As far as I know, God in Christianity cannot be seen. And He is everywhere.
And as far as I know, the Bible says Jesus said: those who see me have seen the Father
Will someone tell me, is this a contradictory teaching? Or a matter of literal vs non literal.
2007-09-01 01:54:40 · 10 answers · asked by Antares 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Also, the belief of christians that Jesus is God in flesh doesnt really help, because it seems like it contradicts the teaching that God is unsee able. (If Jesus is God in flesh, than I just saw God)
2007-09-01 01:55:44 · update #1
John 1:1 god and Jesus are one.
Meaning they have one purpose. If you follow Jesus you are also one with God and his son Jesus.
2007-09-01 02:08:58 · answer #1 · answered by pestie58 the spider hunter 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Literal. Exodus 33:20 shows no one has seen God the Father, at any time and lived. We are too fragile. But John 1:18 shows the "only begotten god" (Jesus) has explained Him to us.
Jesus clearly stated, "The Father is greater than I am." (John 14:28) It is true he also said his Father and he were one, but one in agreement, not in the same person.
Thousands of humans saw Jesus while on earth. Moses in Exodus was put behind a boulder in a ditch and allowed to see from a small crack "God's back". When he came down to the Israelites, he was glowing and they shielded their eyes from him.
Clearly, there is no contradiction.
2007-09-01 11:00:16 · answer #2 · answered by grnlow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Literally, in the old testament, God cannot be seen directly but the image or reflection of God can be seen in every person that He created, for the bible says that "human beings are made in the image and likeness of God".
Jesus came to earth in human form. Human in form but divine in heart and mind. Jesus and God the father is One, those who see Jesus had seen God.
There may be many questions in our mind that cannot be answered. For our mind is like a little hole in the seashore which tries to gather all the sea water in it, which is impossible. =>
2007-09-01 10:01:29 · answer #3 · answered by silentwater 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the scripture you quoted, Jesus was merely making the statement that He is the image of God the Father and also that He and the Father were of the same nature.
Colossians 1
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
(read the whole chapter of Col. 1)
2007-09-01 09:03:10 · answer #4 · answered by ptbc 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Jesus did not mean that he looked identical to his Father. God is not a man.
Rather, it meant that anyone who had seen and gotten to know Jesus, his qualities, attributes, etc -- would see the same qualities and attributes as God has. In that sense, it would be like seeing God.
Here is a lot of material about this subject:
http://bythebible.page.tl/God-seen-by-Moses-f-.htm
2007-09-01 09:35:07 · answer #5 · answered by Fuzzy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well its both, actually. Jesus literally is the embodiment of God so when they saw him they so God, but of course the Father is in reference to the first person of God, the creator, the ruler of heaven. But it was figurative in that he meant that that his actions, his life, the way he treated people, was the way that God the father would have us treat people and that's the way God the father cares for people.
2007-09-01 09:01:38 · answer #6 · answered by William D 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, if God is everywhere, then someone looking at Jesus would be looking at God. Also someone looking at Peter or Charlie or Ishmael or even Oprah *shudder*!
2007-09-01 08:59:08 · answer #7 · answered by auntb93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is God manifested in the flesh.
MANIFESTED: To show or demonstrate plainly; reveal,
To be evidence of; prove
therefore Jesus was evidence that God is real,
He was sent down to die on the cross for our sins as a sacrifice, all we must do is believ in in him, and repent from our sins, to be saved.
REPENT: to feel sorry, self-reproachful, or contrite for past conduct; regret or be conscience-stricken about a past action, attitude, etc. (often fol. by of): He repented after his thoughtless act.
2. to feel such sorrow for sin or fault as to be disposed to change one's life for the better; be penitent.
I hope I have answered your question plainly enough, we must have faith in God he will provide our every need.
God Bless you on your spiritual journey!
2007-09-01 09:04:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You're on a roll. You've posted some really good questions this morning. Thanks for getting everyone thinking so bright and early on a long weekend Saturday!
2007-09-01 09:00:24 · answer #9 · answered by buddhamonkeyboy 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are putting way too much thought into a bunch of fairy tales.
2007-09-01 09:06:07 · answer #10 · answered by Jeffari-al-Texani 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋