ANTHROPOMORPHISM

[Theja]

In biblical studies, Anthropomorphism is a combination of two Greek letters to mean human expressions is used to describe the activities of God.

For example, the Bible mentions the right arm of God (power of God) or the eyes of God (something precious to God, or nothing can be hidden from God) etc.

Genesis 2:2 mentions of God resting after creation. Some people have tried to ridicule the Bible by saying that God cannot get tired. But the context is simply pointing to the fact of the completion of creation, and Sabbath is pronounced (to rest, vs. 2-3).

(In general we call God 'Father of mankind', because of the creation, and not because He had a wife who gave birth to Adam and Eve).

In John 5:17, Jesus talks about God always working. Here the creation is not in reference, but God's active plan of redemption for the world, because He loves the world (John 3:16). The moment Adam and Eve sinned, God ordered a plan to bring redemption to their descendants. In this, one day the sacrifice of THE LAMB was anticipated as revealed in Revelation 13:8.

Meanwhile, an animal was killed to provide covering for Adam and Eve. The same concept was shown to Cain and Abel, but Cain disregarded the specific detail and brought produce from his fields; and his worship was rejected (Genesis 4:1-16).

One prominent theme in the Torah (Genesis to Deuteronomy) is the offering of sacrifice in the temple.

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Even today, the loving God is reaching out to mankind by ensuring the spread of the gospel around the world. God is using creative avenues, and creating opportunities, for people to hear the gospel and receive His salvation.

God loves the individual. Heaven awaits the person who responds and embrace His offer by faith. The law has been fulfilled by Christ (Matthew 5:17), and paid for on the cross (sacrifice). Now on the merit of Christ, not on religious brownie points, one can come to God and be accepted. (John 6:47).

[LalaMimi]

The Jesus of the Bible was a martyr and not a sacrifice.. he had no choice in the matter of being killed. He did not offer his life to anyone or for any cause, instead he accepted his fate. In the NT, he is depicted as being a threat to the Pharisees, they plotted and handed him over to Caesar and they made sure that he would receive the penalty of death... if anything, they sacrificed a murderer, to be set free, in favour of their political threat to be extinguished.

[Theja]

Lmm, That's your opinion --- and that's your problem.

[Theja]

Because sin has marred the human race --- there is no such thing as a perfect man or an eternal youth --- we cannot bear to see God with the naked eye in the present condition. On both scientific and practical ground, no one would dare to stare at the sun in its strength for long. Multiply that into 10000 suns or one million. Too powerful: everything will melt in nanoseconds. Likewise, God is too holy and awesome for us in the flesh to see Him : He is too powerful and we are too weak.

In this context, God says no one can see me and live (Exodus 33:20).

So when Moses went to receive the 10 commandments on Mt. Sinai, he could not see but only feel the presence of God. As for the people, they were not to come near the mountain at certain point on pain of death. It took Moses 40 days before he finally returned from the mountain.

When God appears to us, He has to conceal His glory. When Moses requested to see God's glory, in essence God replied that Moses can see only in a very limited sense. In anthropomorphic term, God says to Moses: I will put you in a corner on the rock, cover your eyes with my hand, and when I finally pass you by, I will take my hand off and you will get a glimpse of my back.

In the flesh we cannot see God, so we have His Word (Bible) and the Holy Spirit to activate the appropriate message for our lives at the appropriate time. That's why we say, the Word of God is alive!

We can hear the voice of God from His Word.

Jesus died and resurrected. Those who are in Christ will be given this Spirit of resurrection to be with God in heaven. The physical body is discarded at death. To the Christian, death is a graduation -- from earthly existence to the heavenly abode. In the spirit we will receive immortal heavenly bodies. Eternal life!

Eternal Life is not gained by religious works. But by the Spirit of Christ. To the person who is in Christ, everything becomes new (2 Corinthians 5:17).

[Ma_Li_Ka]

Originally posted by Theja
Lmm, That's your opinion --- and that's your problem.

Always sooo friendly!

So what's on TBN tonight?

[Theja]

I hardly watch TBN these days. Occasionally when I get it, I watch that Egyptian preacher on TBN -- he's good. God is using him and gave him a good audience (can't recall his name, will share later).

[Ma_Li_Ka]

I only know the Palestinian dude Benny Hinn. But he always says he is an Israeli.

I'm sure TBN would hire an Arab, because that sounds really cool an Arab that converted to christianity!!!!!!! Ain't that HIP!? But let's not forget though that many Arabs are already christians (orthodox church)