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Talk About God

 

            It is risky to suggest that we can talk about God.  Most reputable theologians know that all talk about God probably misses the point of who God really is.  I would agree with these theologians.  Maybe that is why Quakers’ preferred approach is silence!  But humans have a proclivity to talk and, since I am human, I want to talk about God.  They key word here is the innocent little word, “about.”  We can talk about God.  We cannot be sure that our talk actually names God the way God actually is. 

Talking about God is like talking all around God.  It is as if we point at the reality of God and say something approximate.  I had a friend who once announced she was going to describe the indescrible!  That is what talking about God means.  We are going to do that which is impossible.  The way we do this in language is with metaphors and images.  Of course, there is a long tradition of using metaphors and images to get at who God is and what God does.  I want to share some of these.

            In a recent mediation Richard Rohr commented, “There is an absolute connection between how we see God and how we see ourselves and the universe.”  I agree with Rohr and realize what I say about God reflects how I see myself and the universe.  Perhaps that explains why the most frequent metaphor within Christian circles has the been “the Father.”  Most of us think it is normal to talk about God the Father.  In a society organized and run by men, this would not be surprising.  Usually when something seems normal, then it is easy to assume it is right.  Because I see God as Father, it must be the right way to understand God.

            Routinely a group of wonderful folks join me in a group we call “Contemplative Chat.”  On one occasion we shared some of our favorite images and metaphors of God.  Some resonated with me and others were understandable, but not ones I typically would use.  The first image that someone suggested was to talk about God as Spirit.  For all of us who find the doctrine of trinity meaningful, Spirit is not surprising.  I know in the classical languages, spirit is the same word as wind or air.  It makes perfect sense.  God is around us; we can sense and feel God just like we can breathe the air and feel the wind.  I like God as Spirit.

            Another person mentioned one of my favorites, namely, God as Presence.  When I shared in the group, I told them how my learning more about sacramental theology led me to appreciate the sense of Presence.  As I read about sacraments, I realized those who value the sacraments do so because the sacraments make available the Presence of God---the real Presence, as some traditions will claim.  I like God as real Presence. 

            Having typed that last sentence makes me laugh.  I also know about God’s real Absence!  That made me remember an insightful teaching once shared with me that absence is different than non-existence.  God can be absent, but still exist.  That was an important learning for me.  When I am experiencing a “dry period,” as Quakers call them, I am simply experiencing absence.  I can still hope for the real Presence at some time yet to be revealed.

            Along with presence, the idea of God as Mystery was put forth.  Mystery has some of the same aspects as Presence.  Mystery can be present, but like Spirit, we cannot contain it, describe it or anything like that.  I like the idea of mystery.  Another metaphor similar to Mystery is energy.  This is a more scientific idea that links well with our experience and understanding of our world.  All of us who live in an electronically connected world know a bit about energy.  It is powerful, dynamic and seemingly life-giving.  Just watch people deal with a “power out” and we get a sense for what energy means to us.  I very much like the idea of God as Energy.

            Some other folks in our group suggested some images that are important to Christianity.  For example, they offered the notion of Word.  We know how central this is to the doctrine of the Incarnation---God became human and dwelt among us.  Talking about this image of Word made me think of other biblical images that I like.  One of my fondest ones comes from the Hebrew Bible describing God as a Mother Hen.  I like to think about God as a chicken with wings spread and all of us chicks under those protective wings. 

            There is a whole range of nature images for God.  Again, the Hebrew Bible talks about God as a mountain, a whirlwind and others.  One of our group members referenced an experience of lying on her back looking deeply into the Milky Way and there seeing God in the multiple stars twinkling back at her.  I don’t know whether God’s eye twinkles or not!  But it leads me to one final image of God

            This is the range of personal images for God, which is where we began.  God is Father, Mother and Friend.  I particularly like the idea of God as my friend.  We can playfully suggest that God is our best buddy.  I realize for some people, buddy is simply not reverential enough for dignified.  But I happen to like it.  If God is my best buddy---always there for me and having my back, I am in good shape,

            And since God is my best buddy, then I am called to be that kind of buddy to others in my life---all others. 

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