There are some words that are fun to use but the opportunities to use them are rare. “Arcane” is such a word. It is a descriptor meaning something is mysterious and understood only by a few. There are arcane organizations. These are akin to little boys building a house in a tree and only allowing a privileged few the knowledge of the secret password to enter their private world.
When I was a little boy the world of systematic theology was to me arcane. As I have grown older systematic theology is not so arcane but the nature of God remains so. I struggle with God having no beginning. I grabble with Jesus being 100 per cent human and simultaneously being 100 per cent divine. My mind fogs when I think of eternal life with endless mental development. I fear the encroachment of deeper cynicism knowing how bad it has become for me in just a few decades.
Fifteen times Paul makes reference to the mystery of God, Jesus, evil and goodness. His letter to the Ephesians contains seven. One of them follows.
“In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. (3:4-6)
This is wonderfully arcane!
Written by Roger Bothwell on August 3, 2002
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