Main Theme

The podcast delves into the profound question of whether the human mind can "know" God, exploring it through various philosophical and theological lenses. It distinguishes between "knowing about God" (intellectual knowledge), gained through reason, scripture, and tradition, and "knowing God personally" (relational knowledge), which is subjective, experiential, and transformative. The document outlines arguments supporting the possibility of knowing God, such as through revelation (general and special), personal experience (mystical or through answered prayer), and reason/philosophy. Conversely, it presents arguments for limited or impossible knowledge, citing the finitude of the human mind against an infinite God, the subjectivity of personal experience, the problem of divine hiddenness, and the limits of empiricism. Ultimately, the text concludes that while full comprehension or empirical proof of God is unlikely, a profound, relational knowledge is affirmed by many believers, emphasizing that the answer largely depends on how "human," "know," and "God" are defined.

The Video Overview

Can The Human Mind Know God?.mp4

The Podcast Dialogue

Can The Human Mind “Knowˮ God.mp3

Download Slide Deck

00. Charting Divine Knowledge.pdf

Let's break down the question into its different facets.

The Core Distinction: Knowing About vs. Knowing Personally

Most theologians and philosophers make a crucial distinction:

1. Intellectual Knowledge (Knowing About God): This is like reading a biography. You can learn facts, attributes, and historical accounts related to a person. In theology, this is knowledge gained through reason, scripture, and tradition.
2. Relational Knowledge (Knowing God Personally): This is like having a friend. It’s based on interaction, trust, experience, and a personal relationship. It is subjective, experiential, and transformative.

Most believers would argue that while intellectual knowledge is valuable, the ultimate goal is relational knowledge.