Images of God: A Comparative Reflection

In this short essay, I will attempt to show how three people from very different backgrounds and time periods can see God in multiple different ways. The biggest challenge I will face in this comparison is identifying my own true image of God. I will be analyzing how St. Augustine, Martin Buber, and I see images of God. In the end, it is my goal to paint a picture of three distinct images of God with the same overarching vision.

St. Augustine's Image of God

My perception of Augustine is that he sees God as the end-all-be-all, all-encompassing, the one and the only. Augustine views God as the universal presence that is in everything and everywhere. His transformation from a non-believer to a believer in Christ had a profound impact on his outlook on life. For much of his life, Augustine struggled with understanding God and the existence of evil in the world.

He eventually concluded that evil exists due to the gift of freewill given to humanity by God. Augustine believed that the evil in the world was a result of our corruptible nature, not the creation of God. He held that God was perfect, and it was humanity that introduced evil into the world. This understanding of freewill paints Augustine's image of God as a guiding force, leaving us to make decisions aligned with His wishes.

Martin Buber's Image of God

Martin Buber offers fascinating and profound insights into his vision of God. While Buber apparently believed in God as the creator, his writings suggest a more personal and relational aspect of God—an entity that resides within each of us. Buber emphasized reverence and direct communication with God, adding complexity to understanding his image of the divine.

When considering Buber's views on evil, it becomes clearer how he perceives God. Buber proposed that Satan was not opposed to God but simply made "no decision" to follow Him. This leads me to conclude that Buber viewed God as the creator and that evil was not created by God but rather is the absence of belief or trust in God.

My Image of God

I personally do not see God in every little thing. While I know God is omnipresent and exists in all creation, my scientific understanding influences my perception. For example, I know God created the mighty maple tree in my front yard, but when I look at it, I see the natural processes—fertilization and photosynthesis—that allowed it to grow.

For me, God reveals Himself through certain experiences, particularly through sound and emotion. The sound of a baby laughing encapsulates my image of God. Regarding evil, I believe it exists not because God created it, but because He desires us to worship and believe in Him of our own free will, rather than being forced to do so.

Conclusion

In summary, this essay explores the images of God as seen by Augustine, Buber, and myself. While our visions of God share similarities, there are nuanced differences. Augustine sees God on a more universal and molecular level, while Buber focuses on God’s presence in human relationships. I perceive God in emotions and creativity.

Interestingly, our views on evil align in some ways but diverge in others. All three of us agree that evil exists due to freewill. However, Augustine and I view Satan as opposed to God, whereas Buber sees Satan as someone who merely chose not to follow Him. This interplay between our images of God and our understanding of evil highlights the depth and complexity of these reflections.

Reference

• Martin Buber, I and Thou, trans. Walter Kaufman (New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1970).