From before recorded history, there has been a vast amount of knowledge amassed on the subject of God and His Preeminence. Many learned individuals have tried to define God, but in my humble opinion, they all fall short of the target.
Man is in possession of a level of intelligence that surpasses just about everything on this planet, yet that intelligence is finite in nature, as is man. If only one of the descriptive terms used to describe God is used, man is already at a disadvantage that term is infinite, how can the finite describe the infinite?
Some people walking this planet feel that they have the equipment and mastery to fulfill the task of “Putting God in His place” to me that decries a massive amount of misplaced ego, and a word to the wise, be careful of what you say and how you say it, you just might get it!
To these people I proffer another viewpoint. True it is my viewpoint, but none the less a viable viewpoint. The authority for this viewpoint comes from the following sources.
1. Merriam-Webster and Zane publishing, my computerized dictionary:
2. The Encyclopedia of Religion:
3. Unger’s Bible Dictionary:
4. Young’s Analytical Concordance:
5. Wikipedia;
And various web sites of both religious and secular nature. According to these sources man has sought God since before recorded history. There is evidence that
it may be said that almost every known culture involves the religious in the above sense of a depth dimension in cultural experiences at all levels — a push, whether ill-defined or conscious, toward some sort of ultimacy and transcendence that will provide norms and power for the rest of life. When more or less distinct patterns of behaviour are built around this depth dimension in a culture, this structure constitutes religion in its historically recognizable form. Religion is the organization of life around the depth dimensions of experience — varied in form, completeness, and clarity in accordance with the environing culture.”
This is what is stated in the The Encyclopedia of Religion.
Man in all his bluster and pomp is still a religious being. There is that in his nature which prompts him to some sort of faith and worship. With or without special revelation from God, he requires the satisfaction and consolation and guidance that come from faith in the unseen and eternal.
To me that says that man is responsible for religion, and the focus of this religion has always been a Supreme Being (some sort of ultimacy and trancendence). With this in mind, the doorway towards open and frank discussion of the validity of God in todays world takes on a whole new meaning.
I would be totally inhospitable if I did not invite comments and differing viewpoints to make their observations available. So please feel free to join the discussion. I would enjoy hearing from you. There is still much to explore in relation to this subject and I promise I will continue this thread.
This subject has always caused me to go HMMM.
