Article September 9, 1972 Issue

Is God "The Man Upstairs"?

HELEN ENRIGHT

How do we get to know ourselves truly? By knowing God. Why? Because man is God's reflection, His image. In the Bible we read, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them." Gen. 1:27;

Misconceptions of God have been widely accepted. Looking at themselves materially, people tend to view God materially. Some call Him "The Man Upstairs"—as if He were a very large man, sitting on a very large throne. In addition to the manlike, material outline sometimes given to God, He is also given human failings, projected into godlike proportions. Men make small mistakes; God makes mammoth ones, such as the "acts of God" covered by insurance policies, which are likely to indicate colossal tragedy.

These beliefs leave people in a terrible bind. If God is uncertain, quixotic, what is man's life to be? It almost seems ridiculous to pray to a God of this nature. Certainly if God is given to moods, uncertainty, moments of joy and unhappiness, why pray? If He is in a bad mood, He will probably do nothing about your suffering; if in a good mood, He will probably take care of your problem anyway.

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