Thing Quote by Eugene H. Peterson
““Left to ourselves we turn God into an object, something we can deal with, some thing we can use to our benefit, whether that thing is a feeling or an idea or an image.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Message of God, Eugene H. Peterson, 1998
Human tendency to objectify the divine reduces spiritual depth, turning God into a tool or feeling.
In simple terms: Treating God as an object limits true faith.
Key Takeaway
Recognize God beyond utility.
Themes
spirituality
theology
objectification
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- church teaching
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
anthropology
psychology
religious experience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does seeing God as a tool affect your worship?
- Can you experience God beyond feelings?
A Different Perspective
Reduces God to a personal resource, ignoring transcendence.
![“As a man is, so is his God; therefore God was so often an object of mockery. [Ger., Wie einer ist, so ist sein Gott, Darum ward Gott so oft zu Spott.]” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b23/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_god_as-a-man-is-so-is-his-god-therefore-god_1502803.jpg)
