Turning The Mind Godward
Table of Contents
Introduction
Why Knowing God Matters
Knowing God is not an optional pursuit but the essence of life itself (Jer. 9:23–24; John 17:3).
The Christian life begins and ends with God. He is the Alpha and the Omega, the fountain from which all streams flow and the ocean into which they return. Yet many pilgrims set out on the road of faith with their eyes fixed more on the scenery than on the One who walks beside them. We gather knowledge, we busy ourselves with duties, we measure our steps—but too easily forget that the very heart of the journey is to know Him.
This book is a lantern for the road. Its aim is not to add weight to the pilgrim’s pack, but to give light for the way. We will move slowly, not racing, pausing often to lift our minds Godward. The framework is simple: Read & Receive → Reflect & Express → Respond & Remember. These are not new inventions, but the ancient practices of Christians who sought to turn their whole being toward the Lord.
Why such a framework? Because knowledge of God can so easily be mishandled. It may become a matter of cold speculation… like studying the sun while living deep underground – never feeling its warmth. It may be treated as duty only, or as a tool for boasting, or as a curiosity for clever minds. But Scripture insists: to know God is life itself (John 17:3). This is no optional pursuit, no side hobby of religion. It is the very essence of what it means to be human.
The voices of the past will help us here. J.I. Packer reminds us that all theology is for worship. John Owen calls us to distinguish between mere natural knowledge and saving knowledge that only the Spirit gives. Jonathan Edwards presses us to remember that true knowing is not a matter of syllogism but of tasting—“a sense of the heart.” These witnesses will stand with us, not as heavy authorities crushing our path, but as fellow travelers pointing to the same Light.
And so we begin. Each chapter will open with Scripture, the pilgrim’s true compass. Then we will reflect, drawing together reason, imagination, and devotion. Finally, we will respond—because knowledge that does not shape life is no true knowledge at all.
Pilgrim, take courage. You are called not merely to survive this road, but to know the God who walks it with you. He has revealed Himself in His Word, and above all in His Son. This is the treasure worth every loss, the light that will not fail, the life that never ends.
Section I: The Way of Knowing God
Summary: This section lays the foundation. It addresses the call, the manner, the rule, and the framework of knowing God. Pilgrims learn why this knowledge matters, how it comes, and how to practice it with Scripture as their lantern.
- The Call to Know God — Our highest calling is not to gain wisdom, power, or wealth, but to know God Himself through Christ—the true life, the pilgrim’s compass, and the light by which all else is seen.
- The Manner of Knowing — How true knowledge comes: revelation, Word, Spirit.
- The Rule of Knowledge: Scripture — Scripture as sufficient, clear, necessary, authoritative.
- The Pilgrim Framework — The method of Project Knowing: Read, Reflect, Respond.
Section II: Beholding God
Summary: Having prepared the pilgrim’s posture, this section lifts the eyes to behold God Himself. It explores His unity, His attributes (absolute and relational), His triune revelation, and key aspects of His character (majesty, wisdom, love, grace, judgment, wrath, jealousy). The pilgrim is led from awe to humility, from fear to worship.
Section III: The God Who Is For Us
Summary: This section turns from beholding who God is in Himself to embracing what He is for His people. The focus is on the gospel, adoption, guidance, trials, and sufficiency. Pilgrims are reassured that the God they behold is the God who walks with them and provides for every step.
Epilogue: The Pilgrim’s Lantern
Summary: A closing meditation that gathers the journey together. The pilgrim has walked through calling, attributes, gospel, and trial — and found God sufficient. The lantern symbolizes God’s Word, Spirit, and Son lighting the way until faith becomes sight and dawn breaks in eternal glory.
✨ Overall Flow:
- Section I = Foundations for knowing God.
- Section II = Beholding His nature and attributes.
- Section III = Walking with Him in the gospel journey.
- Epilogue = The pilgrim’s final lantern of light.
Every hard journey is eased by good companions, and your steps alongside mine are a gift to me.
Should you wish, you may contribute some coin to the Pilgrim’s Purse.
