Yesterday I got into a conversation on images of God and how the affect our spiritual lives. Characteristically, I came down on both sides of the fence.
On the one side I think that it is a mistake to insist on a particular image of God at the beginning of a spiritual journey. There is wisdom in being able to start by committing oneself to “God as I understand him.” It allows one to get started without having to first accept or reject distorted ideas that may have been picked up in childhood. The prime example, of course, is “You better behave or God is going to punish you.” If we insist that a spiritual directee get the image right at the very beginning, we can lose before we start.
On the other side we can make progress by paying attention to the images of God as expressed by some of the greatest biblical texts. Here are some texts depicting God as a loving father (no surprise in that one); a loving mother; and a passionately loving spouse. The links are to New International Version at Bible Gateway. (This is a great tool. You can click on the center icon to see a whole chapter and can compare translations.)
For an image of God as a loving father see: Psalm 103:11-13
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
For an image of God as a father so in love that he will rejoice over the return of a prodigal son, see Luke 15:11-31
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
For images of God as a loving mother see Isaiah 49:15
"Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!
and Matthew 23:37
"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing.
for images of God as a passionately loving spouse see Isaiah 62:15
As a young man marries a maiden, so will your sons marry you; as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you.
and Ezekiel 16:7-14. I’m not quoting this one directly. The language, being vivid and explicit, will get me comment spam than I don’t want.
By paying attention to these texts – and asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit, we can dispose ourselves for progress.
Oh, and bookmark Bible Gateway. It can make you look so biblically literate that your readers might mistake you for a Baptist.
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