The Incomprehensible Infinity of God and the Primacy of Subjective Encounter
The vast and unfathomable nature of God's infinity, which remains utterly transcendent yet profoundly immanent, forms the cornerstone of redemptive theology, emphasizing that His divine essence surpasses all finite comprehension. This divine infinitude, articulated through classical theism and reaffirmed by Reformed theologians like John Calvin, underscores that the creaturely mind cannot contain or exhaust the infinite—it is fundamentally incapable of fully grasping the boundless nature of God (finitum non capax infiniti). Nevertheless, God, in His gracious condescension, has chosen to reveal Himself in ways that invite us into a deeply personal, subjective communion rather than a detached or purely intellectual understanding.
Divine Reactions as Channels of Sovereign Love and Mercy
The divine reactions—manifestations of His sovereign love, justice, and mercy—serve as the primary channels through which believers experience His presence, as these reactions are more aligned with our creaturely condition than any human response we could generate on our own. These divine actions echo the scriptural truth that “His understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:5), and although no one has seen God at any time, His self-revelation through the incarnate Son (John 1:18) and the inspired Scriptures makes Him accessible to faith and experience. Actions, divine pronouncements, and the eternal subjectivity of divine love operate within a framework that transcends mere words—speaking louder than any human speech can. In the divine economy, God's love and reactive responses are not limited by time or human measurement; rather, they transcend all temporal constraints, inviting believers to trust in and depend upon the extreme, often mysterious, experiences of God's reactions. Our natural, limited responses—reactive rather than proactive—are insufficient to fully grasp or respond to divine love, which operates on a level far beyond our finite comprehension.
From Propositional Knowledge to Lived Affective Union
As Herman Bavinck and other esteemed Reformed thinkers have pointed out, God's immensity and incomprehensibility do not render Him unknowable; instead, they beckon us toward a faith that moves beyond propositional knowledge into a lived, affective union with the divine. This union involves learning to act subjectively, drawing upon our accumulated personal experiences as fuel to issue authoritative decrees—decrees that can destroy our susceptibility to fleeting worldly pains and pleasures—thus aligning ourselves more closely with the eternal subjectivity of God. His reactions, often exceeding human understanding, remain perfectly consistent with His unchanging character, inviting believers into a deeper, experiential knowledge rooted in divine love. Humans tend to excel at reactive responses rather than bold declarations, yet the eternal subjectivity of God reveals that His reactions—extreme in power and wisdom—are designed to cultivate a subjective reactivity within His followers. This reactivity should be rooted in direct, experiential knowledge of God, fostering a personal and intimate encounter that shapes the believer’s life.
The Psalmist, Divine Desire, and the Metaphysical Bond
Biblical Psalms, regarded by Reformers and Puritans as a “little Bible,” serve as a vital resource for training the soul to voice personal encounters with the divine rather than engage in abstract speculation. The unity of God's sincere wishes, expressed through authoritative statements, underscores that humanity was created for an inherently intimate, metaphysical relationship with the divine—a relational ontology in which the Triune God eternally delights in fellowship (cf. John 17:21–23). The psalmist's role exemplifies this divine desire; they fulfill what the Lord desires, which is the happiness and safety of His children. Though a psalmist may at times produce something unexpected, it remains clear that God is the ultimate social being, whose purposes encompass all variations and expressions. The divine unity of His sincere wishes emanates from authoritative decrees, not mechanical inevitability; the psalmist’s service reflects a dynamic, living connection between heaven and earth—an ongoing divine-human relationship rooted in personal experience.
Purpose, Personal Encounter, and the Overwhelming Opening of Heaven
Every divine purpose begins with a unique, individual experience of connection—whether with God directly or through His mediated presence—highlighting that genuine love and purpose emerge from a personal, intimate relationship rather than from mere external rituals or objective observations. When the heavens open and divine encounter occurs, it overwhelms every human faculty (cf. Isaiah 6:1–8; Acts 9:3–9), reminding believers that true purpose originates from a first-hand, personal experience of divine contact. Such encounters are foundational to understanding that we must love God with fervent affection, not simply sense a vague linkage or perform routine acts; God sovereignly ordains all things, and no human effort can compel divine initiative. Experiences, especially those rooted in personal encounter, carry profound theological significance because they affirm the reality of God's unchanging existence—an eternal, immaterial reality that defies material limitations. We depend upon these extreme experiences of divine reactions because our own responses are often minor, fragile, or insufficient. Many find themselves isolated even amid crowds, yet our true measure is not external success but the quality of direct, first-hand engagement with God—the “eternal now”—which echoes His divine decree.
Modifying Struggles and Treasuring the Eternal Present
In the face of struggles and hardships, believers are called to modify their experiences in a manner that shifts perspective, fostering spiritual growth and renewal. Even on the worst days, glimpses of the Eternal Kingdom can be discerned; such moments are rooted in the divine decrees that transcend our immediate circumstances. We are encouraged to view our experiences through an objective lens—treasuring divine decrees—while holding onto subjective encounters in memory, shaping our ongoing spiritual journey. The present moment, when understood within God's divine ordination, becomes an eternal reality that we will carry with us forever. How we perceive reality influences the way we remember and interpret our life experiences. Transforming our reactions—particularly when efforts falter—becomes essential; even amid adversity, indirect encounters with the everlasting Kingdom may occur, revealing divine truth in unexpected ways. Objective reflection upon subjective divine encounters remains crucial in understanding the deeper meaning of our experiences.
Subjective Linkage, Eternal Decrees, and the Primacy of “Being”
Often, we fail to grasp the true significance of our encounters when we adopt a purely detached, scientific perspective; instead, God authenticates subjective experience through fundamental axioms of faith before it reaches its appointed conclusion, linking it directly to His divine presence. Not every event we undergo is purely scientific or detached; many are rooted in a subjective connection to God, which must be anchored in faith's axioms. Whether approaching a situation willingly or reluctantly, the ultimate significance lies not in immediate pleasure or pain but in the divine connection they forge. As the church and society at large, believers are called to prioritize those who live subjectively—those who focus on the good, the beautiful, and the present moment—over external appearances or superficial actions. God has deliberately structured reality so that we cannot fully connect our external “doing” to our true identity, preventing us from mistaking performance for being. Instead, He has inseparably linked us to His eternal decrees, enabling us to focus on the experiential dimension of all we accomplish.
Trusting “Being” over “Doing”: Puritan Piety and the Storehouse of Experience
Trust in “being” rather than frantic “doing” aligns with the Puritan vision, which emphasizes the importance of enjoying and resting in God's purpose rather than striving incessantly in external activity. The Puritans, with their deep commitment to integrated piety and experiential religion, maintained that true godliness encompasses the entire life—affections, will, and intellect—all oriented toward communion with God rather than self-derived activity. They regarded the Psalms as a treasury of personal experience, urging believers to silence distracting noise and vocally express their encounters with the divine. The mind becomes a storehouse, from which believers retrieve the treasures of lived experience and patiently discern God's hand in their lives. This approach teaches that “being” in Christ—rooted in union with the infinite, invisible God—far surpasses external achievements or superficial religious acts.
Conclusion: Experiential Orthodoxy and the Gateway to the Eternal Kingdom
Ultimately, the infinite God, though invisible, is intimately knowable through His self-revelation in Christ and Scripture; He calls His people to a life of subjective encounter grounded in the objective truths of His Word. By issuing divine decrees informed by personal experience, modifying struggles into opportunities for growth, and prioritizing genuine relationship over mechanical duty, believers participate in the eternal subjectivity of divine love. This path, richly attested in the Psalms and elaborated upon by Reformed and Puritan divines, does not lead to self-centered mysticism but to a robust, experiential orthodoxy—where the finite soul is graciously lifted into the boundless reality of the Triune God, transforming every moment, even amid crowds or adversity, into a potential gateway to the eternal Kingdom.
The vast and unfathomable nature of God's infinity, which remains utterly transcendent yet profoundly immanent, forms the cornerstone of redemptive theology, emphasizing that His divine essence surpasses all finite comprehension. This divine infinitude, articulated through classical theism and reaffirmed by Reformed theologians like John Calvin, underscores that the creaturely mind cannot contain or exhaust the infinite—it is fundamentally incapable of fully grasping the boundless nature of God (finitum non capax infiniti). Nevertheless, God, in His gracious condescension, has chosen to reveal Himself in ways that invite us into a deeply personal, subjective communion rather than a detached or purely intellectual understanding.
Divine Reactions as Channels of Sovereign Love and Mercy
The divine reactions—manifestations of His sovereign love, justice, and mercy—serve as the primary channels through which believers experience His presence, as these reactions are more aligned with our creaturely condition than any human response we could generate on our own. These divine actions echo the scriptural truth that “His understanding is beyond measure” (Psalm 147:5), and although no one has seen God at any time, His self-revelation through the incarnate Son (John 1:18) and the inspired Scriptures makes Him accessible to faith and experience. Actions, divine pronouncements, and the eternal subjectivity of divine love operate within a framework that transcends mere words—speaking louder than any human speech can. In the divine economy, God's love and reactive responses are not limited by time or human measurement; rather, they transcend all temporal constraints, inviting believers to trust in and depend upon the extreme, often mysterious, experiences of God's reactions. Our natural, limited responses—reactive rather than proactive—are insufficient to fully grasp or respond to divine love, which operates on a level far beyond our finite comprehension.
From Propositional Knowledge to Lived Affective Union
As Herman Bavinck and other esteemed Reformed thinkers have pointed out, God's immensity and incomprehensibility do not render Him unknowable; instead, they beckon us toward a faith that moves beyond propositional knowledge into a lived, affective union with the divine. This union involves learning to act subjectively, drawing upon our accumulated personal experiences as fuel to issue authoritative decrees—decrees that can destroy our susceptibility to fleeting worldly pains and pleasures—thus aligning ourselves more closely with the eternal subjectivity of God. His reactions, often exceeding human understanding, remain perfectly consistent with His unchanging character, inviting believers into a deeper, experiential knowledge rooted in divine love. Humans tend to excel at reactive responses rather than bold declarations, yet the eternal subjectivity of God reveals that His reactions—extreme in power and wisdom—are designed to cultivate a subjective reactivity within His followers. This reactivity should be rooted in direct, experiential knowledge of God, fostering a personal and intimate encounter that shapes the believer’s life.
The Psalmist, Divine Desire, and the Metaphysical Bond
Biblical Psalms, regarded by Reformers and Puritans as a “little Bible,” serve as a vital resource for training the soul to voice personal encounters with the divine rather than engage in abstract speculation. The unity of God's sincere wishes, expressed through authoritative statements, underscores that humanity was created for an inherently intimate, metaphysical relationship with the divine—a relational ontology in which the Triune God eternally delights in fellowship (cf. John 17:21–23). The psalmist's role exemplifies this divine desire; they fulfill what the Lord desires, which is the happiness and safety of His children. Though a psalmist may at times produce something unexpected, it remains clear that God is the ultimate social being, whose purposes encompass all variations and expressions. The divine unity of His sincere wishes emanates from authoritative decrees, not mechanical inevitability; the psalmist’s service reflects a dynamic, living connection between heaven and earth—an ongoing divine-human relationship rooted in personal experience.
Purpose, Personal Encounter, and the Overwhelming Opening of Heaven
Every divine purpose begins with a unique, individual experience of connection—whether with God directly or through His mediated presence—highlighting that genuine love and purpose emerge from a personal, intimate relationship rather than from mere external rituals or objective observations. When the heavens open and divine encounter occurs, it overwhelms every human faculty (cf. Isaiah 6:1–8; Acts 9:3–9), reminding believers that true purpose originates from a first-hand, personal experience of divine contact. Such encounters are foundational to understanding that we must love God with fervent affection, not simply sense a vague linkage or perform routine acts; God sovereignly ordains all things, and no human effort can compel divine initiative. Experiences, especially those rooted in personal encounter, carry profound theological significance because they affirm the reality of God's unchanging existence—an eternal, immaterial reality that defies material limitations. We depend upon these extreme experiences of divine reactions because our own responses are often minor, fragile, or insufficient. Many find themselves isolated even amid crowds, yet our true measure is not external success but the quality of direct, first-hand engagement with God—the “eternal now”—which echoes His divine decree.
Modifying Struggles and Treasuring the Eternal Present
In the face of struggles and hardships, believers are called to modify their experiences in a manner that shifts perspective, fostering spiritual growth and renewal. Even on the worst days, glimpses of the Eternal Kingdom can be discerned; such moments are rooted in the divine decrees that transcend our immediate circumstances. We are encouraged to view our experiences through an objective lens—treasuring divine decrees—while holding onto subjective encounters in memory, shaping our ongoing spiritual journey. The present moment, when understood within God's divine ordination, becomes an eternal reality that we will carry with us forever. How we perceive reality influences the way we remember and interpret our life experiences. Transforming our reactions—particularly when efforts falter—becomes essential; even amid adversity, indirect encounters with the everlasting Kingdom may occur, revealing divine truth in unexpected ways. Objective reflection upon subjective divine encounters remains crucial in understanding the deeper meaning of our experiences.
Subjective Linkage, Eternal Decrees, and the Primacy of “Being”
Often, we fail to grasp the true significance of our encounters when we adopt a purely detached, scientific perspective; instead, God authenticates subjective experience through fundamental axioms of faith before it reaches its appointed conclusion, linking it directly to His divine presence. Not every event we undergo is purely scientific or detached; many are rooted in a subjective connection to God, which must be anchored in faith's axioms. Whether approaching a situation willingly or reluctantly, the ultimate significance lies not in immediate pleasure or pain but in the divine connection they forge. As the church and society at large, believers are called to prioritize those who live subjectively—those who focus on the good, the beautiful, and the present moment—over external appearances or superficial actions. God has deliberately structured reality so that we cannot fully connect our external “doing” to our true identity, preventing us from mistaking performance for being. Instead, He has inseparably linked us to His eternal decrees, enabling us to focus on the experiential dimension of all we accomplish.
Trusting “Being” over “Doing”: Puritan Piety and the Storehouse of Experience
Trust in “being” rather than frantic “doing” aligns with the Puritan vision, which emphasizes the importance of enjoying and resting in God's purpose rather than striving incessantly in external activity. The Puritans, with their deep commitment to integrated piety and experiential religion, maintained that true godliness encompasses the entire life—affections, will, and intellect—all oriented toward communion with God rather than self-derived activity. They regarded the Psalms as a treasury of personal experience, urging believers to silence distracting noise and vocally express their encounters with the divine. The mind becomes a storehouse, from which believers retrieve the treasures of lived experience and patiently discern God's hand in their lives. This approach teaches that “being” in Christ—rooted in union with the infinite, invisible God—far surpasses external achievements or superficial religious acts.
Conclusion: Experiential Orthodoxy and the Gateway to the Eternal Kingdom
Ultimately, the infinite God, though invisible, is intimately knowable through His self-revelation in Christ and Scripture; He calls His people to a life of subjective encounter grounded in the objective truths of His Word. By issuing divine decrees informed by personal experience, modifying struggles into opportunities for growth, and prioritizing genuine relationship over mechanical duty, believers participate in the eternal subjectivity of divine love. This path, richly attested in the Psalms and elaborated upon by Reformed and Puritan divines, does not lead to self-centered mysticism but to a robust, experiential orthodoxy—where the finite soul is graciously lifted into the boundless reality of the Triune God, transforming every moment, even amid crowds or adversity, into a potential gateway to the eternal Kingdom.
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