Thingification of God

 March 28, 2018

What has gotten us into theological confusion is the “thingification” of God. That is, thinking about God as if God is a “thing” or an object. Good theology says that God is nothing—no “thing.” To say that God is something—some “thing”—is to misspeak. God is not a thing among other things. Not even the biggest or most intelligent thing. God as a thing is too small. God is that which makes possible all things. And therefore, to call God "He" or "She" (or even It) speaks of a false God. Now, I recognize that for many people this is not a problem. But for those who have lost their ability to believe in God, it is crucial. And for many in our younger generations it will be crucial. To speak of God with integrity in the future will mean leaving behind the thing/object language, as well as the "person" language. Though I am not yet convinced that all "personal" language of the language of "personalism" must be thrown overboard.

 

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