Contemplating Grace

God as Being I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I believe that prayer changes us and we change things. Mother Teresa[1] Perhaps the most egregious outcome of anthropomorphizing God is in our imagining of God as a human being. Our patriarchal societies since biblical times have portrayed God as a man … Continue reading God as Being

Anthropomorphosis, Part 4 As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him.. John 9:1-3 … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis, Part 4

Anthropomorphosis, Part 3 Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourself that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis, Part 3

Anthropomorphosis, Part 2 For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard…  Matthew 20:1 When we anthropomorphize God – attribute human characteristics to God – we not only create God in our own image, but we also mislead ourselves and others about … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis, Part 2

Anthropomorphosis But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living.  Job 28:12-13 When we anthropomorphize something, we attribute human qualities to it and judge it based on human values, experiences, and understandings. … Continue reading Anthropomorphosis

Savior She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 One of life’s puzzling mysteries – on par with how Santa makes it to every house in the world in a single night – is the claim that Jesus came to … Continue reading Savior