The Majesty of Mystery: Celebrating the Glory of an Incomprehensible God

by K. Scott Oliphint

How can God be three and one?
How can God take on a human nature?
If God planned everything, how can I be responsible?
Do my prayers make any difference in God's plan?

Christians may attempt to "know" God to the best of their ability--leading some to limit God as they contain Him within tidy answers for human understanding. In The Majesty of Mystery, K. Scott Oliphint encourages believers to embrace the mysteries of Christian faith: the Trinity, the incarnation, eternal life, and the balance between God's sovereign will and human choices. Drawing from the Reformed tradition and interacting with the biblical text, Oliphint shows how a profound recognition of our own limitations can lead us into a richer awareness of God's infinite majesty.

Written with deep theological knowledge and threaded with everyday implications, The Majesty of Mystery connects the dots between humanity and God, belief and practice, mystery and worship. Oliphint invites readers to rediscover the purpose to which all theology aims--the worship of the incomprehensible God who faithfully reveals himself in Scripture.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 2, 2016

About the author

Dr. K. Scott Oliphint Is professor of Apologetics and Systematic Theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is a graduate of West Texas State University (B.A., 1978) and Westminster (M.A.R., 1983; Th.M, 1984; Ph.D., 1994). An ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Dr. Oliphint served in pastoral ministry in Texas before coming to Westminster in 1991. He is the author of numerous books and articles, including The Battle Belongs to the Lord: The Power of Scripture for Defending Our Faith; Reasons For Faith; Revelation and Reason; "Epistemology and Christian Belief," (Westminster Theological Journal, Fall 2001); "Something Much Too Plain to Say," (Westminster Theological Journal, Fall 2006).

Reviews

[Philip Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aesthetics: 5/5
Functionality: 3.25/5
Taste: 3.5/5
Experience: 4/5

[Mitch Bedzyk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic overview of the greatest and deepest mysteries of the Christian faith. While it deals with concepts and truths too deep and beyond our creaturely limits, Scott Oliphint presents them clearly and faithfully. He deals with the Trinity, the incarnation, sovereignty, prayer, God's covenantal condescension, and our eternal joy after Christ's return.

Spoiler alert: Oliphint does not provide answers to these incomprehensible mysteries. Instead, he sticks to the Scriptures, acknowledges the tension these concepts create, and keeps them properly balanced.

Most importantly, this book serves as fuel for every believer's doxological fire. At the end of nearly every chapter I found myself bursting out in prayer and praise to God.

[Annah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oliphint delivers eight chapters on the majesty of the mystery of a number of Christian doctrines. The questions themselves are incredibly appealing; the answers will be unsatisfying unless you're already familiar with them. Written accessibly, repetitive enough to stay focused, the book guides the reader through biblically-grounded explanations surrounding the tension of belief. A tough entry point to apologetics, but a worthwhile read.

[Benjamin Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction into Reformed thought on the attributes of God, the relations of the Trinity and the hypostatic union, though I do have some disagreement with where Oliphint places the limiting point where we can go no further in describing God's nature. I think we can say a bit more than Oliphint would perhaps be comfortable with, but I also think what more we can say about God, makes Him all the more mysterious.

[Charles Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Some helfpul explanations mixed with a poor grasp of Trinitarian theology makes this book too inconsistent to be read as a trustworthy guide. Better to stick with Augustine, Aquinas, Calvin, and Bavinck.

[Jeff Minello · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to have faith, with reason

Dr Oliphant has done a wonderful job explaining theological issues where there is tension, yet dovetails how these hard issues provide mysteries to humble us to worship. Brilliant!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about theological mystery. Oliphant digs into subjects like the Trinity, the incarnation, prayer, and the eternal state. I'm not sure I understood all the arguments being made in the book, but I learned a lot.

[Andrew Mulnix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the chapters were really good

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear, helpful and insightful.

[Todd Hains · Rating 4 out of 5]

First half is better than the second half.