I read this quote in A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith the other day:

God is not simply a great sight, the object of speculative curiosity. The revelation of His glory and the whole theological process which legitimately follows from it is holy ground. We cannot stand as superiors over God or His Word. We may not coldly and detachedly analyse and collate the great self-revealing deeds and utterances of Jehovah. We may not theologise without emotion and commitment. The doctrine must thrill and exhilarate. It must humble and cast down…Theology has lost its way, and, indeed its very soul, if it cannot say with John, “I fell at his feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17) (Donald Macleod, Behold Your God, 39, as quoted by Robert Reymond in A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith, 130; emphasis mine).

I enjoy studying scripture. Give me my Bible, a good concordance, and some dictionaries and I’m a happy camper for hours. Sometimes I am just curious about something. However, that curiosity, more often than not, is transformed into a thrilling mental, emotional, and spiritual exercise. One recent thrill was studying what the Scriptures have to say about election. I was quite apprehensive about it, because it is a very divisive issue among Christians, but I was determined to understand it from the Scriptures rather than from what I had heard. So I bought a systematic theology and Piper’s The Justification of God.

I dove in head first by reading Romans, paying particular attention to chapters 9-11. Then over the course of several months, I read the pertinent portions of the systematic theology I bought, listened to sermons online, and ever-so-slowly made my way through Piper’s book.

I have participated in Bible studies before, but this was the most fun I have ever had with God in His Word! I learned so much, as usual when reading Piper. But more than that, several times in the course of studying, I found myself in absolute awe of God. As His Spirit helped me to understand and grasp this important doctrine, I found myself crying at times, humbled in light of God’s supremacy in election, cast down at his feet for mercy, then exulting in how great and gracious He is to save sinners, including me. Sorrowful over my terrible sin and joyful over His never-ending grace—sorrowful joy!

I agree with the above quote wholeheartedly! I cannot approach God’s Word with a ho-hum attitude, like I already know everything. My mind will never exhaust the wonders to be found in His Word!