Don't Put God In A Box

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,247
3,587
113
#1
How many times have you heard this? When someone says don't put God in a box, aren't they really saying don't put God in the Bible? In other words, the box is the Bible.
 

Fundaamental

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2023
3,289
421
83
#3
How many times have you heard this? When someone says don't put God in a box, aren't they really saying don't put God in the Bible? In other words, the box is the Bible.
I've found it comes from people with a narcissistic personality to control people around them or a narrative

People test God and limit him. to there control or there order of putting things in order.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#4
wasnt He in the ark of covenant or was that not a box.
 

Lanolin

Well-known member
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#5
I have not heard this phrase, but there is a movie called The Dropbox, which I recommend seeing. Its about a Korean pastor who saves babies from dying from abandonment by installing dropbox or a baby box in his church. He then looks after them.
 

Fundaamental

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2023
3,289
421
83
#6
wasnt He in the ark of covenant or was that not a box.
yup and many times the Israelites limited God when he was in the ark of the covenant,

Maybe they thought they had God under there control at times
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
#7
wasnt He in the ark of covenant or was that not a box.
No. God was never "in" the Ark of the Covenant. His glory was always above and over it (Exod 25:22). Putting God in a box (metaphorically) is trying to limit God in some way.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,247
3,587
113
#8
God has put Himself in a box because He's a good and loving father. A father who never gives clearly defined boundaries and acts erratically and unpredictably is a tyrant.
 

Beckie

Well-known member
Feb 15, 2022
2,516
939
113
#10
God has put Himself in a box because He's a good and loving father. A father who never gives clearly defined boundaries and acts erratically and unpredictably is a tyrant.
His Box lets us know, if we bother to look in it, are what His gifts are. We can find out if preacher Joe is Godly. Are there NEW Truths? His Box is full of many things, wisdom and knowledge.

I like the comparison :)
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,400
13,746
113
#11
How many times have you heard this? When someone says don't put God in a box, aren't they really saying don't put God in the Bible? In other words, the box is the Bible.
No... what they usually mean is don't limit God by your own understanding and experience. Typically, it is because people don't know the Bible that they "put God in a box".
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
2,760
1,584
113
#12
If God is limited in any way it is self-imposed.
 

RaceRunner

Well-known member
Oct 13, 2022
1,576
289
83
#13
How many times have you heard this? When someone says don't put God in a box, aren't they really saying don't put God in the Bible? In other words, the box is the Bible.
What they really are thinking is that they want God to overlook whatever heresies they are choosing to and believe.
 

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
Jul 18, 2017
26,074
13,771
113
#14
If God is limited in any way it is self-imposed.
God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend... Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart. (Job 37:5,23,24)
 

Fundaamental

Well-known member
Mar 17, 2023
3,289
421
83
#16
If God is limited in any way it is self-imposed.
yup

Psalm 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. 41 They tested God again and again and provoked the Holy One of Israel. 41 Again and again they tested God's patience and provoked the Holy One of Israel.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
13,896
5,634
113
#17
How many times have you heard this? When someone says don't put God in a box, aren't they really saying don't put God in the Bible? In other words, the box is the Bible.
It really should be the parameter by what ch we learn and understand God within the understanding offered in the Bible’s pages because that’s the way God has presented himself to us by his own words recorded for all to be able to know and hear
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,247
3,587
113
#18
One thing I've noticed are a lot of people who complain that doctrine has become obsolete; it's a source of division and conflicts. Therefore, doctrine must give way to the Spirit; the Spirit must be given first place and the Bible second place. But to me this seems like a huge mistake. We don't need more "spiritual" chaos. By the same token we don't need false doctrine. What we need more than ever is to truly understand what God wants to teach us through His word.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,247
3,587
113
#19
Many doctrines are trivial but have taken on a huge importance beyond what they merit. Jesus warned the Pharisees about elevating trivial matters to a place of great importance and ignoring the truly important things. It's not hard to know what the trivial matters of our day are. They're debated here day after day continually.
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,774
624
113
#20
Well how you look at it.. maybe this helps "there is no spoon". haha. So one could also say its a lack of knowledge.

A false doctrine so many times is nothing more then a lack of understanding. More often then not we just have not grown enough to see that meat. But I have not heard that saying...for many many years now