Barry Courtier: Metaphors can provide a useful way of forming an understanding of God

The nature of the underlying “Godness” is recognisable through the capacity to love. It is natural for us to say: “I love … ” with respect to a multitude of things, places, persons, art forms, acts, feelings – at differing levels, but all reflecting the ability for objects to engender a meaningful stimulus, to which one can respond. So something akin to a personal relationship is inherently involved – expressible in a variety of forms. As narrated, Jesus saw his relationship, and role, as one of son to father, and this metaphor of faithful obedience formed the basis for his life and actions; it was manifestly right for him.

Thus it can be seen that a valid set of beliefs can be erected on the basis of personal metaphors of the divine, underpinned by the moral precepts and example of Jesus, as portrayed in the gospels. Whether this is describable as Christianity is unclear. Perhaps it does not greatly matter.

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