We can see why you feel so strongly about this. The last thing we want to do is place unnecessary obstacles to belief in anybody’s way by using inappropriate human analogies to characterize our relationship with God. This practice, which is sometimes called anthropomorphism, is always theologically risky. If we’re going to use it at all, we have to employ it with great care. But while it’s crucial to use such language as judiciously as possible, it’s almost impossible to avoid using it altogether. Human beings are temporal, earthly creatures. As such, they tend to understand only what is explained to them in human terms. Jesus says that God is Spirit. We cannot see Him face to face with the eyes of the flesh. Accordingly, we have to learn to think of Him in terms of several different humanly comprehensible images-for example, as Parent, Friend, Husband, Master, Savior.
Marriage and sexuality can also be helpful in this regard. Used properly, they can serve as useful images of the believer’s relationship with God. They do, of course, have some obvious drawbacks and limitations. And yet the Bible often employs them in this way. We can see this in several places in the New Testament. Paul says plainly that the “mystery” of marriage provides us with a picture of Christ’s union with the church (Ephesians 5:32). And John compares the New Jerusalem to “a bride adorned for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). We find the same thing in the Old Testament. Several Old Testament writers describe God’s passionate love for His people not only as marital but even as explicitly sexual in nature (see, for example, Ezekiel Chapter 16; Hosea Chapters 1-3; Isaiah 57:8-9; and, of course, Song of Solomon in its entirety).
Naturally we don’t take this to mean that any of us has actual, physical sexual relations with God (as the Mormons say concerning the virgin Mary). That would be a gross misunderstanding. This is symbolic language. It’s always possible that some people may fall into this very trap. But we can’t for this reason disown the words of Scripture. Nor should we deprive ourselves of the richness of the biblical imagery. Instead, it’s much better to take the time to explain the real significance of these word pictures for those who may be confused about their meaning.
If you’d like to discuss this subject at greater length, don’t hesitate to give us a call. Focus on the Family has a staff of pastoral counselors who would love to speak with you over the phone.
Resources
What Every Christian Ought to Know Day by Day: Essential Truths for Growing Your Faith
The Faith: What Christians Believe, Why They Believe It, and Why It Matters
Christian Beliefs: Twenty Basics Every Christian Should Know
What The Bible Teaches: The Truths of the Bible Made Plain, Simple, and Understandable
The Bible Answer Book
Referrals
Christian Research Institute
Articles
Becoming a Christian
