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 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

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God By the end of the lecture the student will: 1. Define and understand Incarnation 2. Begin to understand the concept of God as Trinity and Mystery 3. Understand the two main ways in which God is depicted in the Bible 4. Understand the challenges of when idolatry occurs

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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.”

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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)

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God Relationship to others One of the most important ways, therefore, that we meet God… … is in our relationships with other people.

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God God as Masculine These descriptions include (pick two to add to your notes): King Lord Master Warrior Husband Judge and Jesus’ favourite name: Father

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God God as Feminine – Hebrew Testament These descriptions usually God as a woman giving birth: Deut – “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 ;Psalm 131

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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 – like a woman in labour “her hour has come” See also: Gal. 4.1; Acts 17; Romans 8.22

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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 breeze  A giant bird

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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:

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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.

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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.

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God Images of the Trinity

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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.

Unit 3 - Lesson Two: Images of God 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?