"Mysterium Tremendum" or "Mysterium Fascinosum"
Luke 1:1-4
"Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."
Both the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles are addressed to an individual named Theophilus. One translation for his name is, “friend of God”. That's a good name as names go. Apparently, Luke was certain that Theophilus would appreciate this gospel work. Of course we don't know this for certain. It's possible that this gospel work and the New Testament book of Acts are proof texts being offered to a combatant scholarly person who works hard against the emerging Christian faith. At any rate, Luke wants Theophilus to be certain about the accounts he has heard regarding Jesus of Nazareth.
Who is Luke?
Luke is the physician who is referred to as "the beloved physician" by the apostle Paul. Luke is a companion of Paul's. And this gospel of Luke's is the first of a two part story, The Acts of the Apostles being the second. Some scholars date their writing to a.d. 62 or earlier because they do not reference the death of Paul or James the brother of Jesus.
One thing of speculation that might be interesting is that in his age a physician is typically a slave of a very prominent person. Some speculate that Theophilus might have been a ruler or person of some importance in the Roman universe, possibly Luke's slave Master.
Luke claims to have heard directly from those witnesses of Christ's life and death and resurrection. Luke chronicles a great deal of detail not shared in the other gospels. This work is a detailed and ordered accounting of the stories told by the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. It's obvious he endeavored to give a faithful interpretation of the most meaningful aspects of Jesus' life and teaching.
Christ Jesus, the Son of Man, is the central figure of Luke’s theological work. Likely he was responding to the influencers of the Gnostic communities who had begun to try to dehumanize Jesus of Nazareth. Luke's work affirms the trinitarian nature of the Godhead. Luke sees The Father as transcendent, He is “the Most High,” whom nobody knows except through revelation by the Son, and through the activities of the Holy Spirit which affirms the gospel of truth. You can see this in two accounts about two births, and other instances as well.
In regard to the birth of John the Baptist:
Luke 1:67
"And his [John the Baptist] father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying..."
And in regard to the birth of Jesus:
Luke 1:35
And the angel answered her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God."
Throughout all these advent activities it is clear that The Holy Spirit is hard at work having been sent by God Almighty. Jesus is conceived by the Spirit. Zechariah is inspired by The Spirit. John the Baptist is filled by The Spirit. Mother Mary has found favor in The Holy Spirit. Mother Elizabeth as well is blessed by The Spirit. And we also have an account of another touched by God.
An independent witness, Simeon, must have been interviewed by Luke.
Luke 2:25-27
"Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law"
This whole accounting achieved by Luke is very much Holy and extraordinary. This is obviously the work of The Holy Spirit, and indicative of how the gospel was created and sent throughout the whole known world in that apostolic age.
This activity of the Holy Spirit and its impact upon humanity is what's known as both "Mysterium Tremendum" and "Mysterium Fascinosum".
Mysterium Tremendum is mystery that repels. And Mysterium Fascinosum is mystery that attracts. The gospel either draws you into the Holy or it repels you. But it definitely does one or the other. The Holiness of God that is revealed in these scriptures either inspires you or it terrifies you. It either moves you to faith or hardens your heart into rebellion. The gospel, this idea of The Holy, is either terrifying or it's beautiful.
If there is a predestined election, I believe it is wrapped up in these aspects of the Mysterium natures of The Holy. I say this because God’s providence originates in God’s will. His providence is ordered by Him alone. All created things are following His orders of grace. Those created things either obey that order or they rebel against it. They either follow their nature or they disobey it and pervert that nature. But those created things cannot exceed or rise above this created order in and of themselves. They can only sink below their nature. In that case, we understand that God must draw and send. In order to exceed its created nature, the creature has to be lifted up to such a destiny by God. It is called to be Holy. Called to be different, set apart. To reflect and mirror the character of God. These things happen because God did the lifting.
Some reflect; some object. Mysterium Fascinosum, or Tremendum. In Luke's gospel we see both states of human consciousness. Sheep and goats. Slaves to Christ and wicked servants.
I admit it's difficult to imagine that God has created both intentionally. That both the Fascinosum, and the Tremendum are created to those predestined situations. But I also have to recognize that the story of humanity affirms just exactly that. There are indeed both wicked and holy people. There are indeed those who are drawn to Christ and those who are repelled by him. It's perfectly obvious. And I guess it makes sense that someone who is among the drawn is the kind of person who would be troubled by this reality. It's the holiness that troubles the holy ones when they wonder about the unholy ones. But you'll never see the unholy concerned about the holy ones in a similar manner. And that's because they're not marked for holiness. There is a very different spirit that preexists in each. There is a mark of destiny preestablished in them for either holiness or wickedness.
Predestination is part of the providence that originates in the mind of God. But somehow in that predestined way, providence is intended but rebellion is not parallel to it. It is instead a falling short. If there is an intent in regard to rebellion, it is instead God's predestined purpose to allow that rebellion to have its way. He permits the reprobate to fall into sin. He didn't make them sin, he allowed them their own way. Though God loves all his creatures, God does not compel all creation to reach for holiness. His love guarantees that he is not causing the sinner to sin, even though he abandoned him in his sin. The sinner is unable to resist his sin, he is responsible for his inability to avoid that sin and is therefore justly punished for it. He is a child of the Tremendum. God's calling frightens him. It is repulsive to him. And his sin fascinates him. His sin is his nature beyond his ability to be drawn away from it by God's holiness. Instead, God's holiness repels him.
God’s love for someone creates the good in them, or it creates fear and resentment. So that God’s love for that person singles them out as either drawn into holiness or repelled by it. God's goodness precedes election. God has foreknowledge of those who will be meritorious in response to His gift of grace. And he likewise knows who will rebel. So it is not arbitrary. Somehow it is necessary for some to be drawn to him and others to be repelled by him.
Here in Luke's gospel, we have both those drawn to God's grace and those repelled by it. As we study this gospel, keep watch for these different characters and maybe we'll come away understanding God's mind in this predestined world.
As for us, it's important to keep in mind that God's providence, grace, is a gift that is owed to no-one. It cannot be considered unjust that God chooses to give a gift to some but not to others.
Be thankful that you have heard the gospel and have been drawn to it.
Keep on coming to the gospel.