The Human Perspective Was Purposed

Anthropomorphism

noun

the attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object

Anthropomorphism derives from its verb form anthropomorphize, itself derived from the Greek ánthrōpos (ἄνθρωπος, "human") and morphē (μορφή, "form"). It is first attested in 1753, originally in reference to the heresy of applying a human form to the Christian God. [from the wikipedia entry]

It is always an insightful experience reading what the definition of a word is... and also read how that word came to mean today, as it was from its earliest known conception (etymology).

Yet, isn't the very reach in defining something, putting into words what the human's perception of what something “is” yet another form of anthropomorphism?

It seems the human being, by default, puts all of its ideas firstly through the mill of anthropomorphism.

It is the effort of looking at something objectively and not 'as' a human being ( if this is actually possible ) that 'may' somehow grant the observing human being a clearer picture of the world and its contents, as it is, and not as an extension of the human perception.

The video is an example of 'seeing' birds perching on wires as a piece of sheet music.

The man who beautifully put music to what he saw had previously learned to 'read' music as written on lines.

To a person not having a clue as to what sheet music is, they may see perhaps a different pattern, or something else, beyond the image of those birds on the lines... yet most likely attributing what they see according to their perception and according to their human experience(s).

Read about anthropological linguistics for further insight.

Herein is the point of this observational blog post:

The definition of this term anthropomorphism includes human beings projecting their concept of 'god' / God as, and as we've already seen, through their human perception ( according to what the human understands ).

Yet, is this actually a true statement considering all things?

As with many attempts to answer a provocative question, the answer is paradoxically “yes” and “no”.

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 

So God created mankind in His own image, 

   in the image of God He created them; 

      male and female He created them. 

- Genesis 1: 26-27

This seems to read that mankind was made in God's image, not the other way around as the man-made and man-perceived definition suggests.

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.  For in Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him.  He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.  And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything He might have the supremacy.  For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross. 

- Colossians 1: 15-20

It seems that the vastness of 'what' and 'who' God is goes beyond the visible, yet we've been granted a glimpse in Yeshua Christ, a glimpse as to what that 'image' looks like... complimenting the passage in Genesis.

No one has ever seen God, but the One and only Son, who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known. 

- John 1: 18

And this glimpse, this experience the earliest believers had when seeing, touching, hearing and walking with the One from Above; the anthropomorphism was not in vain as skeptics may criticize.

It is quite striking how the disciple Thomas finally came to faith:

A week later His disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them.  Though the doors were locked, Yeshua came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see My hands.  Reach out your hand and put it into My side.  Stop doubting and believe.” 

Thomas said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” 

Then Yeshua told him, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 

- John 20: 26-29

We who Today believe are quite blessed to 'see' without having seen the image... the very image and likeness we've been created and made to reflect.

Praise His Holy Name!