The Doctrine of God - Anthropomorphisms
"Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me." (Genesis 4:14)
Occasionally the Scriptures use expressions that seem to attribute human, physical features to God (such as fingers, hands, arms, and face). Theologians refer to these as "anthropomorphisms".
Illustration: Because God is Spirit and not a body (John 4:24), we know these expressions do not describe Him physically but are used to help man understand truths concerning God.
Application: Paul used a similar tpe of expression when he urged Christians to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). He did not mean Christians should devote time to jogging as they would to prayer and Bible study. He used this figure of speech to emphasize the truth of continuing to live the Christian life.
Occasionally the Scriptures use expressions that seem to attribute human, physical features to God (such as fingers, hands, arms, and face). Theologians refer to these as "anthropomorphisms".
Illustration: Because God is Spirit and not a body (John 4:24), we know these expressions do not describe Him physically but are used to help man understand truths concerning God.
Application: Paul used a similar tpe of expression when he urged Christians to "run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). He did not mean Christians should devote time to jogging as they would to prayer and Bible study. He used this figure of speech to emphasize the truth of continuing to live the Christian life.
posted by Andrew Brown at 10:48 PM
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