God Hurts? (Jesus, Earth, experience, eternal, bible)

[tomspug]

Does God experience pain, grief, and longing?

I think that a big problem people have with the concept of God is the idea that if there was a God, he would be distant, impersonal, and the source of everyone's problems. What are the implications of a God that has feelings? Do the actions of men cause Him pain? If so, how does He deal with pain?

The human response to pain varies. Typically, a person in pain employs some manner of defense mechanism, adversely affecting relationships. Pain is generally associated with relationships, which is why physical or emotional isolation can be so attractive. This is why I say defense mechanism affect relationships adversely. The defense mechanism tends to defend against relationships.

So if God feels pain, does he defend himself against us? Or would he simply deal with it? What does this say about the character of a God that hurts?

For a little perspective, let's examine the concept of Jesus as the Son of God. Jesus endured physical pain and probably emotional pain as well. According to the Bible, God Himself forsook him when he took on the burden of sin. Was the supposed loneliness of Jesus felt by God as well? Did this cause Him pain?

If God is all-powerful, then why would God allow Himself to endure human pain or even emotional pain?

If God feels pain but does not have a body, what would cause Him pain? If I tell God that I hate Him, does that hurt Him? If I don't talk to Him, are His feelings hurt? To what extent is God affected by our relationship with Him?

If God does have feelings, does this lessen Him? Many people view emotions as a sign of weakness. Does a feeling (even loving) God diminish His power?

Hope there are not too many questions. Just pick the ones that resonate the most.

[Wandered Off]

Originally Posted by tomspug

If God is all-powerful, then why would God allow Himself to endure human pain or even emotional pain?

Some good questions. If indeed god is all-powerful, then we could reasonably conclude that all god's pain is voluntary. What that says is anybody's guess, but it seems god must get something desirable out of it.

Pain and desire could be viewed as evidence of need, which raises the same questions. That's why I tend view it as human projection.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by tomspug

Does God experience pain, grief, and longing?

Gen.6:[6] And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.

[tomspug]

I was trying to prompt a discussion, not quote the Bible. There is more than one question. IF you believe something, THEN elaborate please.

[tomspug]

Originally Posted by Wandered Off

Some good questions. If indeed god is all-powerful, then we could reasonably conclude that all god's pain is voluntary. What that says is anybody's guess, but it seems god must get something desirable out of it.

Pain and desire could be viewed as evidence of need, which raises the same questions. That's why I tend view it as human projection.

I think it's a reasonable conclusion to say that a feeling God would feel voluntarily. My guess is that it has to do with the idea of trust.

In a relationship, when you love someone that doesn't love you back, you don't retaliate when you experience pain, because you love that person enough to make their own decisions. If you continue to love unconditionally the person that does not love you, that is a HUGE investment of trust on the part of the lover. The decision whether or not the relationship continues is in the hands of the other, because the lover refuses to stop loving (to stop feeling pain, in this example).

This is only one example I could think of. Obviously, love is only one feeling.

Also, if we follow the concept of God being all-powerful, then this pursuit of trust (being completely voluntary) wouldn't be a need. If it is a need, we would have to say that God is NOT all-powerful, I would think.

[Phasmid]

Originally Posted by tomspug

If God does have feelings, does this lessen Him? Many people view emotions as a sign of weakness. Does a feeling (even loving) God diminish His power?

I used to think emotions were a sign of weakness... but that's an old cliché. Emotions make you strong... especially love. An emotionless person wont have passion. Think of what you'd do for the ones you love? I imagine there's someone in your life you'd take a bullet for or even be tortured in place of. THAT LOVE IS STRENGTH. Even anger can block all physical pain. Emotional pain is worse than the physical and it can mean a huge change in a person's outlook and make them stronger.

If you were in a foreign country and were wrongly imprisoned and tortured for something you didn't do. But one day you are released, what would get you through it? Trying to block your feelings? No, you'd likely be thinking of family and friends. And what would make you stronger after an even like this? The physical scars certainly wouldn't... but the emotional exercise you just performed would. Without emotions, we're nothing... if God didn't have feelings, all this would be pointless and nothing in the Bible would mean a thing.

[Francine]

Originally Posted by tomspug

I was trying to prompt a discussion, not quote the Bible. There is more than one question. IF you believe something, THEN elaborate please.

WHOOPS! You can join Katzpur in the eternal penalty box for committing the same foul.

[eXiled]

We're supposed to love God, though... but isn't that love derived from fear? Is that true love?

So are we supposed to believe that God is afraid of something?

[Storm]

Originally Posted by tomspug

Does God experience pain, grief, and longing?

I believe it does, through us. Also pleasure, joy, and contentment.

I am an aspect of God. My thoughts, emotions, and actions are ultimately God's. Just like everyone and everything else.

I could go on, but I think I'll wait for a response first.