Tracing Awe and Wonder Through the Biblical Tradition Reverent Awe: Tracing Awe and Wonder Through the Biblical Tradition

What was it in the Bible? Why is it important? How do we encourage it? Awe and Wonder: What was it in the Bible? Why is it important? How do we encourage it?

Tracing Awe in the Biblical text What was it in the Bible? Tracing Awe in the Biblical text

What Image come to mind when you think of awe and wonder? It might be something that evokes awe and wonder

What Image come to mind when you think of awe and wonder? It might be something that evokes awe and wonder It might be the emotion itself

The question we face is… …what facial expression accurately expresses what we are talking about?

The challenge of Awe The reason why we need to add wonder to awe is because awe is a tricky word – and wonder is softer

Wonder Interestingly is not really a biblical word The closest we get to it is amazement – and that is more in the New Testament

They were amazed, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?" (Matthew 8:27)

The challenge of Awe The reason why we need to add wonder to awe is because awe is a tricky word – and wonder is softer The Hebrew and Greek words that stand behind awe can just as easily be translated ‘fear’ And in modern translations often are

Put them in fear, O LORD; let the nations know that they are only human.  (Psalm 9:20)

You shall not cheat one another, but you shall fear your God; for I am the LORD your God. (Leviticus 25:17)

Awe and Fear The word ‘awe’ does communicate a mix of emotions from amazement all the way through to absolute terror The reason for this in biblical texts is that God’s presence was dangerous At the same time people were often instructed not to be afraid

Reflecting on the Importance of Awe Why is it important? Reflecting on the Importance of Awe

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10)

Awe and Wisdom It places us in proper relationship with God, with the world and with others The summary of the Law and it’s bi-directional focus Psychologists in a wide range of studies have found that people who feel awe are more likely to show kindness to others (prosocial skills)

Wisdom, Awe and Creation The strong link between awe of God and awe of creation

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; 4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (Psalm 8:1)

Wisdom, Awe and Creation The strong link between awe of God and awe of creation There is an urgent need to link fear of God with care for creation

Living lives shaped by awe How do we encourage it? Living lives shaped by awe

Living in awe: Modelling it – taking the time to feel awe ourselves

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand  And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,  Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand  And Eternity in an hour.”  William Blake Auguries of Innocence

Living in awe: Modelling it – it is something that takes practice and reflection Leaving space for it – feelings of awe don’t come swiftly Recognising that young people may be better at it than we are

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” W.B. Yeats

Living in awe: Modelling it – it is something that takes practice and reflection Leaving space for it – feelings of awe don’t come swiftly Recognising that young people may be better at it than we are

“Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty “Youth is happy because it has the capacity to see beauty. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old.” Franz Kafka

Awe of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom