God and the potter Analogy

[Vinayaka]

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

 

[Windwalker]

I would start by saying that Creation is not like a finished bowl, but rather it is a constantly evolving bowl, continuously being shaped and molded into and ever-changing forms. That in mind, I'd say God is all three, the Potter, the Cause, and the Clay itself.

 

[Quintessence]

God can also be seen as the finished bowl. My tradition does not recognize a hard distinction between "creation" and "god."

So, the fourth option.

 

[SalixIncendium]

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

I would equate the clay to Brahman, the potter to Maya, and the finished bowl to creation. The wheel is samsara.

 

[Nakosis]

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

I don't really see the "bowl" as finished. The universe is an eternal process with no cause.

 

[Thief]

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

the universe is still spinning

apparently....He's not done
even though scripture notes nothing more will be created
shortly after Day Six

 

[LightofTruth]

.

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

I would say God is definitely the potter. He has made all things. And with a rod of iron He will strike the vessels of His wrath and dash them to pieces.

 

[Vinayaka]

I don't really see the "bowl" as finished. The universe is an eternal process with no cause.

I think we can assume more bowls are being made, yes.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I would start by saying that Creation is not like a finished bowl, but rather it is a constantly evolving bowl, continuously being shaped and molded into and ever-changing forms. That in mind, I'd say God is all three, the Potter, the Cause, and the Clay itself.

Nicely put.

 

[LightofTruth]

There is a very simple formula to go from a vessel of wrath to a vessel of honor. Believe the gospel; be baptized into and put on Christ like a garment; and render the obedience of faith. That's it.

 

[WalterTrull]

The analogy separates God and man. I don't see it that way. It seems to me that God is; however, we see him "through a glass darkly".

 

[Aupmanyav]

- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

Advaita Hinduism will say clay.

 

[sun rise]

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

God is the potter, the wheel, the clay and the finished bowl.

 

[The Crimson Universe]

In my opinion, Everything is Brahman.
Sarvam Khalvidam Brahma - Chandogya Upanishad v3.141

Clay is Brahman (Nirguna / Impersonal / Unmanifested) ... and is the cause of all causes.
Potter is Brahman (Saguna / Personal God / Manifested) ... and is the secondary cause.
Wheel is Brahman (Brahman's shakti maya) and is non-different from Brahman.
The Finished Bowl is Brahman (Creation).

 

[Dawnofhope]

The potter analogy goes like this ...
Creation is considered as the finished bowl.

'God' can be seen as any one of three causes, or combinations of the three.
- the potter, or efficient cause,
- the wheel, or instrumental cause
- the clay, or material cause

In your world view, which of the three, or which combination of the three would best explain God and His creation?

The Baha’i world view I’m most familiar with sees s distinction between God and His Creation. So the Potter is God and the clay is distinct from God although He pervades all creation. The domain of creation is always in flux so there is no finished product.