Is God a Human Construct?
Is the God of the bible a human construct?
This is no small question. The way that we talk theologically must change to reflect an increasingly complex and refined worldview. Historically speaking, myth has been the preferred method of expressing the inexpressible. Today, science allows for a more refined understanding of the universe, and the laws that apparently govern it. The result being, that history and science have increasingly replaced myth, although myth making and storytelling are still very powerful tools, in constant use, even today; films, books and television, being prime examples. This is how we as a species make sense of it all. That the Hebrews did this should be surprising to no one.
I understand that this a problem for biblical literalists. And, there is great comfort in “Knowing”. Faith, by comparison, simply isn’t concrete enough, at least for some. Faith, however, is the fundamental language of the bible. It’s also the language of relationship. Faith, more accurately means trust.
Is the God of the bible a construct? I believe the answer is “Yes”! That doesn’t mean that God isn’t real, only that, by necessity, we must project something like an anthropomorphic vision of God as an expression of ourselves. After all, isn’t this what all children do? They look to their parents as guides in developing character, morality and in learning how to relate to one another. Should we expect God to do otherwise?
The answer would seem to be found in our very distinct human nature.
For Jesus, the most important questions regarding Israel’s Law are always centered on relationship. Relationship is how we relate to God, and ultimately, how we relate to one another, excluding no one, not even our enemies.
Jesus’ vision of God as Father is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Bible idea and is remarkably powerful. It gives us wonderful way of understanding who we are and where we fit in the story of creation. From that point of view, historical literalism is far too small in its scope. One must use imagination, rooted in real experience to tell such a story. There’s every indication that the Hebrews did exactly that.
This instinct for God and relationship seems to be inherent—and is shaped by environment, by family, friends and political and social institutions. All of which are a part of the biblical story.
More importantly, the notion of moral biblical accountability comes from the top down, and is incumbent on all living things, particularly humans. We are observably and radically different than the rest of material creation, at least the part we can see. To argue that we carry the code of God in our DNA, expressed as knowledge, wisdom, love, forgiveness, justice and mercy seems a completely accurate and appropriate metaphor.
The bible, then, is the historical account of how one small group evolved a vision of God that became the God of much of the world. A fantastic, but true story, against absolutely staggering odds, mind you. China, with more than a billion people, will become an increasing part of that story in the twenty first century.
This brings me to what I believe to be the core question. Does the bible represent actual history? Absolutely! It is history the way an ancient Middle Eastern people would, and did, write it. Not the way that post enlightenment people would. And therein is the key.
It will only be a matter of time before a new chapter is added to the “Great Book”. These discussions are, I believe, a part of that emerging story—and the role of faith or trust cannot be overstated.
Mark Magula
This is no small question. The way that we talk theologically must change to reflect an increasingly complex and refined worldview. Historically speaking, myth has been the preferred method of expressing the inexpressible. Today, science allows for a more refined understanding of the universe, and the laws that apparently govern it. The result being, that history and science have increasingly replaced myth, although myth making and storytelling are still very powerful tools, in constant use, even today; films, books and television, being prime examples. This is how we as a species make sense of it all. That the Hebrews did this should be surprising to no one.
I understand that this a problem for biblical literalists. And, there is great comfort in “Knowing”. Faith, by comparison, simply isn’t concrete enough, at least for some. Faith, however, is the fundamental language of the bible. It’s also the language of relationship. Faith, more accurately means trust.
Is the God of the bible a construct? I believe the answer is “Yes”! That doesn’t mean that God isn’t real, only that, by necessity, we must project something like an anthropomorphic vision of God as an expression of ourselves. After all, isn’t this what all children do? They look to their parents as guides in developing character, morality and in learning how to relate to one another. Should we expect God to do otherwise?
The answer would seem to be found in our very distinct human nature.
For Jesus, the most important questions regarding Israel’s Law are always centered on relationship. Relationship is how we relate to God, and ultimately, how we relate to one another, excluding no one, not even our enemies.
Jesus’ vision of God as Father is deeply rooted in the Hebrew Bible idea and is remarkably powerful. It gives us wonderful way of understanding who we are and where we fit in the story of creation. From that point of view, historical literalism is far too small in its scope. One must use imagination, rooted in real experience to tell such a story. There’s every indication that the Hebrews did exactly that.
This instinct for God and relationship seems to be inherent—and is shaped by environment, by family, friends and political and social institutions. All of which are a part of the biblical story.
More importantly, the notion of moral biblical accountability comes from the top down, and is incumbent on all living things, particularly humans. We are observably and radically different than the rest of material creation, at least the part we can see. To argue that we carry the code of God in our DNA, expressed as knowledge, wisdom, love, forgiveness, justice and mercy seems a completely accurate and appropriate metaphor.
The bible, then, is the historical account of how one small group evolved a vision of God that became the God of much of the world. A fantastic, but true story, against absolutely staggering odds, mind you. China, with more than a billion people, will become an increasing part of that story in the twenty first century.
This brings me to what I believe to be the core question. Does the bible represent actual history? Absolutely! It is history the way an ancient Middle Eastern people would, and did, write it. Not the way that post enlightenment people would. And therein is the key.
It will only be a matter of time before a new chapter is added to the “Great Book”. These discussions are, I believe, a part of that emerging story—and the role of faith or trust cannot be overstated.
Mark Magula