Changing Perspectives of God - Essay Example

? Changing Perspectives of God The depiction of religious symbols and concepts is one which varies by the stories which are established and the communication used between the stories. When looking at the stories of creation, it is noted that there are similarities and difference between the depictions of God and how He is referred to according to the variations of religion and expectation. When looking at the story of creation from the Old Testament, there are differences that are found between Job and the priest that make the different depictions. The basis of what God represents to the religion remains the same symbol. However, there are changes which occur based on the cultural affiliations and individual perspectives of both, making the interpretation of the complete aspects of God differ. The affiliations by the individual, personal insight, current conditions, knowledge and psychology of the narrators speaking to God are some of the ways in which the identity of God changes through the stories. In both depictions of God in the stories of creation are similarities which are noted by both. The similarities are based on God being omnipresent and a higher source of authority. In the book of Job, it is the higher source that is questioned, specifically with the problems which arise. In the second, the same type of attitude is taken, specifically with God being above the priest and one which should be worshiped because of the power in which he holds. The basic perspective between both then doesn’t change and creates an alternative perspective toward God and the way in which the presence is one which holds a higher power to others that are a part of the earth. The representation of God then remains a foundation in the stories of creation, specifically with the ideas of power which hold in the stories. The concept of God in the stories of creation and the ideology of God are known to remain connected in a variety of stories. The main concept is to show that it is God that has created, preserved and can redeem creation. The image which God has then remains above humans, specifically with his power to carry out these tasks. In most stories of creation, God is noted as the creator and the owner of the world. Those who are associated with the presence of God then remain aware of his spirit and identify a relationship with the belief that God is higher than those who are on earth through his powers. The characteristics of God may vary; however, the basis of God being the creator and having power over others is a main theme that is associated with most stories of creation (Moltmann, 2). While there are similar perspectives in creation stories of the depiction of God, there are also other ideologies which are formed around the culture, experiences and personal depictions of God. From this viewpoint, there are differences between those who are looking at the figure of God and what it means. The perspective of Job, for instance, is one which is based on his questioning of God’s authority and how it causes suffering. While the creation is noted for the beauty and the omnipotence which God creates, there is also a note that the maintenance of creation doesn’t have the same beauty and perspectives that are a part of the creation. The main question becomes of the righteous having to suffer and that innocence should remain a main ideology; however, it often leads to suffering. The concept then changes perspective because of the experience of Job and what has occurred. This differs from the perspective of the priest who believes in serving God through his life and which has an approach based on his status as priest while recognizing the creation that God has built with a perspective relating to the need to serve those who are of the spirit. The philosophy which is created by both relates to the main figure of God but differs because of the changes in culture at the time and the personal beliefs based on what is occurring. This particular concept is one which is associated with the ideology of the personal myth. Not only is there a particular story relating to creation and maintenance through God but also a personal myth which links to this. Both Job and the priest have belief systems which they live by and which they have created in the understanding of who they are. By knowing their certain identity and relationship to others they are able to create a different truth relating to God and the idea of spirituality. The truth about the individuals, relationship to the myth and the relationship to God then change the way in which both commune with God. This is further altered by the knowledge of the creation stories and how this links to the cultural affiliations in society. The information which is passed down about God and the main relationship which he has to others is one that is acknowledged by groups of individuals, which further initiates the alternative perspectives each holds toward God (McAdams, 11). The concepts associated with individual relations and conditions are furthered by the understanding that each has a different psychological relationship to God. The psychology of religion is one of the aspects that are considered by creating different relationships to one’s life and how this links to the figure of God or something higher. The psychology begins with knowledge which one has as religion and whether this relates to the object and subject that is a part of the relationships to God. The object of God is where the similarities between Job and the priest are, specifically with the object identified through society, stories and the attributes of creation. However, the subjectivity alters with the relationship to knowledge on God and the personal relationship which both establish. The concept then leads to the seeking of a relationship with God, as opposed to only looking at the object of God and how it defines the relationship to others. The psychology of God then becomes the basis with the establishment of knowledge of God, relationships that are held and the understanding created by both. The knowledge is based on personal affiliations, understanding of the stories of God, cultural acceptance and the identity which both hold in society. Each of these change the psychological components that are related to the identity of God and the conversations to God which are created (Jonte – Pace, Parsons, 31). When looking at both stories, it can easily be seen that knowledge and experiences combine together to create a personal relationship with God. It is this main attribute that creates a difference between both of the stories and which defines the characteristics of God and what the representation is between both. The idea of creation is one which changes with the images, stories and the dialogue which occurs with God in both instances. This is furthered by the knowledge which both has toward God. For instance, Job is looking at the demons and those who have caused more darkness in the world. This is combined with an understanding that there is suffering by those that are innocent. However, this comes from knowledge and personal perception. The relationship to God then changes by the understanding of creation and what has happened. A difference is noted with the priest that goes outside of this knowledge and into the current condition of the priest. This alteration then leads to a different interpretation of what God created, represents and what the personal relationship to the priest is. In both stories, there is a noted difference with God and what it means to understand this entity. The similarity is based on the characteristics and qualities of God, specifically in relation to creation, maintenance and destruction that occur in both stories. However, the differences begin with the personal relationship to God. This is furthered with the knowledge and understanding of the creation which God allowed, the representations which he has and the association which this has to personal relationships. Each of these causes God to become both an object and a subject while identifying the main attributes of God through a personal and psychological perspective. These alternative viewpoints of religion and the symbol of God then change the overall understanding of God into one which is based not only on the true identity of God but also association with relationships and the identity which God has. Works Cited Jonte – Pace, Diane, William Parsons. Religion and Psychology; Mapping the Terrain. Psychology Press: New York, 2001. McAdams, Dan. The Stories We Live By: Personal Myths and the Making of the Self. Guliford Press: New York, 1993. Moltmann, Jurgen. God in Creation: A New Theology of Creation and the Spirit of God. Fortress Press: New York, 1993. Read More