Do We "Resemble" God?
Video Version of my Essay on Mistranslations - in Genesis, and Exodus -- That Blur Our Closeness to and Resemblance to Our Creator
Enjoy this Memorial Day presentation on video of my essay about our resemblance to God, as the original Hebrew has it in the Hebrew Bible’s Genesis, and about God’s in-person manifestation to thousands of people at once, at the foot of Mt Sinai, as the original Exodus 19-20 surprisingly (to me) recounts. (Just one spoiler alert: He may not actually have said “I am a jealous God” but rather “I am a zealous God”). This set of explorations below adds more evidence to my argument in my readings from the Hebrew Bible and the Geneva Bible in general, that subsequent translations, sects and denominations, both Jewish and Christian, whether intentionally or not, elided God’s interest in direct communion with ordinary people - and actually blurred His in-the-original likable, relatable, human-like character into being a character presented as more distant, irrational, punitive and impenetrable. The latter does not actually exist in the original text. Have four hundred years of theology damaged people’s understanding of their actual closeness to YHWH, and of His to us, in the story of the Bible itself, and has this alienation been based on numerous later distortions of the text?
Hi Naomi, it is wonderful to watch your journey. I would only say, we need to be careful to not create a God in our own image. God is ‘other’, He is holy…He is not like us. He does not need us, that would make Him incomplete. He does, however desire relationship with His creation. That was broken when Adam broke covenant with God, and sin entered in. The Abrahamic covenant and Temple Age set apart a people for Himself, through the law and sacrificial system there was temporary atonement for sin. What was ‘hidden' was that God ordained a ransom to be paid for Adam’s sin. Messiah came and fulfilled the Law and the Prophets… His death and resurrection bringing about the end of the Temple Age and creating "one new man” (Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, chapter 2) out of believing Jews and Gentiles, putting an end to hostility and the veil, that separated man from God, was torn top to bottom. Paul gives a wonderful explanation, through the Holy Spirit, regarding this new creation. Jesus (Yeshua) is our reconciler to the Father.
Mr. Miller,
I found your pattern of logic intriguing.... just one thought poked it ‘s way into my musings about it. Where is the motivation to do this? To make “good stuff and not be slaves?” I submit that the only true force that will propel one forward to do good works is the singular desire to honor the Lord God Almighty and to give Him all the glory...”Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty!”