“Hey, Happy Birthday!”
“Thanks! Yup, getting up there. My body is definitely feeling it!”
“Well, everyone must answer to Father Time!”
I was listening to a conversation between two radio hosts. Of course, it was all pleasantries and good natured, but as I reflected on their references, I wondered, “What is this almost universal need to anthropomorphize concepts such as time and nature?”
Father Time. Mother Nature. Mother Earth.
These are only a few personifications.
It harkens back to ancient civilizations creating gods and goddesses that represented similar concepts. The ancient Greeks and Romans personified time as Cronus and Saturn. The ancient Incas referred to the mother earth and nature as Pachamama. Some pundits suggest that ancient humans did this to provide a rational explanation for phenomena they did not understand. Others have suggested that it was a way to elevate themselves to give some element of control over such events. Some of these same pundits also claim that Christianity is no different from these ancient religions that worshiped a pantheon of gods and goddesses. Christianity is simply mythology.
The desire to anthropomorphize abstract concepts is a distortion of the original Truth that God created. The Bible clearly explains how we arrived at such a state.
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Claiming to be wise, they instead became utter fools. And instead of worshiping the glorious, ever-living God, they worshiped idols made to look like mere people and birds and animals and reptiles. So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.
Romans 1:20-25 (NLT)
Christianity is not mythology. It is a personal relationship with God, the creator of the universe and us. God revealed His Truth to us, His greatest Creation. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to reconcile the relationship that sin had ruptured. However, He does not force us to obey and worship Him. This is not love. True love is a choice and an active decision to embrace one’s object of affection.
We do not answer to Father Time. We chose to love and obey our Father God.
Amen!
Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.
The Bereans Blog 