Human Characteristics to Avoid in God's Nature Illustrations
Human Characteristics to Avoid in God's Nature Illustrations
When illustrating God's nature, certain human characteristics are to be avoided as they are considered antithetical to God's divine essence. The biblical account in Acts 17:29 warns against likening the Divine Nature to human creations, stating that "we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man" [1]. This caution against anthropomorphism is echoed in various biblical passages and theological commentaries.
Characteristics such as selfishness, overmuch care for earthly things, and ingratitude are considered contrary to God's nature. Torrey's Topical Textbook highlights selfishness as being against the law of God, citing Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 22:39, and notes that it is exhibited in behaviors like being lovers of ourselves and seeking our own gain [2]. Similarly, excessive care for earthly things is forbidden, as it can be an obstruction to the Gospel and is considered unbecoming in saints [3]. Ingratitude is also a characteristic of the wicked, as seen in Psalm 38:20 and 2 Timothy 3:2 [4].
Idolatry, which involves attributing human-like qualities or worshiping created images, is strictly forbidden. Deuteronomy 7:12 and other passages caution against making graven images or likenesses of anything God has forbidden [7, 8]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin's commentary on Isaiah, emphasizes that representing God through images or likenesses is inconsistent with God's nature [5].
Theological commentators across various traditions, including Reformed, Baptist/Reformed, and Methodist/Wesleyan, reinforce these views. For instance, John Gill on 1 John 5:21 warns against idolatry and the worship of images [6]. Similarly, Adam Clarke on Ephesians 5:5 notes that certain behaviors are incompatible with inheriting the kingdom of God [9].
In illustrating God's nature, it is essential to avoid human characteristics that are deemed unworthy or contrary to God's essence. By doing so, one can maintain a reverent and accurate understanding of God's divine nature, as emphasized in biblical teachings and theological traditions.
The biblical and theological warnings against attributing human weaknesses to God underscore the importance of a nuanced understanding of divine nature, one that is grounded in scripture and informed by the insights of various Christian traditions.
Sources
- Acts “Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man. -- Acts 17:29”
- 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: Care, Overmuch — About earthly things, forbidden -- Mt 6:25; Lu 12:22,29; Joh 6:27. God's providential goodness should keep us from -- Mt 6:26,28,30; Lu 22:35. God's promises should keep us from -- Heb 13:5. Trust in God should free us from -- Jer 17:7,8; Da 3:16. Should be cast on God -- Ps 37:5; 55:22; Pr 16:3; 1Pe 5:7. An obstruction to the Gospel -- Mt 13:22; Lu 8:14; 14:18-20. Be without -- 1Co 7:32; Php 4:6. Unbecoming in saints -- 2Ti 2:4. Uselessness of -- Mt 6:27; Lu 12:25,26. Vanity of -- Ps 39:6; Ec 4:8. Warning against -- Lu 21:34. Sent as a punishment to”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ingratitude — A characteristic of the wicked -- Ps 38:20; 2Ti 3:2. Often exhibited By relations. -- Job 19:14. By servants. -- Job 19:15,16. To benefactors. -- Ps 109:5; Ec 9:15. To friends in distress. -- Ps 38:11. Saints should avoid the guilt of -- Ps 7:4,5. Should be met with Prayers. -- Ps 35:12,13; 109:4. Faithfulness. -- Ge 31:38-42. Persevering love. -- 2Co 12:15. Punishment of -- Pr 17:13; Jer 18:20,21. Exemplified Laban. -- Ge 31:6,7. Chief butler. -- Ge 40:23. Israel. -- Ex 17:4. Men of Keilah. -- 1Sa 23:5,12. Saul. -- 1Sa 24:17. Nabal. -- 1Sa 25:5-11,21. ”
- 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”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 5:21: Little children, keep yourselves from idols, Amen. From Heathen idols and idolatry, into which the saints in those times might be liable to be drawn, by reason of their dwelling among Heathen idolaters, and being related to them, and by the too great freedom used in eating things sacrificed to idols in their temples; and from all other idols that might be introduced by some who went by the name of Christians, as the Gnostics, who worshipped the images of Simon and Helena; and the passage may be an antidote against the worshipping of images, afterwards introduced by th”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 7:12: Here, I. The caution against idolatry is repeated, and against communion with idolaters: "Thou shalt consume the people, and not serve their gods." Deu 7:16. We are in danger of having fellowship with the works of darkness if we take pleasure in fellowship with those that do those works. Here is also a repetition of the charge to destroy the images, Deu 7:25, Deu 7:26. The idols which the heathen had worshipped were an abomination to God, and therefore must be so to them: all that truly love God hat what he hates. Observe how this is urged upon them: Thou sha”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 4:23: Take heed unto yourselves,.... Since he should not be long with them, to advise, instruct, and caution them: lest ye forget the covenant of the Lord your God, which he made with you; what that required of them, and what was promised unto them on the performance of it, and what they must expect should they break it, and particularly be so forgetful of it, and the first articles in it, as follows: and make you a graven image, or the likeness of anything which the Lord thy God hath forbidden thee; a graven image in the likeness of men or women, of any beast on t”
- Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 5:5: For this ye know - Ye must be convinced of the dangerous and ruinous tendency of such a spirit and conduct, when ye know that persons of this character can never inherit the kingdom of God. See on Eph 5:3 (note); and see the observations on the Greek article at the end of this epistle.”