“For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Theologian J.I. Packer makes the following observation:

“In 1963, J.A.T. Robinson’s ‘Honest to God’ was heralded by an article in one of England’s national newspapers entitled “Our Image of God Must Go.” It is worth pointing out, however, that his “image” of God as personal, transcendent, immanent, holy, the source and goal of all things, is actually a revealed description. Any alterative “image” of God, therefore, is false and idolatrous.”*

What is he talking about?

When Packer says that our image of God is “a revealed description,” he means that God has revealed to us what he is like in the Bible. His meaning is that the Bible tells us what God is like, not the other way around.

In every generation, there is pressure to try and change who God is. People try to change his “image” or give him a makeover to appeal to the latest ideology, philosophy, social movement or politically correct this-or-that.  ‘We need to emphasize this or that about God and downplay the other things that make us uncomfortable.’ 

However, implied in this approach, is that we know better than God and the Bible about what he is like. (For the record, we don’t.)

When something about God is confusing, or when we don’t fully understand something, the solution is to pray, engage in serious study, and consult with other wise disciples—not twist or play cutesy with the Word of God.

What God says is always wiser than what we say.

Let’s grow in knowledge, have integrity, and trust the Word. When that happens, we will share the light of Christ with greater authenticity and power.

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Notes:

-*J.I. Packer, God Has Spoken (Wheaton: Crossway, 1979), 63.
-Bible quotes are from the ESV.