In this conversation, Kyle explores the forgotten doctrine of the beatific vision and its role in spiritual formation. He emphasizes that the beatific vision is not just a Roman Catholic doctrine, but a biblical one that is often neglected (even though it was standard in the history of Protestant theology). The beatific vision refers to the idea that in eternity, we will see God face-to-face as we will share in his glory. Kyle discusses how this vision is linked to intimacy, knowledge, and love, and how it shapes our understanding of spiritual practices. He highlights the importance of contemplation as a practice that allows us to set our gaze on God and be transformed by his presence.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Series Overview
02:58 The Beatific Vision as a Biblical Doctrine
09:17 The Perfection of Humanity in the Beatific Vision
15:24 Drawing Near to God in the Beatific Vision
19:23 The Beatific Vision as an Act of Love in God
24:10 The Role of Contemplation in Spiritual Formation
27:58 The Neglect of the Beatific Vision in Biblical Interpretation
In the episode I mentioned a free article I’ve written on the beatific vision. You can find that here.
I also mentioned the book Embracing Contemplation, edited by John Coe and myself. You can find that here.
Finally, I mentioned my work on Jonathan Edwards’s understanding of spiritual formation that includes a discussion of the beatific vision and contemplation. You can find that here.
Forgotten Doctrines of Spiritual Formation Part 2