|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 1:30 pm
There is a group of sociologists that has taken a survey and the results show that most people fall into 4 categories in their perception of God.
And here are the categories:
1) God is Authoritarian
2) God is Benevolent
3) God is Critical
4) God is Distant
I am split 50/50 with God being Authoritarian and Benevolent.
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)
18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
2 Corinthians 4:14-16 (NIV)
14because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with Jesus and present us with you in his presence. 15All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 6:00 pm
I am not sure what you mean by critical, but I believe he is not distance seeing is how he cares about us individually and he puts the Holy Spirit in us. I believe he has justice, judgement, authority, power, glory, benevolence, life, and love. There are probably much more also.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:38 pm
Imotoku I am not sure what you mean by critical, but I believe he is not distance seeing is how he cares about us individually and he puts the Holy Spirit in us. I believe he has justice, judgement, authority, power, glory, benevolence, life, and love. There are probably much more also. This is a survey taken with only 4 categories given. I know God is much more and I have never considered God critical ( I don't think I have met anyone who thinks God is critical).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 6:41 pm
Many times, I find that peoples views of God come from their circumstances, situations in their lives. A lot of the time, they think him distant because he seems to never give them what they want or ask for. Other times, they get a wrong view from other Christians who tend to judge them as sinners before bestowing God's love on them and helping them to try to see the Light, and those people think of God as judgemental, or critical. It is hard to help those kinds of people, and I think the best way is to just be an example.
But here I am getting off subject. From personal experience, I think of God more as benevolent. To me, He is like a wonderful Father, an awesome friend never short of love and joy, but always ready to check us when we do wrong and distribute the consequences in love. Sure, I must admit that a lot of the times, I blame God for being unfair when I am angry. But really, He has us exactly where He wants us exactly with the talents and gifts He gave us, so of course it is right.
But to make a long, beautiful story short, I would think of him more as benevolent.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LearningtoBreath63 Vice Captain
|
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 7:05 pm
Maybe you should have added an answer on the poll that states "what the heck are you talking about?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2007 7:58 pm
LearningtoBreath63 Maybe you should have added an answer on the poll that states "what the heck are you talking about?" Or maybe you should read the first post and make a decision, or not vote at all. Be constructive to the debate.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2007 11:06 pm
I believe there are more aspects of God than just those 4 views. But there are a possible 3 categories that I agree on.
1) God is Authoritarian. This is no contest about this. Like what Matthew said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." Although I could give a long speech about this, I will only give a few examples about how God is an Authoritarian.
First, God is all about authority. He created the universe, the stars, the planets, the world as we know it, and everything we come to know that inhabited in it. God is in control of the World, and the Universe; because He created it.
Now, when He died on the cross and was buried in the tomb, He has been given the power and authority over death; symbolizing of our new birth, from being dead in sin and alive unto Thee.
And last one I want to look at about how God is (or wants in this case) to have authority in our lives. I once read a sing, says "If God is your co-pilot, swap seats." It is human nature to be in control, but God wants to be in control, as it says, scripture after scripture in the Bible.
2) God is Benevolent. Forgive me if my Vocabulary is a little off. I believe that Benevolent is another aspect of God. He is of good nature, He is loving, kind, and just. There is no doubt about that. This word is one of the best ways to discribe God, but it does not scratch the surfice, as I will talk about in a moment.
3) God is Critical. Now, there are a few ways to go on this one, and becareful how you say this and the context you give it in. I looked in a thesaurus, and it gave me the word, "Crucial." The way I look at it that God is crucial to our Spiritual life. I might be going off a little bit of what the meaning they originally give.
4) God is Distant. I do not believe this at all. God is close enough that anyone can come to Him. He cares about us and He loves us.
Now, like I said, there are more aspects on God; and I want to just name a few of them.
5) God is Wise
6) God is Just
7) God is Caring
cool God is Lovingly
9) God is Kind
10) God is Meek
Of all of these characteristics of God, I come to the word that is a combination of all of these words and a lot more.
11) God is Holy
Holy is all the characteristics of God all into one. And the Bible is full of what God is like, and all that He is. I hope this helps a little.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 14, 2007 8:58 am
The meaning of Critical, in this context, was to say that God is standing over you judging you all the time, telling you what you did wrong. I picture a teacher looking over your shoulder while you write an essay with her red pen in hand, sighing all the time. I don't picture God being like that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
