Babelsberg Tower, creative commons photograph by gari.baldi, on Flickr.
My wife and I have just started reading J.I. Packer's Knowing God. I can tell from the very first paragraph that we are going to enjoy swimming in the mind of Packer, and gleaning from his view of God.
In the preface of his treatise, Packer contrasts the theological "balconeer" with the theological traveler.
The balconeer might sit in this tower, read theological musings, observe God and his workings, but have no active participation. The balconeer knows of God, but likely doesn't know God.
The traveler, on the other hand, is down on the road. The traveler is familiar with the same theological insights. However, he/she is actually interacting with the learned theology in their daily lives.
As you can imagine, the balconeer is likely to become "high and mighty", and legalistic, where the traveler, through the bumps of life, is likely to have the more genuine relationship with God, as he/she is actually on the road traveling with their faith.
This book has long been on my reading list, and I am most pleased to see it bubbled to the top.
Have you read Packer's Knowing God? How has it helped you in your travels?
