This is not the only painting he did of an old man whom he…
“This is not the only painting he did of an old man whom he called God. Since he painted these some 500 years ago, they have become very famous. Nowadays reproductions of these paintings are in many books. What might a child think who sees these paintings? This is just one reason why it is so important for us to tell you the truth about God. Whatever picture you see is not God. Whatever picture that might pop into your mind is not God. God, Who created humans, angels, and jinn is not like any of them. God is not like the soul, fire, air, or bodies. God is not light. He is not even a strong light. God created very strong lights which we cannot look at and God is not like them. Whatever a person imagines in his mind God is different than that thing he imagined. When we say imagine we do not mean the true things you believe in your mind, or the true things that you know with your mind. We mean that any image that comes to the mind is not God.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage emphasizes that any visual representation of God is inadequate, urging believers to understand God beyond physical images and sensory limits.
In simple terms: Images cannot capture God’s true nature.
Key Takeaway
Seek non‑visual understanding of divinity.
Themes
theology
imagery
spirituality
Mood
inquisitive
spiritual
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- religious education
- art analysis
- personal meditation
Key Concepts
transcendence
iconoclasm
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do humans create images of the divine?
- How can we experience God without pictures?
A Different Perspective
May conflict with traditions that use imagery.