Defining God: My 2022 "Christmas" Post

 

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.”

-- Soren Kierkegaard

As Christmas descends upon us, my thoughts go to our Lord, Jesus, and to the omnipotent power that created Him.  I am a Christian, though the Bible and I stand apart on many things.  I contemplate "God" and heaven, and I constantly walk a fine edge where hell is concerned.

I am one to stand at the edge of the abyss, contemplating the infinity before me.  I do this often.  Occasionally, I'll smile and look into the abyss.  The abyss always looks back, and I always sick out my tongue in defiance.  But, when I contemplate infinity, I am contemplating the reality of my definition of God, the omnipotent power in the universe, the creator of all things, and perfection. Did I say perfection?

Did God set us up to fail in the Garden of Eden?  God is "all knowing" so the apple was a setup, right? Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden and God paced Guards at the gates so they can't return.  Why does an omnipotent being have use for guards, unless you can't control your creation?  But, they needed to leave lest they eat from the tree of life:

"Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever..."

-- Genesis 3:22

I'd really like to know who "Us" is.  This is just the beginning of "Holy Scripture" and, already, there are many questions.  As we continue through this first chapter, Cain kills Abel and is banished from the land of Eden.  He goes to live in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.  Why are there two lands?  Doesn't God only need one?  In Nod, Cain meets his wife.  His what?   Where did she come from?  And she bears him a son, Enoch, and Cain builds a city for his wife's people.  Her what?  Where did they come from?  And so on and so forth, scripture continues to confuse.  And, one has to ask, faith notwithstanding, Who was the fallible being that created Adam and Eve?  Who is the fallible being that populates most of the Holy Scriptures?

Don't get me wrong, I seriously believe in God, I just have my doubts about the story and its many issues, or the "being" and His many faults.  Ancient alien investigators might agree.  But, this is all put on the shoulders of the multiple Councils of Nicaea and the mortal men who chose what scripture they would like to be read by the faithful.  The WORD of God, or the word of men "inspired" by God, and all of the laws and intolerance that ruled the known world of the day?  You decide.

Were we created?  Probably.  By "God"?  I would say that we were, indirectly.  Everything in the known and unknown universe was created by the "ultimate power" that exists.  I call this ultimate power "God," but I don't confuse my definition of God with imperfection.  This "omnipotent" power requires supervision over His creations, lest they go wry.  He requires angels, for what?  He requires obedience that, for some reason unknown to us, He cannot dictate.  Angels have been banished from heaven.  Discord in one's own army?  But, you're God.  God may have created "imperfection" as a tool for learning, but my definition of God does not fall prey to His creations. Something to do with Him knowing everything. 

Rumor has it, God has a wife. Let's not even get into the ramifications of marriage to a deity.  But, we do see how this story goes, and why I have severe issues with scripture.  Is there a God?  I believe there is, I just have my doubts about which God we're giving credence to, the God that created us, or the God that created the God which created us.  The power that is God is defined "...as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end."  Sounds like "ultimate energy" to me. George Lucas might have been onto something with "Star Wars" and the "force" in which the movie navigates.

Makes one think.  Well, it makes me think, and I only scratched the surface.  But, then, I'm a bit strange.

“There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”

-- Shakespeare, "Hamlet" (Act 1 Scene 5)

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with the United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and, finally, a senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world-renowned, Western Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research.

Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony: tolerantpastor@gmail.com