Why Does God Hide from Us?

Summary

The transcript explores the concept of divine manifestation and mediation, drawing on Exodus 33 to discuss God's partial self-revelation to Moses. It uses the metaphor of sports and games to illustrate the necessity of veiling and mediation in reality, suggesting that limits and rules enable deeper engagement and understanding. The infinite and finite cannot coexist without such mediation, as seen in the paradox of Christ's incarnation and the crucifixion, which represents the ultimate divine self-limitation for a deeper connection.

Takeaways

• 😇 The script discusses the theological concept of God revealing Himself to Moses in a veiled and partial manner, as described in Exodus 33.
• 🌟 The idea of mediation is central to understanding God's manifestation in the world, with various elements like the law and the Tabernacle serving as veils.
• 🤔 The script questions why God chooses to show Himself partially, suggesting it's a necessary aspect of reality's unfolding and the relationship between the infinite and the finite.
• 🏀 It uses the metaphor of sports, specifically basketball, to explain how the essence of a game is mediated through specific actions that give it purpose and coherence.
• 🎮 The concept of playing a game is used to illustrate how accepting limitations opens up new realms of possibilities, paralleling the veiling of God's presence.
• 🔍 The script touches on the complexity of the infinite and finite coexisting, suggesting that the infinite must be veiled to interact with the finite without destruction.
• 🤝 It discusses 'kosis', a Catholic theological concept, to explain how the divine and human natures of Christ coexist without one overwhelming the other.
• 💡 The idea of a 'low-resolution' or 'fractal' representation of God is introduced, suggesting that while the entirety of God is not present, the pattern or essence is.
• 📖 The script references the story of Genesis, where God provides coverings made of dead animal skins, symbolizing a form of death or limitation necessary for manifestation.
• 🛡 The paradox of accepting limitations in a game to open up new possibilities is highlighted, drawing a parallel to the acceptance of death or limitation in spiritual contexts.
• ✝️ The crucifixion of Christ is presented as the ultimate mystery where God fully manifests in the finite world, symbolizing the transformation and acceptance of limitations.

Q & A

What does the Lord say to Moses regarding seeing His face in Exodus 33?

The Lord tells Moses that no man can see His face and live. Instead, He will allow Moses to stand on a rock and cover him with His hand while His glory passes by, revealing only His back parts, not His face.

Why does the speaker believe that God's manifestation in the world has to be mediated?

The speaker suggests that God's manifestation in the world must be mediated because it allows for a connection between the infinite and the finite, which are not the same and cannot coexist without some form of veil or mediation.

How does the speaker use the concept of a basketball team to explain the idea of mediation?

The speaker uses the basketball team analogy to illustrate how the game of basketball, as the ultimate purpose or Telos, is mediated into specific actions like dribbling and shooting, which are veiled versions of the game itself, necessary for its realization.

What does the speaker mean by 'mediated realities' in the context of playing a game?

Mediator realities refer to the rules, roles, and limitations within a game that allow a player to engage in the game's universe. These limitations paradoxically open up new possibilities and experiences within the game.

How does the speaker relate the idea of veiling to the concept of death?

The speaker relates veiling to death by suggesting that each level of veiling represents a form of dying, a giving up of certain possibilities to open up new ones. This is exemplified by the covering of dead animal skins given to Adam and Eve in Genesis.

What is the paradoxical nature of accepting limitations in a game according to the speaker?

The paradox is that by accepting specific limitations in a game, such as the rules of chess, a player opens up an almost infinite number of potential games, which would not exist without the imposition of these limitations.

What does the speaker suggest is the ultimate mystery of the crucifixion in Christian belief?

The speaker suggests that the crucifixion represents the ultimate mystery where God manifests itself fully at the edge of existence, transforming into an avatar that accepts the limitations and 'death' of a certain realm of possibility to open up a new one.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between the infinite and the finite?

The speaker describes the relationship as complex and not immediately obvious. The infinite could destroy the finite, but the finite also cannot exist in detachment from the infinite. This relationship necessitates veiling or partial representation.

What is the concept of 'kosis' mentioned by the speaker, and how does it relate to the idea of God and man being united in Christ?

Kosis is a Catholic concept that refers to an emptying of God, allowing for the union of God and man in Christ without the form of Christ being torn asunder. The speaker likens it to a low-resolution or fractal representation of God, preserving the pattern without the entirety.

What does the speaker imply about the necessity of veiling in the relationship between God and man?

The speaker implies that veiling is necessary to facilitate certain operations and to manage the inevitable complexity of the relationship between the infinite (God) and the finite (man), allowing for a connection that would otherwise be unattainable.