“The world is the theater of God’s glory—says Calvin, following Augustine. Man is the witness of the great acts of God, and “has to express what he has seen.” It is a great conception, but it is inadequate. I like better St. Irenaeus, who brings it even closer:

Man himself is the glory of God, but this glory in himself is not a spectacle which man contemplates. It is something that he lives. Gloria Dei vivens homo. I think it is most important today to get away from the idea of God, God’s glory, God’s attributes merely as “objects” which man contemplates, and then praises.

Even though man may see nothing whatever of God, his life may still be filled with God’s glory. To say that he will “know” this in another world is all right, as long as we remember that we do not know precisely what we are talking about” (*)

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(*) For example, Heaven and Hell are conveyed to us in Scripture in images, not as literal depictions. Heaven, Hell, Spiritual Life and Spiritual Death are described variously as darkness / fire,  cold and hot, light and outer darkness, and so on. These images point to the ineffable reality as revealed by God but are not homogeneous concepts. Thus mystery remains.

“ For now we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part shall be done away.”— 1 Cor. 13:9-10 —SH