God is a Verb
R. Zweiback led Torah Study 4/21 - Deuteronomy 29:20-28
We were discussing why God cannot be anthropomorphic.
The discussion centered on Rambam's teaching of a transcendent God "without ears". The qualities we use to judge moral characteristics of people we tend to extend to thinking of qualities of God. We refer to God's actions in human terms but this cannot be taken literally and must be viewed as a metaphor. But we have to keep reminding ourselves of the transcendent God that is completely outside of and beyond the world.
Predicate Theology:
In the review of the book, “Evil and the Morality of God” by Harold M. Schulweis (Ktav, 1984), by Rabbi Morley Feinstein an interesting way of looking at our view of God is pointed out:
“We cannot prove to anyone what we know about God. But we have seen and experienced human kindness. We know what it is to do good, to love justice, to embrace compassion, to walk humbly, to care for another as we care for ourselves. These are the values that make life a blessing for the living. These are our realities. A proper belief system affirms these values as the actual subject — and God is the verb.
Let’s remember a grammar lesson. The subject comes before the predicate. But if we turn them around an insight emerges. Not God is just, but justice is Godly. Not God is compassionate, but compassion is Godly. Not God is loving, but loving another is Godlike. Thus, we have a new term called “Predicate Theology,” which emphasizes human interaction and responsibility. We have the capacity, Schulweis says, to experience, express and cultivate Godliness.
When evil occurs, the question should not be “O God, why did this happen?” For we have no answer and perhaps God is stunned to silence as well. Rather, we might ask, “What must be done for people to help one another, to act with the Godliness with which each of us is endowed?” Predicate Theology places the emphasis on people’s response to evil.”
Predicate Theology: Read the Article at This Link
I want to think about this concept more!
We were discussing why God cannot be anthropomorphic.
The discussion centered on Rambam's teaching of a transcendent God "without ears". The qualities we use to judge moral characteristics of people we tend to extend to thinking of qualities of God. We refer to God's actions in human terms but this cannot be taken literally and must be viewed as a metaphor. But we have to keep reminding ourselves of the transcendent God that is completely outside of and beyond the world.
Predicate Theology:
In the review of the book, “Evil and the Morality of God” by Harold M. Schulweis (Ktav, 1984), by Rabbi Morley Feinstein an interesting way of looking at our view of God is pointed out:
“We cannot prove to anyone what we know about God. But we have seen and experienced human kindness. We know what it is to do good, to love justice, to embrace compassion, to walk humbly, to care for another as we care for ourselves. These are the values that make life a blessing for the living. These are our realities. A proper belief system affirms these values as the actual subject — and God is the verb.
Let’s remember a grammar lesson. The subject comes before the predicate. But if we turn them around an insight emerges. Not God is just, but justice is Godly. Not God is compassionate, but compassion is Godly. Not God is loving, but loving another is Godlike. Thus, we have a new term called “Predicate Theology,” which emphasizes human interaction and responsibility. We have the capacity, Schulweis says, to experience, express and cultivate Godliness.
When evil occurs, the question should not be “O God, why did this happen?” For we have no answer and perhaps God is stunned to silence as well. Rather, we might ask, “What must be done for people to help one another, to act with the Godliness with which each of us is endowed?” Predicate Theology places the emphasis on people’s response to evil.”
Predicate Theology: Read the Article at This Link
I want to think about this concept more!
Labels: Anthropomorphic God, deuteronomy, Predicate Theology, Torah Study
posted by Chavarah @ 8:27 PM
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