God's physical involvement

[jimmybob479]

Genesis says that God would walk in the garden, interact, etc. However, it seems that since then his actual physical interactions have been limited, minus a few times in the OT (once when he wrestled, another when he let Abraham see his back side I believe). In the garden Adam and Eve had not sinned, and as far as I know it's because of that that they could "see" God (in an incarnate state I'm assuming), but after the fall is it that God has just physically checked-out of visiting Earth? I mean, Jesus only was here 33 years and only really a 3 year ministry. Why isn't God more involved (physically)? I guess Jesus said ppl would believe without seeing Him, but I guess its just strange he would not want to physically come down more.

[National Intelligence Director Phoenix]

Genesis says that God would walk in the garden, interact, etc. However, it seems that since then his actual physical interactions have been limited, minus a few times in the OT (once when he wrestled, another when he let Abraham see his back side I believe). In the garden Adam and Eve had not sinned, and as far as I know it's because of that that they could "see" God (in an incarnate state I'm assuming), but after the fall is it that God has just physically checked-out of visiting Earth? I mean, Jesus only was here 33 years and only really a 3 year ministry. Why isn't God more involved (physically)? I guess Jesus said ppl would believe without seeing Him, but I guess its just strange he would not want to physically come down more.

Hello Jimmybob! Thanks for your question!

So often, it seems people want a more personal involvement with God. However, the times you are describing are far and between. Take the account in the garden for instance. Where was God when Satan was tempting them? I believe God came for a specific reason then. He was not just making a social call and certainly the incarnation was not that.

In fact, we only have three years of known ministry in the time of the incarnation and Jesus did say that we should rejoice because he was going to the Father. That still leaves you wondering why God can sometimes seem so absent.

The truth is that we have individualized Christianity. I am not a believer in the idea that hearing the voice of God and having a conversation with him is normative in the Christian life. (I do not describe prayer as a conversation.) The great danger first off is that we are becoming a people who live by experience. What difference will this make? You can find out when the Mormons ask you to pray and if you have a burning in your bosom (An experience) you'll know that the Book of Mormon is true.

The other great danger though is that we are putting Scripture at a lower place and Scripture is the revelation given to us. Yes. I believe in general revelation and the moral law on our hearts and the revelation of Christ, but I believe Scripture is the best place for propositional truth about God and salvation.

If you want God's presence in your life then, practice what the Scriptures say. Study them. I speak to myself as much as to you. Learn to live by them and realize that God is there even when you do not feel like he is there. (Our feelings are a terrible describer of external reality, but we make them the main ones.)

Hope this helps!

[jimmybob479]

Wow, this topic just popped into my head again today and some other things I thought of were...1) like you said, God only has planned times and such when he interacted and
2) like you said, we can't believe just on experience/seeing him. Many people saw Jesus and didn't believe...the whole "show me a miracle and i'll believe" argument assumes people's hearts aren't heard and people arent skeptical.

Thanks for the response.

[National Intelligence Director Phoenix]

Wow, this topic just popped into my head again today and some other things I thought of were...1) like you said, God only has planned times and such when he interacted and
2) like you said, we can't believe just on experience/seeing him. Many people saw Jesus and didn't believe...the whole "show me a miracle and i'll believe" argument assumes people's hearts aren't heard and people arent skeptical.

Thanks for the response.

If they do not believe Moses and the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.