Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 2
Josh cites Psalm 111 (“Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them”) and applies it beyond Israel’s history to “the stuff of human culture”; what might it look like to “delight” in God’s works in a way that includes serious study of human artifacts without sliding into admiration of humanity itself?
Another way to ask: What would it look like to enjoy and study God’s works by also seriously studying human art and culture? How can we do that without turning it into worship of humans?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests “delight” includes careful, glad attention—study that treats cultural artifacts as part of what humans (close to God as image-bearers) produce, while keeping the posture of worship, humility, and mystery rather than celebrating human greatness as ultimate.
- He calls Psalm 111 a “central…guiding verse”: “Great are the works of the Lord studied by all who delight in them.”
- He notes the Psalm’s context is “the historical works of God…for the children of Israel,” but he extends the logic to “the stuff of human culture.”
- He connects this to humans as “the crown of creation” with “close proximity to God,” making human culture “worth paying attention to.”
- He warns against a purely “cerebral, detached perspective” and offers “worship and mystery and humility” as the alternative.
- He argues knowledge has an “affective…aesthetic element,” not merely detached analysis.