unit 3 - lesson two: images of god images of god lesson 2 may 2013 what does god look like?

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God

Images of God

Lesson 2May 2013

What does God look like?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws_tVBf3OWg


Previous Knowledge:

Yesterday we discussed Sociology and the importance of it as a “science” as well as how it ties to Religion. To understand our interactions with others, we first must understand what human beings are at their core. The following is presentation on what our religion defines as: Images of God


By the end of the lecture the student will:

1. Define and understand Incarnation2. Begin to understand the concept

of God as Trinity and Mystery3. Understand the two main ways in

which God is depicted in the Bible4. Understand the challenges of

when idolatry occurs


Incarnation

One of the most important beliefs in the Christian faith is the INCARNATION.

This is the belief that Jesus Christ became fully human (except for sin).

In the Nicene Creed we say that “God became human for us men (and women) and for our salvation.”


Relationship with God Jesus came to wipe away our sins

and to restore our relationship with God that was broken by Adam and Eve.

God also changed humanity by becoming one of us. Human.

“God assumed our nature so that he, made man, might make men gods!” (St. Thomas Aquinas)


Relationship to others

One of the most important ways, therefore, that we meet God…

… is in our relationships with other people.


Biblical Images of God The bible uses two main ways to

present the mystery we call God. These may be described as the

personal and impersonal

The personal may be further divided into the Masculine Feminine


God as Masculine These descriptions include (pick two to

add to your notes): King Lord Master Warrior Husband Judge and Jesus’ favourite name: Father


God as Feminine – Hebrew Testament

These descriptions usually God as a woman giving birth: Deut. 32.18 – “You forgot the Rock

who begot you, unmindful now of the God who gave you birth.”

Isaiah depicts God experiencing labour pains trying to bring forth a people who embody justice. (Is 42.14)

See also: Hosea 11.1-4;Psalm 131


God as Feminine – New Testament

These images are similar including: John 1.12 and 1 John 4:7 – everyone

who loves is “born of God” – this is where we get the concept of being “born again”

John 16.21 – like a woman in labour “her hour has come”

See also: Gal. 4.1; Acts 17; Romans 8.22


God as Wisdom A final feminine image of God is

when God is described as Wisdom Both in ancient Hebrew and

ancient Greek the word Wisdom is feminine

Wisdom is often personified as a woman in both the books of Wisdom and Proverbs as well as other places in the Bible


Impersonal Images Words used

to describe God include (pick two of these and add to your notes) Rock Shield Fortress Water

Mountain Light Thunder Fire Bread A gentle breezeA giant bird


Some Implications No one image can fully represent

what and who God is for and to us The biblical writers use many images

to help establish God as mystery When we mistake the image of God,

for God we risk slipping into idolatry This is so serious that the first

commandment reminds us of this:


Exodus 20:4-6

4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me, 6 but showing steadfast love to the thousandth generation of those who love me and keep my commandments.


God as Trinity

The Christian concept of God is that of Trinity.

God as “Father” provides for us God as “Son” or Incarnate

corresponds to our need to see, touch and hear.


God as Trinity - Spirit God as “Spirit” feeds the spiritual

dimension of our existence. Grounds us in faith, hope and love Endows us with gifts Makes Father and Son present Reminds us and clarifies the things

Jesus said Unites us with all other believers into

one social body


Images of the Trinity


Summary The mystery of God (the Trinity), always

beyond our grasp, can only be presented in images which fall short of that which they try to express.

The best safeguard against idolatry is to follow the biblical example of using a rich variety of images rather than just one.

This benefits us both as individual as well as members of a culture that surrounds us.


Task:

Draw a picture or write a descriptive paragraph about what you think God looks like. (It does not have to be a person!) This may get us dangerously close to…what was that called again?

unit 3 - lesson two: images of god images of god lesson 2 may 2013 what does god look like?

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