Strand: God, Religion and Society (GRSL1-2E2)
Levels 1 and 2
God as love can be imaged in many ways and can be realised through a variety of experiences.
Consider and explore images and life experiences that contribute to an understanding of God.
Elaborations
Through the experiences of ordinary everyday life: (family life, friendships, arguments and resolutions, taking turns, laughter, being in the environment, having a pet, enjoyment of nature, participation in sport) - the spark of the divine can be recognised and ignited. Reflecting upon and exploring these experiences of the sacred can help people name the mystery of God and be alert to God’s presence in various ways.
Theologian Sally McFague advocates asking: “What sort of divine love is suggested by our images or ‘models of God?’." She suggests three categories to consider for images of God:
- Natural non-personal (Rock, Water, Breath)
- Personalist (Friend, Lover, Mother)
- Philosophical (Being-itself; ground of Being; Substance; Holy Mystery.
McFague supports genuinely thinking about personalist models of God as it is ‘in exactly this arena that people experience God’s saving activity.’
Examples in Scripture include and are not limited to: Acts 17:28 “For in him we live and move and have our being.” Psalm 46. v 10 “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 146 and Psalm 148.
Learning Lites: Revelation; Sacraments, Sacramentals & Sacramentality . (See Sacramentality.)
More Information
Learning Lites: Revelation; Sacraments, Sacramentals & Sacramentality . (See Sacramentality.)