H
Hikers5
Guest
I teach an adult faith class and a question came up last week that I explained inadequately, I think, but said I would get back to them and clarify. I have not been able to find a succinct explanation and since I am teaching this evening was hoping for some help.
I was explaining that while we are made in the image and likeness of God in terms of intellect and will, there are distinctions between us. Such as we are created and God is not, we have bodies and God doesn’t and we have emotions and God does not.
The question arose regarding God not having emotions. It was observed that God in the OT especially would show anger or wrath or happiness at the actions of man.
I said in my explanation that the descriptions of God’s emotions was a description for our benefit using words we could understand. But God could not be angry because that is an imperfection in a sense and would therefore be impossible.
But in terms of other emotions, joy, happiness etc., I think I was unclear. I said that since he is perfect Love that emotions are reactions to things outside of ourselves, and because he is perfect, he can’t have reactions because that would imply change and God cannot change.
Am I off base, and could you explain this a little more clearly for me.
I appreciate your help…(before tonite if possible!)
God Bless,
I was explaining that while we are made in the image and likeness of God in terms of intellect and will, there are distinctions between us. Such as we are created and God is not, we have bodies and God doesn’t and we have emotions and God does not.
The question arose regarding God not having emotions. It was observed that God in the OT especially would show anger or wrath or happiness at the actions of man.
I said in my explanation that the descriptions of God’s emotions was a description for our benefit using words we could understand. But God could not be angry because that is an imperfection in a sense and would therefore be impossible.
But in terms of other emotions, joy, happiness etc., I think I was unclear. I said that since he is perfect Love that emotions are reactions to things outside of ourselves, and because he is perfect, he can’t have reactions because that would imply change and God cannot change.
Am I off base, and could you explain this a little more clearly for me.
I appreciate your help…(before tonite if possible!)
God Bless,