Scott Adams, the creator of the Dilbert cartoon, has written a most fascinating book, God's Debris: A Thought Experiment. First published as an E-book in 2001, it came out in paperback form last year. It's not the kind of book for a close-minded person. It challenges us to think about cosmic things in altogether different ways.
One of the first things Adams' writes about his book is that "It's designed to make your head spin around inside your skull". Since my brain tends to act this way on a daily basis, reading this work hasn't caused any new affects. Still, it's a very thought-provoking exercise.
I haven't finished reading the whole book and I don't plan to write a review of it. I will, however, pull from it some observations that are congruent with ones I've written about before. Expect to see references to God's Debris over the next few weeks.
One of the questions posed by one of Adams' central characters is "What sort of arrogance assumes God is like people?" I asked this same type of question in an earlier entry here. Since that initial post, I've thought about this topic some more.
From the Christian perspective, the acceptance of the idea that we humans are created in God's image represents a backward method of developing a sociological hypothesis. We observe what we believe is the finished product -- humankind -- and then postulate that, if we appear to be a certain way, then God must be that certain way too.
Imagine how this would work if we were looking at a loaf of bread. If we didn't know precisely who created the loaf of bread, looking at it would not get us any closer to the answer. If we theorized that it's creator must be a starchy substance with a dark brown outer skin and a lily white inner body, we'd most likely be wrong.
So, why do we presume to think that God has the same emotional makeup that we do? Why do we describe him/her as exhibiting anger, jealousy or happiness?
As Adams aptly points out, if God is omnipotent, God would not have the need to be angry, jealous or happy. We humans have that need because we can't see the future. But an omnipotent being sees and knows everything (past, present and future), so there is no need for emotion.
What is, is. What isn't, isn't.
When viewed from this perspective, it's readily apparent that it would be utterly impossible for humankind to be created in God's image.
One of the first things Adams' writes about his book is that "It's designed to make your head spin around inside your skull". Since my brain tends to act this way on a daily basis, reading this work hasn't caused any new affects. Still, it's a very thought-provoking exercise.
I haven't finished reading the whole book and I don't plan to write a review of it. I will, however, pull from it some observations that are congruent with ones I've written about before. Expect to see references to God's Debris over the next few weeks.
One of the questions posed by one of Adams' central characters is "What sort of arrogance assumes God is like people?" I asked this same type of question in an earlier entry here. Since that initial post, I've thought about this topic some more.
From the Christian perspective, the acceptance of the idea that we humans are created in God's image represents a backward method of developing a sociological hypothesis. We observe what we believe is the finished product -- humankind -- and then postulate that, if we appear to be a certain way, then God must be that certain way too.
Imagine how this would work if we were looking at a loaf of bread. If we didn't know precisely who created the loaf of bread, looking at it would not get us any closer to the answer. If we theorized that it's creator must be a starchy substance with a dark brown outer skin and a lily white inner body, we'd most likely be wrong.
So, why do we presume to think that God has the same emotional makeup that we do? Why do we describe him/her as exhibiting anger, jealousy or happiness?
As Adams aptly points out, if God is omnipotent, God would not have the need to be angry, jealous or happy. We humans have that need because we can't see the future. But an omnipotent being sees and knows everything (past, present and future), so there is no need for emotion.
What is, is. What isn't, isn't.
When viewed from this perspective, it's readily apparent that it would be utterly impossible for humankind to be created in God's image.
Now this one I agree with. ;) Sounds like a good read.
ReplyDeleteIt IS a good read. I'm not saying everyone will agree with it, but it does provide ample food for thought.
ReplyDelete