The many faces of God
I keep thinking about Jeff's post about the multiple metaphors for God, and how each one breaks down if we focus on it alone (although I am conflicted admitting that, since it's a theological philosophical post and Jeff knows I don't read those :o). Interestingly enough the image I had while reading that was one of seeing God through a multifaceted lens, like a fly's eye:
[My poor attempt at image processing.]I actually wanted to make a picture where every facet had a metaphor for God in it - "Father", "LORD", "Creator", "Almighty", "Papa" and so on, but I'm just not that good at artsy stuff. Nor that patient. Patrick and Trisha could do it, not me. So this one will have to do. I have no problem with this metaphor (yes, yes, Jeff - knowing all metaphors break down at some point :o). We see God, Jesus and the Spirit in pieces. We will not see all of them wholly and together until the New Jerusalem.
Jesus kept using parables to try and show us different aspects of the Kingdom of God. Each one was almost inscrutable, but all together they begin to show us The Way. In fact, I think of the entire Bible as simply an attempt to show us God in differing ways, each meant to be absorbed partially, knowing that our brains incapable of comprehending the whole. Vengeful God. Loving God. Abba, Father. Papa. Jesus the carpenter. Jesus the Christ. Jesus the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus the King of Kings returning in all His glory. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Ghost, Spirit, Companion, Breath.
Metaphors.
Facets.
Not God. But parts of God.
If we relax our eyes and minds a bit, perhaps we catch a glimpse, out of that corner lower left corner facet, in passing.
Yes?
Please, God - yes.
7 comments:
Your analogy/metaphor reminded me of this verse:
"Now we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face." (1 Cor. 13:12)
Great follow-up post, bro...and thanks for the link love.
Jim,
Ah...I love what you have here. Indeed, all the different facets of Father are unlimited. He is most certainly a multi-dimensional, multi-layered being containing many beautiful characteristics that we, as humans, contain only parts and pieces of.
Great follow-up to both your first post and Jeff's.
Blessings,
~Amy :)
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com
Jeff,
Yes, that verse is in your post and I like it, too.
"[B]ut then face to face." I sure hope I'm ready! I sure hope I'm there!
Amy,
Thanks. I was afraid I had offended you on my first post, so I am glad to see you're still reading! :o)
Bruxy Cavey, author of "The End of Religion" (NavPress)when asked which piece of 'evidence' leaves him totally convinced of his faith, responds that none of the points of evidence is the deal breaker; it's ALL the evidence added together.
So paraphrasing, we could say that none of the metaphors work, it's ALL the metaphors added together.
Paul,
If this long-time wanderer could sum it up, that'd be close. Let's just say former skeptics like Chesterton and Lewis have a lot to say to me.
Jeff,
I enjoyed your additional thoughts on this, thank you.
My question would be this, what does it really matter what facet/s of God we do see and grasp or don’t grasp if through it all there is no ability to connect with Him?
Is this God, Father, Jesus, Spirit, and all of the other really cool names at best simply offering a theology that is meant to be that which establishes us in the certainty and security of His unconditional love? Or is He able to make Himself real and known at a personal level deep within the core of our being?
In the process of ‘becoming’ like unto a little child, is that God saying please get your lobotomy done here first, other wise the magic it won’t work.
With all of our smarts, I wonder if we’re actually missing Mr Forest-God for all the trees!
Questions, the journey into freedom :)
Rich,
There was a very brief period in my teens where I lived with a Pentecostal family (long story). The father was a professor of economics at the University of Colorado, which made the following even more ironic. I remember him telling me at one point that God gave us our minds so that we could throw them away as an act of faith and just believe. That never sat well with me. I am not a big fan of Organized Religion™ or Formal Theology®, but I do think we have our reason to help us find God.
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