Avoiding Imperfect Analogies and Examples of God's Character

The Challenge of Avoiding Imperfect Analogies

When describing God's character, Christians must be cautious not to rely on imperfect analogies or examples that could misrepresent God's nature. The Bible warns against creating images or likenesses of God, as this can lead to idolatry and a diminished understanding of God's transcendence ^[6]. Instead, believers are encouraged to imitate God's character by following the example of Christ and adhering to biblical teachings.

The apostle John emphasizes the importance of imitating what is good, stating that "the one who does good is of God" ^[2]. This principle is echoed in the exhortation to be "followers of God" and to imitate Christ's example ^[9]. The Bible provides numerous examples of God's character, including his holiness, love, and righteousness, which believers are called to emulate.

Biblical Examples of God's Character

The Bible presents Christ as the perfect example of God's character. He embodied qualities such as humility, meekness, and obedience, demonstrating the characteristics that believers should strive to cultivate ^[3]. The biblical writers encourage Christians to follow Christ's example in their own lives, including in their treatment of others. For instance, Christ's selflessness and willingness to serve others are presented as a model for Christian behavior ^[3].

In contrast, certain behaviors are identified as being contrary to God's character. Selfishness, for example, is condemned as being opposed to the law of God and inconsistent with Christian love ^[4]. Believers are instead encouraged to cultivate diligence and care in their spiritual lives, seeking to honor God and follow his commands ^[5].

Theological Reflections on God's Character

Theologians have long grappled with the challenge of describing God's character in a way that avoids imperfect analogies. Some traditions emphasize the importance of understanding God's transcendence and distinctness from creation ^[6]. Others highlight the need to avoid attributing human-like qualities or flaws to God, lest we "make God the author of sin" ^[7].

In interpreting biblical passages, commentators stress the importance of considering the context and avoiding misinterpretation. For example, when discussing God's role in temptation, it is essential to avoid suggesting that God is the author of evil or sin ^[7]. Instead, believers should focus on the biblical teaching that God is holy and just, and that his character is revealed through the life and teachings of Christ.

Avoiding Misrepresentation

To avoid misrepresenting God's character, Christians must be mindful of the examples and analogies they use to describe him. The Bible warns against "profane and old wives' fables" that can lead to error and misinterpretation ^[10]. Believers should instead focus on the biblical account of God's character, as revealed through Christ and the teachings of Scripture.

By following Christ's example and adhering to biblical teachings, Christians can cultivate a deeper understanding of God's character and avoid relying on imperfect analogies. As one commentator notes, the "only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ" ^[8]. By focusing on Christ and the biblical account of God's character, believers can develop a more nuanced and accurate understanding of God's nature.

The biblical writers and theologians across various traditions emphasize the importance of avoiding evil and imitating what is good. By doing so, Christians demonstrate their connection to God and reflect his character in their lives ^{[1, 2, 11]}.

Sources

III John “III John 1:11 (BSB) — Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”
3 John “3 John 1:11 (NASB) — Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. The one who does good is of God; the one who does evil has not seen God.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Selfishness — Contrary to the law of God -- Le 19:18; Mt 22:39; Jas 2:8. The example of Christ condemns -- Joh 4:34; Ro 15:3; 2Co 8:9. God hates -- Mal 1:10. Exhibited in Being lovers of ourselves. -- 2Ti 3:2. Pleasing ourselves. -- Ro 15:1. Seeking our own. -- 1Co 10:33; Php 2:21. Seeking after gain. -- Isa 56:11. Seeking undue precedence. -- Mt 20:21. Living to ourselves. -- 2Co 5:15. Neglect of the poor. -- 1Jo 3:17. Serving God for reward. -- Mal 1:10. Performing duty for reward. -- Mic 3:11. Inconsistent with Christian love -- 1Co 13:5. Inconsistent with communi”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
Exodus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Exodus 20:4: 20:4 Not making an image of God is the first step toward recognizing that he is transcendent—that he is the Creator of the universe and distinct from it. To represent God as something in creation was inevitably to end up worshiping the creation rather than the Creator, and this immorality had deadly consequences (Rom 1:18-25).”
James (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on James 1:16: Do not err, my beloved brethren. For to make God the author of sin, or to charge him with being concerned in temptation to sin, is a very great error, a fundamental one, which strikes at the nature and being of God, and at the perfection of his holiness: it is a denying of him, and is one of those damnable errors and heresies, which bring upon men swift destruction; and therefore to be guarded against, rejected, and abhorred by all that profess any regard unto him, his name and glory. Do not err, my beloved brethren. For to make God the author of sin, or to charge him”
Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
Ephesians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Ephesians 5:1: Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity. The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and particularly in the last verses of it, to which the particle therefore refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in these verses, thus: "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you, therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;" for so the word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship, as far as he has revealed himself as imitable by them. They must conform themsel”
1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 4:7: But refuse profane and old wives' fables,.... Either Jewish ones, the traditions of the elders; or those of the Gnostics, concerning God, angels, and the creation of the world; or those doctrines of demons, and which forbad marriage, and commanded abstinence from meats before mentioned; which are called profane, because impious and ungodly, and old wives' fables, because foolish and impertinent; and which were to be rejected with abhorrence and contempt, in comparison of the words of faith and good doctrine. And exercise thyself rather unto godliness; either to th”
3 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 3 John 1:11: Beloved, follow not that which is evil,.... Follow not evil in general, it being hateful to God, contrary to his nature and will, and bad in itself, as well as pernicious in its consequences; and particularly follow not, or do not imitate the particular evil or evils in Diotrephes; as his pride, ambition, love of preeminence, and tyrannical government in the church, and especially his hard heartedness, cruelty, and inhospitality to the poor saints; and so the Arabic version reads, "do not imitate him in evil"; the examples of persons in office and authority have great”

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