Images of God in scripture

Images of God in the Old Testament

Many Christians who are unfamiliar with the Old Testament believe that its images of God are stern and legalistic. The truth, however, is more complicated. All the inspired writers wrote about the same God, but not all of them had the same images of God. Just as children can grow toward more truthful images about their parents, so Christians grow toward more adult images of God.

In the Old Testament, many images are used to portray God and God's relationship with human beings. God is firstly creator; the creative breath that draws life out of the primeval waters, the creative word that orders the universe (Genesis 1).

God is lawgiver, instructing humans in the ways that lead to life (Exodus 20). Ultimately God will judge all according to their deeds (1 Samuel 2).

God is shown as a shepherd to guide people in safe ways (Psalm 23); as a protector from harm (Sirach 51), and as an avenger for those who suffer harm from others (Psalm 99).

There are tender images. God is the potter who lovingly fashions people as clay (Sirach 33); the mother who cannot forget the child of her womb (Isaiah 49); the lover who comes in search of the beloved (Song of Songs 2).

There are also other images such as the light and cloud that lead Israel on its exodus (Exodus 13), fire that consumes the pleasing sacrifice (1Kings 18) yet does not burn the bush in Moses' presence (Exodus 3).

Images of God and Jesus in the New Testament

There are also diverse images of God and Jesus in the New Testament. The parables of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-19) or the Loving Father/Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) show a forgiving God while Jesus' parable about the Last Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46) presents the tough challenge to serve Christ in the needs of others.

In the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14), Jesus' description of the Pharisee is as stern and uncompromising as his view of the tax collector is compassionate.

In the New Testament, the unique revelation is of God as Trinity. No image satisfactorily portrays the relationship between Father, Son and Spirit that preserves their distinct personhood yet expresses their unity. But the very names given to the persons of the Trinity are themselves powerful images. Father speaks of God as source of all life, as nurturer, as loving protector. The Son is the perfect image of his Father, and the Word through whom all creation comes into being. The Spirit is the mutual love of Father and Son, communicated to us as life-giving gift.

See further, The Trinity in the New Testament, by Felix Just, S.J.