Accommodation Madrid - Accommodation in Madrid, Spain

Word of instruction: Accommodation Terry Dashner Have you ever wondered why the Bible describes God as having arms, hands, and other human characteristics when, in fact, He is Spirit? The technical term for this is called anthropomorphism. That's a fancy way of saying that writers use the language of "accommodation" to describe God in ways that can be best understood by the reader. And the reader can best understand the abstract characteristics of God by seeing Him in concrete, human terms. Let me illustrate this. If I use the term "beautiful" in a conversation with you--because the term is very abstract--the meaning may be misunderstood, unless I put it in concrete terms. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Right. So, in order to paint you a clear picture of beauty, I simply point to a "beautiful" person. Now you have a concept of beauty, and the term is no longer abstract. Here are some legitimate uses of the Biblical language of accommodation: (1) In the realm of theology, God is often described as having physical properties (hands, eyes, etc.). (2) In the realm of cosmology, nature is often pictured in the language of appearance rather than in the language of exact science (the sunsets, the moon rises, and etc.). (3) In the realm of ethics a stronger brother may, in matters indifferent, accommodate himself to the scruples of a weaker brother (ICor.8; Gal.2:3-5). (4) In the realm of doctrine, parabolic language may be employed to accommodate the deeper mysteries to the minds of the unenlightened (Matt.13:10-17). With this brief lesson, I hope you see the importance of God seeking out man and not the other way around. You see, God is too abstract for the human mind, and we can't possibly know Him--unless He reveals Himself to us in a way that we can understand. Jesus became flesh so that we might know what the Father in Heaven is like. Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is showing us the Father, until He comes again. Pastor T