Word of instruction: Accommodation
Terry Dashner
Have you ever wondered why the Bible describes God as having
arms, hands, and other human characteristics when, in fact, He
is Spirit?
The technical term for this is called anthropomorphism. That's a
fancy way of saying that writers use the language of
"accommodation" to describe God in ways that can be best
understood by the reader. And the reader can best understand the
abstract characteristics of God by seeing Him in concrete, human
terms.
Let me illustrate this. If I use the term "beautiful" in a
conversation with you--because the term is very abstract--the
meaning may be misunderstood, unless I put it in concrete terms.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Right. So, in order
to paint you a clear picture of beauty, I simply point to a
"beautiful" person. Now you have a concept of beauty, and the
term is no longer abstract.
Here are some legitimate uses of the Biblical language of
accommodation: (1) In the realm of theology, God is often
described as having physical properties (hands, eyes, etc.). (2)
In the realm of cosmology, nature is often pictured in the
language of appearance rather than in the language of exact
science (the sunsets, the moon rises, and etc.). (3) In the
realm of ethics a stronger brother may, in matters indifferent,
accommodate himself to the scruples of a weaker brother (ICor.8;
Gal.2:3-5). (4) In the realm of doctrine, parabolic language may
be employed to accommodate the deeper mysteries to the minds of
the unenlightened (Matt.13:10-17).
With this brief lesson, I hope you see the importance of God
seeking out man and not the other way around. You see, God is
too abstract for the human mind, and we can't possibly know
Him--unless He reveals Himself to us in a way that we can
understand. Jesus became flesh so that we might know what the
Father in Heaven is like.
Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is showing us the Father,
until He comes again.
Pastor T
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