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Page: The Dynamic God

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The Dynamic God

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       The Bible story documents how from the beginning, humanity started going astray. First Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s explicit command, then their son in anger killed his brother. Ten generations down, by the time of Noah, evil was rampant. Here God saw the need to restart the experiment of life – to “reset” the creation (Gen 6:5-7). 

        The word translated “regret” also carries the meanings of “repent” or “reconsider” – to change one’s mind. God reconsidering what to do implies that divine design is not always perfect – God is not as predictable and omniscient as most of us have assumed. Rather the Bible description of how God manages the creation is consistent with what we observe in the world. God is a dynamic Presence, varying its manifestation to fit the varying reality of a world intrinsically imbued with free will – “I will be that which I will be”. 

        God is ultimately in charge – his hand doesn’t wane short (Num. 11:23). Yet, God clearly underestimated the recalcitrant human nature, which we must constantly remind ourselves was created by God. The Flood was a corrective measure to right a world gone wrong where nothing else had worked. It was not rescinding any previously stated covenant or intent. The first covenant with humanity was made after the Flood – after life spans were drastically reduced, diet expanded to include meat, and a list of moral and civil guides given (Gen. 9:1-17). Just prior to this, God had guaranteed consistency in nature – days and seasons would continue while the earth remains. (8:21-22). 

        After the Flood failed to reform humanity – five generations later, humanity again rebelled against God trying the build the Tower of Babel (11:1-9) – God decided to start with one individual, Abraham, hoping that his influence would eventually extend to all humanity (12:3). 

        A parable in the ancient Jewish source, the kabala, probes the “spiritual physics” of why the creation went so drastically astray by the time of Noah. The parable speaks of a king who wanted a palace. He hired an architect to build it. But when the king went to see the palace, he wasn’t pleased. Of course, he would be angry at the architect. The king symbolises the Creator God. The architect is nature, guided by Elokiim, the aspect of God made manifest in nature. Again we are forced to confront the paradox of a logically faultless Creator finding fault within an aspect of its own creation.
 

        In human terms, God seems to be learning what it means to run a universe literally permeated with free will that God had granted. The Bible makes clear in incident after incident that the Eternal God can only be described by the dynamics of a verb reaching into the future – “I will be that which I will be” rather than the static image of  “I am”. 

 

 


Based on: God According to God, Chapter 5, by Gerald L. Schroeder (HarperOne, New York, 2009).

 

 
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About God
The Experience of God
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Amazing Grace
God's Grace and Mercy - Another View
God's Grace in Small Things
Walking with God
God's Gifts and User Manual
God's Loving Care
The Dynamic God
Our Awesome and Incomprehensible God
God, Creation and Truth
The Common Aim of all Godly Religions
Living Buddha, Living Christ
About the Bible
Bible as the Word of God
Inspiration of the Scriptures
Another Reflection on the Bible
Truth Versus Facts
The Bible at your Fingertips
Letter from a Loving God
Book About Basic Bible Teachings
About the Universe
Nature and the Universe
Life's Origin
Our Unique Planet
Mind of the Universe
The Nature of Creation and Existence
Metaphysical View of the World
Order, Beauty, and Harmony - Part 1
Order, Beauty, and Harmony - Part 2
About Humanity
Nature of Humans
Of Creators and Creations
Truth and Perceptions
Our Present State and Divine Potential
Hidden Treasure Within Us
Precious Balls of Clay
Intertwining of Humanity and Divinity
Conversion
Finding One's Mission in Life
Living with Paradox
Scripture Bell
The Potential Good Within Evil
About Health and Happiness
Key Principles for Health and Happiness
Twelve Laws of Spirit
40 Spiritual Principles
Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Wisdom from Rumi
Aspects of Spiritual Life
First Things First
Disciplined Living
Compassion
Listening
Experiencing Joy
Each Day is a Gift
Dealing with Suffering
Living in the Present
Other Aspects of Living in the Now
Choose Life
Dealing with Change
Acceptance
Prayer
Prayer -- Another Perspective
Serenity Prayer
The Lord's Prayer
Prayer to Magnify God
Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi
Pax -- the Peace of God's Presence
Let There Be Peace on Earth
Human Relationships
Children About Love
Inspiration from the Lives of a Godly Couple
Desiderata
References
Beauty
Skies and Seas
Glorious Sunrises
Beautiful Skies
Awesome Sunsets
Beauty of the Sea
Seaside Beauty
Trees and Flowers
Trees and Shrubs
Flowers in Bloom
Rose Garden
Beautiful Orchids
Animal Life
Australian Birds
Birds on Water and Land
Beautiful Creatures
Friendship of Kitten and Parrot
Other Animal Friendships
Parks and Gardens
Toowoomba Flower Festival
Riyadh Parks and Gardens
Spring Time
New Life
Spring Flowers
Flower Close-Ups
The Waterside
Water Edge
Water Mirrors
Artistic Expression
Art of Jindrich (Henry) Degen
Three Dogs Knowing
Beautiful Actions
The Cab Ride
Dancing in the Rain
Angel in Disguise?
Angels at Work
The Crocheted Tablecloth
Love in the Midst of Tragedy
Children's Innocence
Special Day
~ References ~
Free Downloads
God and Creation
God is Love
Identity in Christ
Love, Joy and Obedience
Nature of Truth
Thoughts about Life
Learning and Growth
Thoughts on Life and Death
Abandonment to God
Wishing You Well
Your Comments
Contact Us