Julian of Norwich had a vision on her deathbed. During the succeeding 20 years, she wrote the experience along with interpretation in her Reflections. Among her thoughts were the three I just discussed–seeking, waiting and trusting.
Psychologist (scientists of a sort), including Christian psychologists, tend to categorize dreams and visions as random firing of neurons in the brain–meaningless, just reflecting random past events in your life. Indeed, most of your dreams are probably just that.
On the other hand, a tremendous number of examples exist documenting a seemingly breakthrough of the spiritual world (a world rejected by materialists of all types) into a person’s life. The Bible documents many. Perhaps I’ve even experienced such an event.
So, is the spirit world just something that is made up in your head? Is the only reality the material world that we can describe?
I just finished reading a book on business strategy called “Both And.” Its premise asks why just limit yourself to one thing or the other, why not do both? As I’m reading Julian and thinking about modern psychologists, I find myself thinking that same thing.
I’m a trained scientist, love the scientific method, and recognize that the tools derived from scientific research have greatly improved the quality of our lives (there are side effects, but that’s for a later essay). But science works in a closed universe. There are too many variables to consider if there are multiple universes. I read once where Dallas Willard had developed a line of thought similar to what I’ve been thinking for years, so I don’t feel like I’m straying from logic.
If God created the universe, then He must be outside our universe. Given both of those propositions, then it stands to reason that God can intervene at times (note: I’m obviously not an 18th Century Deist, sorry if you are). Therefore the numinous dreams and visions that have occurred throughout the history of humans. It’s God reaching out to people–usually to people who were seeking, waiting and trusting. They are open to God and let Him in.
I don’t think that having a God vision is necessarily delusional, but I acknowledge that some people suffer from delusions. You can test a vision by comparing with the long history of God visions.
So, I think we can trust Julian (and others in the tradition) with their experiences and reflections on their experiences. Scientists are great within their closed systems, but typically their expertise does not include experience outside their systems.
Don’t get caught up in false either/or–either science or faith–discussions. Don’t let science shake your faith, but don’t disparage science when it sticks to what it knows.
Both-And–Seek God, Wait on His presence, Trust His coming.
Tags: Christianity, Faith, spirit
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