So I May Understand

I Believe So That I May Understand 

I confess, Lord, with thanksgiving,
that You have made me in Your image,
so that I can remember You,
think of You,
and love You.

But that image is so worn and blotted out by faults,
and darkened by the smoke of sin,
that it cannot do that for which it was made,
unless You renew and refashion it.

Lord, I am not trying to make my way to Your height,
for my understanding is in no way equal to that,
but I do desire to understand a little of Your truth
which my heart already believes and loves.

I do not seek to understand so that I can believe,
but I believe so that I may understand;
and what is more,
I believe that unless I do believe,
I shall not understand.

- Anselm of Canterbury

HT: Trevin Wax

Only Wonder Comprehends

"There is a quotation attributed to Saint Gregory of Nyssa: 'Concepts create idols; only wonder comprehends anything.'  A simpler translation reads 'ideas create idols; only wonder leads to knowing....

...We are so comfortable with our idols and so convinced that they are built on entirely correct ideas that we have stopped wondering at anything and, therefore, are comprehending almost nothing."

    - Elizabeth Scalia in  Strange Gods: Unmasking the Idols in Everyday Life., pages 8,10

Hearts and Heads

"Is it not a pity that our hearts are not as orthodox as our heads?

But I see we have but half learned our lesson, when we know it, and can say it. When the understanding hath learned it, there is more ado to teach our wills and affections, our eyes, our tongues, and hands."

                         --Richard Baxter, The Reformed Pastor (Banner of Truth,1979), 134

Hat Tip: Strawberry-Rhubarb Theology