Examples of Misleading Analogies in Describing God's Character
Misleading Analogies in Describing God's Character
The biblical prohibition against idolatry is rooted in the understanding that God cannot be likened to created things. The apostle Paul writes that humans "exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator" [2]. This exchange is a fundamental distortion of God's character, as it reduces the infinite and incomprehensible God to a finite, created representation.
One of the primary concerns with using analogies to describe God's character is that they can lead to a diminishment of God's glory. Isaiah 40:18 asks, "To whom will you liken God? What image will you compare to him?" [5]. The prophet highlights the absurdity of attempting to represent God through idols or created things. Calvin notes that the power of God is infinite, and therefore, "no image that is formed will have any likeness or resemblance to" Him [6].
The use of analogies can be particularly problematic when they imply that God is like a created being. For instance, representing God as having human-like emotions or characteristics can lead to anthropomorphism, where God's nature is reduced to human-like qualities. The biblical writers warn against such representations, emphasizing that God's ways are not human ways [1, 4].
Some traditions have used analogies to describe God's character, but with caution. For example, the image of God in humanity is seen as a reflection of God's character, but not a direct representation [3, 7]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin, emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of analogies in describing God's nature [3, 6].
The biblical writers themselves use analogies and metaphors to describe God, but these are not meant to be taken as literal representations. Instead, they serve to convey the depth and richness of God's character. For example, God is described as a Father, a Lord, and a Creator, emphasizing different aspects of His nature [7].
Sources
- Romans “and traded the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and creeping things. -- Romans 1:23”
- Romans “Romans 1:25 (BSB) — They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Genesis, Vol. 1 (Gen 1-23), section 5.31: and fourteenth books on the Trinity, also the eleventh book of the “City of God.” I acknowledge, indeed, that there is something in man which refers to the Father and the Son, and the Spirit: and I have no difficulty in admitting the above distinction of the faculties of the soul: although the simpler division into two parts, which is more used in Scripture, is better adapted to the sound doctrine of piety; but a definition of the image of God ought to rest on a firmer basis than such subtleties. As for myself, before I define the”
- Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 40:18: The prophet here reproves those, 1. Who represented God by creatures, and so changed his truth into a lie and his glory into shame, who made images and then said that they resembled God, and paid their homage to them accordingly. 2. Who put creatures in the place of God, who feared them more than God, as if they were a match for him, or loved them more than God, as if they were fit to be rivals with him. Twice the challenge is here made, To whom will you liken God? Isa 40:18, and again Isa 40:25. The Holy One himself says, To whom will you liken me? This shows th”
- Isaiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Isaiah 40:18: 40:18 To whom . . . What image: Earlier in the book, idolatry was shown to be ridiculous (16:12; 37:16-19). Chapters 40–48 open up a much more extensive argument against idolatry. Idols are symbolic representations of gods and, at times, other religious concepts. Those who worship them don’t recognize the implication that they are man-made trinkets. Idols are powerless (41:7, 22-24; 48:14), give a false sense of security (42:17), delude people (44:20), and lead to severe disappointment (42:17; 45:16, 20). They cannot help those who care for them. In fact, they ar”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 3, section 8.30: in guarding the Jews against distrust, at the same time condemns the superstitions of the Gentiles, and declares that it is inconsistent with the nature of God to be represented by painting or by any kind of likeness. This shews clearly that Paul’s doctrine fully agrees with it; for the Prophet, after having shewn that the power of God is infinite, since he holds all things in his fist, at length concludes, “To whom then will ye liken me? for no image that is formed will have any likeness or resemblance to me.” Or, what resemblance will you a”
- James (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on James 3:9: God--The oldest authorities read, "Lord." "Him who is Lord and Father." The uncommonness of the application of "Lord" to the Father, doubtless caused the change in modern texts to "God" (Jam 1:27). But as Messiah is called "Father," Isa 9:6, so God the Father is called by the Son's title, "Lord": showing the unity of the Godhead. "Father" implies His paternal love; "Lord," His dominion. men, which--not "men who"; for what is meant is not particular men, but men genetically [ALFORD]. are made after . . . similitude of God--Though in a great measure ma”