Meeting The Incarnate God Summary

Meeting The Incarnate God by Metropolitan Philip and Fr. Joseph Allen expresses the practical approach the Christian struggle for all. The authors seek to speak both simply and in depth of one's discovery of God by finding the kingdom of God within himself. This discovery isn't a formula or just mere contemplation. The foundation of this great mystery ultimately lies in one's honest discovery of oneself through the grace and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our Trinitarian God in His ultimate mercy allows this revelation, but this can only be done in cooperation of our free will. Without this synergy, this revelation isn't expressed because it would be contrary to our own desires. The author focuses on several key components of this journey such as penetrating our inward being, surrendering ourselves, and emptying of ourselves. This process ultimately leads us to the true Christian freedom that Christ promised. Furthermore, this process inevitably leads us
This waiting isn't passive at all since it requires us to withstand any doubt and have true faith and hope that we will be delivered from the desert of silence. We know that we will be victorious if we are faithful and patient. This waiting requires presupposes that we understand true spiritual growth. True transformation is tough, long, and requires real endurance. If we think that transformation happens instantaneously then we are truly delusional. The author states this point clearly, "Furthermore, to wait is to look for transformation because growth is not something in which we merely add on the new to the present. To grow is to transform the old, not by wiping it out but by renewing it with new force and vitality" (38). The key here is this "force and vitality". It is imperative that the transformational process is truly one of violence and by this force, we are able to experience a renewed and real energy in our process of