The Sin of Anthropomorphism

anthropomorphism
(an-thruh-puh-mawr-fiz-uhm) The attributing of human characteristics and purposes to inanimate objects, animals, plants, or other natural phenomena, or to God. To describe a rushing river as “angry” is to anthropomorphize it.

Have I dazzled you with my vocabularic prowess? Oh well! I'll keep trying.

In a convoluted manner of trying to understand Yehuweh, we tend to anthropomorphize Him. Believe it or not, the Almighty gave some specific commands regarding this. Exodus 20:4-6 says, "You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments."

To imagine our Heavenly Father as anything less than He is, is to break this command. In other words, "Let Yehuweh be Yehuweh!" There are several reasons why one might fall into the sin of anthropomorphism. We will examine them individually.

1. Ignorance. If we have not taken the time, or do not have the experience, we may develop a habit of relating to the Almighty as some kind of a Divine Wish Granter. Although Scripture teaches that our Heavenly Father wants to give us 'the desire if our heart, it also counterbalances that concept with "you have not because you ask amiss." (see James 4:3). If we put Yehuweh on either side of that equation,we are guilty of anthropomorphism.
2. Refusing to bring all related Scriptural concepts to build our theology. Example: If our Heavenly Father loves us so much, why is there suffering in the world? This question shows a lack of study into the principles of Yehuweh's love. Because He loves us he disciplines us (Proverbs 3:11,12). If we refuse to submit to the discipline process, we will be partakers of His judgement. It is because of His love that free choice comes in, and because of our choices, we see suffering.
3. Man-made religious practice. This is probably the most grievous and subtle way we slide into anthropomorphism. Our worship degrades into something less than true 'heart ' expression. We find ourselves relating to Yehuweh according to denominational structure simply because the box created for Him is defined by human experience and does not transcend to its rightful place.

It is time for the Body of Messiah to take her rightful place by giving back to Yehuweh His rightful place. May it be said of our worship, "If they keep silent, these rocks and stones will cry out!"

Shalom