Knowing God
The General Message of the Lecture
This lecture emphasizes that true knowledge of God is not merely intellectual knowledge or theological information, but a living, experiential knowledge that is lived in the heart and daily life, leading to love and communion with God.
First: The Difference Between Intellectual Knowledge and True Knowledge
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that many people think they know God because they know His attributes or have studied theology, but intellectual knowledge alone is not sufficient. Knowledge that is not translated into relationship and love is incomplete and false.
Second: Experiential Knowledge and Living Fellowship with God
True knowledge arises from daily fellowship with God, where God reveals Himself to the human being through personal experience. This knowledge leads to love for God, and the more love increases, the more knowledge increases, and vice versa.
Third: The Goal of Knowing God
The goal of divine knowledge is that the love of God may dwell in the human being, as the Lord Jesus Christ said: “That the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” Every knowledge that does not lead to love is not true knowledge.
Fourth: The Danger of Being Busy Away from God
The Pope warns against being busy with service or religious appearances while being busy away from God Himself, because this prevents a person from knowing Him. God may be present in the midst, but hearts are not attentive to Him.
Fifth: Knowledge and Conduct
Biblical teaching affirms that whoever truly knows God keeps His commandments and lives in love. But whoever sins and lives away from the commandment does not truly know God, no matter how much faith or knowledge he claims.
Sixth: Knowledge That Begins Now and Extends to Eternity
Knowing God is the beginning of the spiritual path and its end, and it is eternal life itself. This knowledge must begin here on earth in order to grow and be completed in eternity, because God is unlimited and knowing Him has no end.
For better translation support, please contact the center.
