tomspug
Absorbant
Everything that I create is a product of me and bears my "signature", so to speak. I don't have any other reason for believing that God's creations don't bear his "signature".
-
Welcome to Religious Forums, a friendly forum to discuss all religions in a friendly surrounding.
Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to the following site features:- Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
- Our modern chat room. No add-ons or extensions required, just login and start chatting!
- Access to private conversations with other members.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!
Is the Nature of God Revealed in Nature?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
Wandered Off
Sporadic Driveby Member
I'm reminded of the alleged quotation from J.B.S. Haldane, when asked what nature reveals about the nature of God: "An inordinate fondness for beetles."
A
angellous_evangellous
Guest
Didn't he mean "Beatles?"
crystalonyx
Well-Known Member
"Originally Posted by logician
Nature is nature i.e. beautiful, yet powerful and yes, randomly destructive."
God is randomly destructive?
Nature is nature i.e. beautiful, yet powerful and yes, randomly destructive."
Sounds like the same way I would have described God.....
God is randomly destructive?
Kilgore Trout
Misanthropic Humanist
"Originally Posted by logician
Nature is nature i.e. beautiful, yet powerful and yes, randomly destructive."
God is randomly destructive?
I'd have to disagree with this. All of god's numerous destructive acts seemed conscious and specific.
Depends on what you consider to be "god". If it is the nameless existence, per the quote in your sig, and if there is indeed nothing between the named (nature) and the nameless, then where else could it be revealed? It's a quandary: in the very act of its revelation it is named, and therefore "it" is not its nature.
Last edited:
Comicaze247
See the previous line
Well, I believe that "God" is just a concept. A way for human beings to try to understand the world around them. Therefore, yes I believe that "God's" nature is in Nature.
Random, but all random things happen for a reason, the purpose of balance. The natural world is full of balance. Animals breathe in oxygen, breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide, and create oxygen. A creature dies, rots, and creates fertilizer for another life form, plants.
That, in my opinion, is the nature of "God."
Random, but all random things happen for a reason, the purpose of balance. The natural world is full of balance. Animals breathe in oxygen, breathe out carbon dioxide. Plants take in carbon dioxide, and create oxygen. A creature dies, rots, and creates fertilizer for another life form, plants.
That, in my opinion, is the nature of "God."
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
I think if people looked to nature more they would have a more balanced view of things.
Beauty and horror, hand in hand.
wa:do
Beauty and horror, hand in hand.
wa:do
ayani
member
Spirit ~
some of what you quote comes from the Gospel of Thomas. it's a very old work, and worth studying. yet the pantheistic notions attributed to Jesus therein don't square with how He talks about God in the canonical Gospels. elsewhere in the Gospels He paints a portrait of a God who is Someone, independent of His Creation, and knowable. His presence is everywhere, yet Christ demonstrates that truly meaningful communion with Him comes not through a general awareness of His reality, but rather through personal prayer. Jesus' prayers are simple, brief, personal, and conversational. He calls God "Father" and talks respectfully yet openly with Him, and encourages us to do the same.
it is true that He and God are One. and that He speaks of a unity between Himself, those who believe in Him, and God. yet... it's not the same kind of unity described in Sufism or as moksh in Hindu faith. in such descriptions of unity, self hood falls away, and merges with an impersonal, vast Godhead.
in Christian faith, it's more a like a completion of self in relation to God, via Christ Jesus. self is repaired and restored relationally to God, in His Son the Messiah. it's His being fully God and fully man which allows Him to make that connection, and reconcile in Himself what we can't reconcile on our own.
some of what you quote comes from the Gospel of Thomas. it's a very old work, and worth studying. yet the pantheistic notions attributed to Jesus therein don't square with how He talks about God in the canonical Gospels. elsewhere in the Gospels He paints a portrait of a God who is Someone, independent of His Creation, and knowable. His presence is everywhere, yet Christ demonstrates that truly meaningful communion with Him comes not through a general awareness of His reality, but rather through personal prayer. Jesus' prayers are simple, brief, personal, and conversational. He calls God "Father" and talks respectfully yet openly with Him, and encourages us to do the same.
it is true that He and God are One. and that He speaks of a unity between Himself, those who believe in Him, and God. yet... it's not the same kind of unity described in Sufism or as moksh in Hindu faith. in such descriptions of unity, self hood falls away, and merges with an impersonal, vast Godhead.
in Christian faith, it's more a like a completion of self in relation to God, via Christ Jesus. self is repaired and restored relationally to God, in His Son the Messiah. it's His being fully God and fully man which allows Him to make that connection, and reconcile in Himself what we can't reconcile on our own.
Last edited:
J Bryson
Well-Known Member
As I find myself leaning leaning more and more to believing in the existence of a divine force, nature itself seems to speak its name. Grass, trees, the sun, the interplay of cosmic forces, and, yes, beetles and destructive hurricanes...they all speak God's name.
Now, it is possible that I'm simply making pictures from clouds, but I find little of personal value or worth in that idea.
Now, it is possible that I'm simply making pictures from clouds, but I find little of personal value or worth in that idea.
ranjana
Active Member
No disrespect intended, but isnt this one of the very central points of this forum? Exploration and discussion of god?
But for the OP, I love nature, but it surely doesnt reveal the 'nature of god' to me. God's nature is pure, eternal, changeless. Nature can be vicious, changing, qualities that also mark the natures of humans. My goal is to go beyond my human nature, (which is driven by the forces of nature) and know my divine nature.
ayani
member
J Bryson
Well-Known Member
Not my specific religious path, but yes, that's more or less the sentiment expressed in different words. Thank you so much for that.
Take it from an Atheist
God is definately in Natural
I love hiking though the woods and reaching the summit overlook as the sunsets. With a crystal clear view to the edge of the world. The stunning Blues and Oranges contrasted by the greens of the trees. The sparkling blue water casting an incredible mirror to it all.
or
An early morning hike where the air is crisp and fresh approaching an opening an a herd of deer grassing in the lush grass the foals present. Startled by me but ignoring me. I stop quitely and watch. Finally there nerves get the best of them and they gracefully pranch away.
or
My summer garden. The first tomato, the first cucumber, the first green squash and their taste. Nothing is better
or
Laying on the green grass on the summer days watching the clouds form pictures in the sky.
or
Laying on the grass on a summers night counting the stars in the sky speculating on alien life, wondering if they are thinking the same.
ETC.
God is definately in Natural
I love hiking though the woods and reaching the summit overlook as the sunsets. With a crystal clear view to the edge of the world. The stunning Blues and Oranges contrasted by the greens of the trees. The sparkling blue water casting an incredible mirror to it all.
or
An early morning hike where the air is crisp and fresh approaching an opening an a herd of deer grassing in the lush grass the foals present. Startled by me but ignoring me. I stop quitely and watch. Finally there nerves get the best of them and they gracefully pranch away.
or
My summer garden. The first tomato, the first cucumber, the first green squash and their taste. Nothing is better
or
Laying on the green grass on the summer days watching the clouds form pictures in the sky.
or
Laying on the grass on a summers night counting the stars in the sky speculating on alien life, wondering if they are thinking the same.
ETC.
Romans 1: 18, God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known.
God punishes them, because what can be known about God is plain to them, for he made it plain to them in the creation itself, which is his visible represntation, in which his invisible qualities are revealed, both his eternal power and his divine NATURE, have been clearly seen; for they are perceived in the creation itself etc.
painted wolf
Grey Muzzle
I think of someone walks through the woods or the mountains or where ever they can see the deep beauty of nature and not feel the wonder that can lead some to thoughts of god... then they are missing something profound in their own self.
Awe and wonder are vital parts of human experience.
wa:do
Awe and wonder are vital parts of human experience.
wa:do
I completely agree with the Wolf on this one!
Ben Dhyan
Veteran Member
Yes, IMO nature revealed is the nature of God.
However, the limitation of the mortal mind is such that the extent of that nature revealed is sure to be significantly less than the indivisible WHOLE.
Awe of God is the beginning of wisdom.
I believe that nature does reveal the nature of God or at least a little part. Nature is intricate, beautiful, mysterious, and full of meaning.
And that somewhat echoes a part of God. God is obviously the most intricate being and is so much more beautiful and mysterious than we can even imagine and He is also the real definition of meaning. He is the reason we even exist and our true meaning in life is to worship him and do everything for his glory.