WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED IMAGE OF GOD?  HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE GOD?  HOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN IMAGING GOD AS PERSON AND IMAGING GOD AS ALL PERVASIVE ENERGY?

Your paper must be written in Microsoft WORD (or saved as an .rtf file if you have another word processor); The paper should be formatted according to APA style (consult your Writer's Resource Manual).  You must include a cover page but you do not have to include an abstract or reference page.   Please submit your paper in the DropBox under Unit 3 Paper #1

OR YOU CAN WRITE YOUR PAPER ON THE FOLLOWING:

PAUL TILLICH DESCRIBES GOD AS "THE GROUND OF BEING"--I.E. WHAT IS OF THE ESSENCE OF LIFE.  HE SUGGESTS THAT WHEREVER WE EXPERIENCE DEPTH IN LIFE THAT THAT IS GOD.   WRITE A 3-4 PAGE PAPER ABOUT WHERE YOU EXPERIENCE DEPTH IN YOUR LIFE.  HOW MIGHT THESE EXPERIENCES BE CALLED "GOD"  OR "DIVINE"  OR "ULTIMATE REALITY"?

 

Philosophy Question

Every individual understands who God is and their philosophies about him. These refer to what they believe happens according to God's will, directions and preferences of what He chooses for the Universe. Being from a Christian environment, many definitions have been pushed forth to describe God as a supreme being whom no one brought to existence and exists in three forms: father, son, and spirit. There is no specific image one can conjure up from this aspect, especially where the spirit is mentioned. As a son and a father, there are confirmations from biblical texts that Jesus was the human form of God, who resembled God and represented him on earth (Holland, 2018). However, this does not satisfy the definition of God to be in our form. With the differences human beings have in appearance and looks, it is almost impossible to have the same being appear in almost billions of different forms. This then justifies the definition of the image of God as ‘being in multiform’.

The expression of the physical representation of God is not enough to describe his image. The image depends on looks, behavior, works, and other specific features that humanity may look to about God. With the physical form connected to human appearance through Jesus, the spiritual form relates to its powers in everything believed to originate from him. Some of these include the communication methods it has between human beings and themselves. The garden of Eden was an example of God behaving like a spirit. He appeared to Adam and Eve, knew what the first two beings did, and communicated without noticing. Such behavior, like speaking without being seen, is the nature of spirits in the conventional world. This means God has a ghost's image and character and passes messages to his people in virtual forms. Even though the bible notes that he was in heaven, understanding what someone does is another show of spiritual existence. Finally, the works of God in several instances is through spirits. We are often reminded that the link between our works, prayers, and communication to God is through spirits. Most spirits are in angelic form, performing wonders and are busy linking every individual to God. These do not give God's exact image but allow a conclusion that his image is indescribable and occurs in multiple forms that humanity does not comprehend. But given a chance to choose an image of God, the spiritual form relates to the characters identified.

My description of God is a supernatural being, existing, doing everything, never tires, and keeps his Universe in balance. His abilities are beyond human comprehension, from creation to directing the Universe to the direction He wishes. Evidence of this is in the destruction of the world during Noah's time through floods. As much as he had the powers to direct humans to do His will, He decided to destroy the Universe and allow a different crop of humanity to exist. One of the constants during that time was the preservation of everything created before, confirming His preference to continue with everything as created. With the supernatural powers shown in various texts, it is only possible to give the term spirit as the befitting description of God.

The idea of God as a person and as pervasive energy draws debate from Christians. Humanity is the representation of God as a being. According to Holland (2018), they communicate regularly with God for special favors. The bible is clear on energy existing in the Universe, courtesy of God's creation. However, God does not reside in the Universe but heaven. He does not share his identity with everything in the Universe. This negates God being similar to energy, and thus not the pervasive power. Mostly, people confuse the abilities of God as all-energetic to being the energy. Holland (2018) intones the imperative need to note that even the creations of God have similar features of showing their power, but they are not the energy itself. We only see the results of energy in several actions. In addition, the revelation of God in the form of Jesus was almost in the same human form, although with a few unique abilities. This only leaves the definition of God as a person and not as energy.

These definitions and descriptions differ depending on individuals' understanding of God, His abilities, teachings and more profound readings about Christianity. It presents the best explanations that the majority would look up to. It is imperative to give a detailed approach to handling such issues, as they often cause divisions among people who believe, and those who do not believe in scriptural readings.

In a word, the definitions of God differ from one individual to another. Their understanding of image, philosophies and other representations bears their short or long-term connections with their spirituality. It is, however, evident that God exists as a being and in the form of human beings. Most people who understand God's abilities and powers can relate these to scriptures and explain the various forms they have experienced these forms. The image of God can be as a human, but the supernatural abilities give Him a more edge as a spirit. There is also the undecided definition of God as energy that does not hold approval due to separations in the existence of God in heaven and as part of the Universe.

Outline for Philosophy Question

Introduction: WHAT IS YOUR PREFERRED IMAGE OF GOD?

1. Every individual understands who God is and their philosophies about him.
2. These refer to what they believe happens according to God's will, directions and preferences of what He chooses for the Universe.
3. As a son and a father, there are confirmations from biblical texts that Jesus was the human form of God, who resembled God and represented him on earth (Holland, 2018).

Point 1: how would you describe God?

1. The expression of the physical representation of God is not enough to describe his image. The image depends on looks, behavior, works, and other specific features that humanity may look to about God.
2. Finally, the works of God in several instances is through spirits. We are often reminded that the link between our works, prayers, and communication to God is through spirits.

Point 3: How do you understand the difference between imaging God as person and imaging god as all pervasive energy?

1. My description of God is a supernatural being, existing, doing everything, never tires, and keeps his Universe in balance.
2. The idea of God as a person and as pervasive energy draws debate from Christians. Humanity is the representation of God as a being. According to Holland (2018), they communicate regularly with God for special favors.
3. These definitions and descriptions differ depending on individuals' understanding of God, His abilities, teachings and more profound readings about Christianity.

Conclusion

1. In a word, the definitions of God differ from one individual to another.
2.  Their understanding of image, philosophies and other representations bears their short or long-term connections with their spirituality.