God lies at the foundation of the revelation of the Mystery. Hence it is the great keynote of the Epistle to the Ephesians; and is the link which unites the three Prison-Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians), and binds them to the Epistles to the Thessalonians where, in that typical Church (1 Thessalonians 1:7, RV), we see the wonderful effect produced by the true knowledge of God in heart and life. And the Epistle to the Hebrews as the means of acquiring the Rest and Knowledge of God.

In the Epistles to the Romans, Galatians, and Corinthians it is the knowledge of man which is made known; but in the Prison-Epistles and the Epistle to the Hebrews it is the knowledge of God which is revealed. In the former three it is man, and how he is justified. In the latter four it is God, and how He is revealed.

Hence, one of the blessings enumerated in Ephesians is that God “has abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known to us the mystery ( or the secret) of His Will”; which means His secret purpose (verses. 8, 9): and the measure of this blessing is declared to “according to His good pleasure which He has purposed in Himself” (verses. 9, 10).

This knowledge of God is to be obtained, not by reasoning, but by revelation; not by intellectual attainment, but by God’s gift.

Hence the prayer that follows on this is that “God... may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM” (verse 17).

In the Epistle to the Philippians, which is reproof for failure in respect of Ephesian teaching, the opening prayer is that their love to one another as members of the one Body “may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment” (Phil. 1:9).

This full knowledge of God is revealed and found only in the person of Jesus Christ. Hence in Phil. 3:10 the Apostle declares that between our being “found in HIM “ in regeneration Grace, and our being made like HIM in resurrection glory, our whole time is to be filled up with the pursuance of one thing, and that is still Christ, and is expressed in the strong desire “that I may get to know HIM” (verse 10).

In Colossians we have the same prayer as in Ephesians 1:17, but it is in its blessed object and effect on ourselves. “I Pray,” the Apostle says, “that you might be filled with the knowledge of His Will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (verse 9).
􀁹 Why?
􀁹 “That we might walk worthy of the Lord to all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work” (verse 10).
Thus, not only is our walk secured, but all the wondrous Truths connected with the Mystery are bound up in the true knowledge of God.

But, how are we to get to know Him? Who can tell us? When we come to this, which is the root of the whole matter, every thing and every man fails us. Articles, Creeds, and Confessions of Faith alike fail to give us this full knowledge of God which is so essential to our faith and walk. They are all only man’s impressions, inferences, and conclusions drawn from Scripture; and have themselves to be judged by Scripture. Whatever of truth there may be in them; or however useful, or even necessary, they may be in their proper place, they can never take the place of the Word of God. Only in the person of the Living Word, and in the pages of the Written Word, can we get to know God.

We do not, therefore, now propose to discuss doctrines, or to use any non-scriptural expressions; not even such words as “Trinity” or “Unity”, or Ecclesiastical terminology. These are the things which divide the members of the One Body, instead of uniting them. These introduce the seeds of strife and contention. These have been the causes of controversies and martyrdoms. But, if we confine ourselves to the Word of God, and that alone, both writer and readers may, and will, all learn together what God has revealed concerning Himself. We shall not seek to draw any conclusions, or to discuss or revise any creeds. We shall give only the evidence of Scripture in the words of Scripture; and use only Scriptural terminology. What we have to do in this matter is not to teach, but to learn; not to consider doctrines, but facts; and not to resort to reasoning, but to revelation. It is not a question of our understanding what God may mean, but of believing what He has said. And disclosed to us through and in the person of His Son.