What does God mean to you?

[Edward the Theist]

Assuming there is a Christian version of God, and by that I mean a God who is other than His creation, who resides in a place called "heaven," who knows all things at all times, is all-powerful, and who is present in all locations. Also, that He is ultimately a Trinity consisting of a Father attribute, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Also, that he commissioned the Bible as we know it through human hands and directed its every word.

This being God, what does he mean to you? And if you want to tell me but don't want me questioning what you say, then tell me up front. Don't get all offended if I ask a question about your belief, if you didn't tell me you weren't up for it. I won't be disrespectful--I just want to understand.

Ed

 

[razeontherock]

I'd have to toss out some of your qualifiers: "who resides in a place called "heaven,""

I think that misconstrues important concepts

"who is present in all locations" that I agree with, but it conflicts with the above

"who knows all things at all times"

This is perhaps the most troubling of your list. Do we know this much? Does He know everything up to and including things that quantum physics declares as unknowable? There are many Scriptural passages that exist for the sheer purpose of shattering this notion!

"is all-powerful"

The Biblical concept is more powerful than any other

"He commissioned the Bible as we know it through human hands and directed its every word."

Only certain portions of the Bible are "thus sayeth the Lord." Every type of literature known to man is included in it, and that must be respected and understood to gain much comprehension from it.

Ok, so clearing out those misconceptions, what you have asked is an EXCELLENT question!! It matters little what / who He really is, as that only affects us as we realize it. The book of Genesis is ALL ABOUT THIS! God doesn't change, but He "becomes to us" what we are aware of, and that book records this process.

To me personally, He has been my:

Judge
leader and guide
healer
reward
fortress and high tower, defending my life

On and on I could go with Scriptural references I have experienced first-hand, but I fear if I go further than this it would only alienate and confuse?

Ask all you want, no honest questions are ever spurned by me. Notice I did put Judge first though. I don't think we get anywhere with God until we come to Him as that FIRST. (And the Bible pictures this as a lion.)

 

[PureDose]

Assuming there is a Christian version of God, and by that I mean a God who

... ... ... ... ...

I have to cut you off there, though I read the rest of your post.

You ask "what do I think of God", but then start the post describing what you "know" I think of God. How can anyone give an opinion that someone else can accept, if their mind is already made up on something else?


You want a description of God, you need to have the words of God, and God is from a very vastly different place then man is from. But, God came in the flesh to show us God in a language man can understand, and that is The Word, Jesus Christ.

 

[Tigger45]

Well said. Especially the part {God came in the flesh to show us God in a language man can understand, and that is The Word, Jesus Christ.}

I have to cut you off there, though I read the rest of your post.

You ask "what do I think of God", but then start the post describing what you "know" I think of God. How can anyone give an opinion that someone else can accept, if their mind is already made up on something else?


You want a description of God, you need to have the words of God, and God is from a very vastly different place then man is from. But, God came in the flesh to show us God in a language man can understand, and that is The Word, Jesus Christ.

 

[Edward the Theist]

You all have this immediate defensiveness. Only one out of the three of you seem to even be able to answer the question, "What does God mean to you." I described the Christian notion of God. I'm not saying that isn't the correct notion, I just wanted to be clear that I was addressing Christians, because at this time, I have a very different notion of God.

I mean, if there's no standard definition of God and some agreement among Christians as to who and what God is, then I guess God is just whatever you make him up to be--which of course would mean He's made up. And what could such a god mean to anyone?

 

[bling]

Our Father and Creator.

 

[razeontherock]

I mean, if there's no standard definition of God and some agreement among Christians as to who and what God is, then I guess God is just whatever you make him up to be--which of course would mean He's made up.

This does not pass for logic

 

[Edward the Theist]

Our Father and Creator.

So, do you think you owe God anything? I mean you didn't ask for your spirit to be born or for the world to be made and you to be put in it. So, what do you owe God?

This does not pass for logic

Well, perhaps you should try thinking in a logical way.

 

[bling]

So, do you think you owe God anything? I mean you didn't ask for your spirit to be born or for the world to be made and you to be put in it. So, what do you owe God?

If I accepted God’s help to relieve me from this huge burden in my mind from past actions that have hurt others, so now I feel free, than I owe God everything. He gifted me with the greatest gift and power in all universes plus eternal life and expecting nothing in return. Yes, I feel indebted to God.

If you have continually refused God’s help; then you are hell bound (going to experience some pain and annihilation) so you do not “owe” God anything, but you have grieved Him. If you refuse to fulfill your earthly objective of just accepting God’s help, you still have a lesser purpose for existing and that is to be part of the conditions on this earth that help others fulfill their objective.

 

[FutureAndAHope]

Hi,

God is revealed in his word, to know God is to understand the word of God. But you will find many of the teaching of Jesus were quite radical, they were not just do good be good, although that was certainly a part of his message. He also said that his followers would perform the same works of power that he did. The disciples said the church is given spiritual gifting, such as healing, and prophecy. God is and has always been a miraculous God, and he wants to perform the miraculous in peoples lives. This has been proved true in my life God has indeed performed miraculous signs for me and continues to do so. See Know God Personally for my personal website detailing God's involvement in my life.

 

[Living in the Light]

God is all, both invisible and visible. One presence, one mind, one power is God.

Heaven? It's not out there we are in it already if our state of consciousness is one with God.

How do with become one with God? with much devotion, love, and attention to the Divine.

 

[Edward the Theist]

God is all, both invisible and visible. One presence, one mind, one power is God.

Heaven? It's not out there we are in it already if our state of consciousness is one with God.

How do with become one with God? with much devotion, love, and attention to the Divine.

I agree with everything you said. The problem is I'm not a Christian. Are you sure you have the right concept of God?

 

[Living in the Light]

Truth is truth. God is not a concept. God is reality and ALL. We are in God.

 

[Edward the Theist]

Truth is truth. God is not a concept. God is reality and ALL. We are in God.

I'm sorry, but your thingy says your a methodist. Are you a Christian or are you an acosmic monist like me? You sound like an acosmic monist.

 

[Living in the Light]

Edward, I attend a Methodist church, because it spiritually uplifts me. I really don't believe in labels. God-consciousness just IS. I think God understands if you call yourself acosmic monist, a Methodist, or whatever label one chooses to use. Yes, I'm a Christian, but again, I believe God is not into labels. Remember when Moses encounters God in the burning bush he asks what is God's name and the answer was "I am who I am." I applaud you for your spiritual quest. It will be beautiful.

 

[Edward the Theist]

Edward, I attend a Methodist church, because it spiritually uplifts me. I really don't believe in labels. God-consciousness just IS. I think God understands if you call yourself acosmic monist, a Methodist, or whatever label one chooses to use. Yes, I'm a Christian, but again, I believe God is not into labels.

I know, I know...A couple of years back I came to understand that the modern Christian chic is to deny being a Christian, or religious, or belonging to a church, etc. Pretty soon, you'll all be denying Christ as the only way to heaven. Actually, I think you already do. So, why should I believe what Christians don't even believe?

Remember when Moses encounters God in the burning bush he asks what is God's name and the answer was "I am who I am." I applaud you for your spiritual quest. It will be beautiful.

It will?

 

[Living in the Light]

I know, I know...A couple of years back I came to understand that the modern Christian chic is to deny being a Christian, or religious, or belonging to a church, etc. Pretty soon, you'll all be denying Christ as the only way to heaven. Actually, I think you already do. So, why should I believe what Christians don't even believe?

It's not a matter of what everyone else is doing. Your spiritual path is just what it is... YOURS.


It will?

Perhaps you will understand this as you progress. It's a process.

 

[elephunky]

Before I answer, I should say that my beliefs, opinions and feelings are quite ecclectic and a bit of a mash really.

The Christian God, to me, is the creator of our race and perhaps even the animals. I do not believe he created the universe, and I do not know where he comes from. I dont really need to as my other beliefs hold a lot more ground in my life. And thats pretty much as far as him and I go. I hope that makes sense.

 

[aiki]

Assuming there is a Christian version of God, and by that I mean a God who is other than His creation, who resides in a place called "heaven," who knows all things at all times, is all-powerful, and who is present in all locations. Also, that He is ultimately a Trinity consisting of a Father attribute, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Also, that he commissioned the Bible as we know it through human hands and directed its every word.

This being God, what does he mean to you?

What does God mean to me? Do you mean personally, on a day-to-day level, or on a more theological, conceptual one? Theologically, He is more or less as you've described above, but what He is like in my daily experience of Him is, well, remarkable - often astonishing - always patient, and gracious, and incredibly loving. He is also somewhat scary, too. God is not a "tame Lion." He does what He must to keep me close to Him and to shape in me the character of Christ. He is not content to let me flounder and stumble about; but His strengthening of my character, and clarifying of my understanding, and deepening of my faith can be a lot like a visit to the dentist or having surgery. God, however, balances these uncomfortable times of purifying and molding with an abundance of blessing and a powerful sense of His loving presence.

Selah.

 

[Edward the Theist]

Thank you, dGirl, and Aiki