Anthropopathism
"A. An anthropopathism is language of accomodation through which infinite God reveals Himself to the finite man.
B. Anthopopathism is derived from the Greek:
1. Anthropos (a&nqrwpo$ ), “man.”
2. Pathos (pavqo$ ), “an inner function of the soul with overt manifestations.”
C. Anthropopathisms ascribe to God human characteristics which He does not have, in order to explain God’s policy or viewpoint to us in terms of human attitudes.
D. The Bible ascribes the following human emotions to God that He does not possess in order to convey His attitude towards man in terms that man can understand.
E. The following is a brief list of anthropopathisms found in the Word of God.
F. Examples of anthropopathisms:
1. God hates (Rm. 9:13).
2. Harbors jealousy (Ex. 20:5a; 34:14; Deut. 4:24; 6:15a).
3. Changes His mind (Gn. 6:6).
4. Vents violent anger (Jer. 4:8; 12:13; 25:37; 51:45; Ezek. 5:15).
G. These qualities are incompatible with God’s essence, but such statements are descriptive and gain the attention of the reader.
H. In Ephesians 4:30 the apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit employs an anthropathism, ascribing the human emotion of grieving to the Holy Spirit, which He does not possess in order to communicate the Spirit’s attitude towards us when we live in our old sin natures.
I. He is using language of accomdation to communicate the Spirit’s attitude toward us when we sin."
http://www.wenstrom.org/downloads/written/word_studies/greek/anthropopathism.pdf
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Are you aware of any other "Examples of anthropopathisms" in the Word of God?
Originally posted by Grampy BobbySo you're saying that when God is shown to have human emotions, it's meant to be taken figuratively, and not literally?
[b]Anthropopathism
"A. An anthropopathism is language of accomodation through which infinite God reveals Himself to the finite man.
B. Anthopopathism is derived from the Greek:
1. Anthropos (a&nqrwpo$ ), “man.”
2. Pathos (pavqo$ ), “an inner function of the soul with overt manifestations.”
C. Anthropopathisms ascribe to God human characteri ...[text shortened]... _______________
Are you aware of any other "Examples of anthropopathisms" in the Word of God?[/b]
Originally posted by rwingett"C. Anthropopathisms ascribe to God human characteristics which He does not have, in order to explain God’s policy or viewpoint to us in terms of human attitudes." (OP)
So you're saying that when God is shown to have human emotions, it's meant to be taken figuratively, and not literally?
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An "Anthropopathism" merely represents one word within a sentence which represents language of accommodation.
Originally posted by Grampy BobbyUh huh. But these particular anthropopathistic words...they're meant to be figuratively, and not literally. Correct?
"C. Anthropopathisms ascribe to God human characteristics which He does not have, in order to explain God’s policy or viewpoint to us in terms of human attitudes." (OP)
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An "Anthropopathism" merely represents one word within a sentence which represents language of accommodation.