1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Featured Human Emotions

Discussion in 'Baptist Theology & Bible Study' started by quantumfaith, Feb 14, 2013.

  1. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1
    I would love to hear some of "yall theologians and scholars speculate and explain why God created us with emotions. Emotions that are at times are so powerful and have great impact on our lives. Are they simply a natural property of the created? Are they intentional, for what reason(s)?
     
  2. Van

    Van Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2011
    Messages:
    26,913
    Likes Received:
    1,017
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Personhood has three attributes, intellect, will and emotion. God exhibits all three and each person of the trinity exhibits all three. Being made in His image, we exhibit all three.

    Many of us get emotional when considering protecting the body of Christ. Sometimes we go too far and behave like the ungodly. Thus we confess our sins and strive to be more Christ-like, meek but not weak, strong but not domineering.
     
  3. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    To glorify Him. I think C.S. Lewis hit it on the head in The Pilgrim's Regress and The Abolition of Man. Emotions are the reality. Solomon seems to agree: as a man thinks in his heart, so is he. It is with emotions that virtue is perceived.
     
    #3 Aaron, Feb 14, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 14, 2013
  4. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,374
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Don't we control our emotions by controlling our thoughts?
     
  5. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 10, 2004
    Messages:
    2,743
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think van is right as to the root reason: God has emotions, and so when he created a being in his image, he gave it emotions too.

    I DO believe that the way to change our emotions is indirectly, through changing our thinking. So...I feel Sad, So I think of something happy...I feel like God doesn't care about me, so I thing about the cross.
     
  6. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1
    :). that does not always work for me.
     
  7. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    When it comes to emotions, the tendency of most is to think of them as mere physiological responses to certain stimuli. Anger's not a sin, it's what you choose to do with it.

    The reality is that emotions are the acts of one's heart, and because our hearts are corrupt, our emotions are corrupt. We get angry unjustly with certain individuals because at heart, we are murderers.
     
  8. Benjamin

    Benjamin Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2004
    Messages:
    8,423
    Likes Received:
    1,160
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Emotions are part of the miracle of life for God’s creatures – from out of the Earth God formed creatures and gave them a soul with spirit, a mind and a heart, the ability to reason which lead to complex knowledge and desires, also leading to judgment in that knowledge between that of good and evil.

    God knew creatures with their own mind would willingly gain knowledge followed by strong emotion while we suddenly realized our weaknesses to know and understanding all things perfectly, our failure to be a god, especially to fully understand the greatest emotion of all - the infinite depth and power of Love which is needed to perfectly and righteous make judgment between good and evil.

    God, who is Love and Only Good, created other beings with the ability to share in the knowledge and glory of Love which could only truly come through them having to experience their emotion imperfectly – knowing both good and evil so the good could prevail through Love which God brought into the world from the beginning through the sacrifice of giving of His Own - Jesus Christ.

    At least that’s how I see it. :smilewinkgrin:
     
  9. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1

    I like it. I have seen many valid points and observations in the posts thus far.
     
  10. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2010
    Messages:
    33,374
    Likes Received:
    1,568
    Faith:
    Baptist
    So make the heart hard & indifferent in order to prevent hurt and injuries, and the absurd frenzies of emotionalism, and the humiliations and defeats such emotionalism precipitates. Therefore indifference to all external things concerning mankind is a most excellent impregnable armor. :thumbs:
     
  11. Aaron

    Aaron Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2000
    Messages:
    20,253
    Likes Received:
    1,381
    Faith:
    Baptist
    And dehumanizing. Like all corrupt human affections, they must be reigned in and disciplined, but they would not have to be were they not corrupt. That's all I'm saying. We would not be angry over personal insults and such were our hearts not corrupt.
     
  12. MB

    MB Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2006
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    262
    Faith:
    Baptist
    It may seem silly to you but like in star trek emotions have a lot to do with reasoning. With out them we simply would not care. With out emotions we would not have Love for one another. There would be no God because obviously He is LOVE.
    MB
     
  13. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1
    MB, I rarely consider something "silly" , however when it is cast in arrogance and a overly assured manner....that is when I look at as being silly. I am NOT getting that from you here. Thanks for your input. I agree with you, our emotions have a purpose and a role for us even in the "here and now". I had hoped some would discuss emotions of God....does He have them, are our emotions somehow a reflection of such an attribute in Him? Blessings
     
  14. Bronconagurski

    Bronconagurski New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2011
    Messages:
    790
    Likes Received:
    0
    I have heard some say not to be so emotional when worshipping God. Well, God has some strong emotions at times, and so should we when thinking about how He has blessed us. Notice:

    Zephaniah 3:1-20 (HCSB)
    1 Woe to the city that is rebellious and defiled, the oppressive city!
    2 She has not obeyed; she has not accepted discipline. She has not trusted in Yahweh; she has not drawn near to her God.
    3 The princes within her are roaring lions; her judges are wolves of the night, which leave nothing for the morning.
    4 Her prophets are reckless— treacherous men. Her priests profane the sanctuary; they do violence to instruction.
    5 The righteous LORD is in her; He does no wrong. He applies His justice morning by morning; He does not fail at dawn, yet the one who does wrong knows no shame.
    6 I have cut off nations; their corner towers are destroyed. I have laid waste their streets, with no one to pass through. Their cities lie devastated, without a person, without an inhabitant.
    7 I thought: You will certainly fear Me and accept correction. Then her dwelling place would not be cut off ⌊based on⌋ all that I had allocated to her. However, they became more corrupt in all their actions.
    8 Therefore, wait for Me— ⌊this is⌋ the LORD’s declaration— until the day I rise up for plunder. For My decision is to gather nations, to assemble kingdoms, in order to pour out My indignation on them, all My burning anger; for the whole earth will be consumed by the fire of My jealousy. 9 For I will then restore pure speech to the peoples so that all of them may call on the name of Yahweh and serve Him with a single purpose.
    10 From beyond the rivers of Cush My supplicants, My dispersed people, will bring an offering to Me.
    11 On that day you will not be put to shame because of everything you have done in rebelling against Me. For then I will remove your proud, arrogant people from among you, and you will never again be haughty on My holy mountain.
    12 I will leave a meek and humble people among you, and they will take refuge in the name of Yahweh.
    13 The remnant of Israel will no longer do wrong or tell lies; a deceitful tongue will not be found in their mouths. But they will pasture and lie down, with nothing to make ⌊them⌋ afraid.
    14 Sing for joy, Daughter Zion; shout loudly, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all ⌊your⌋ heart, Daughter Jerusalem!
    15 The LORD has removed your punishment; He has turned back your enemy. The King of Israel, Yahweh, is among you; you need no longer fear harm.
    16 On that day it will be said to Jerusalem: “Do not fear; Zion, do not let your hands grow weak.
    17 Yahweh your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will bring ⌊you⌋ quietness with His love. He will delight in you with shouts of joy.” 18 I will gather those who have been driven from the appointed festivals; ⌊they will be⌋ a tribute from you and a reproach ⌊on her⌋.
    19 Yes, at that time I will deal with all who afflict you. I will save the lame and gather the scattered; I will make those who were disgraced throughout the earth receive praise and fame.
    20 At that time I will bring you back, yes, at the time I will gather you. I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I restore your fortunes before your eyes. Yahweh has spoken.
     
  15. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1

    Bronco....Do you think God actually has emotions, or do we see the human side of scriptures writers struggling for anthro....sense and desciptions?
     
  16. Bronconagurski

    Bronconagurski New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2011
    Messages:
    790
    Likes Received:
    0
    I think God actually has emotions. Notice God's reaction to salvation: Luke 15:10 (HCSB)
    10 I tell you, in the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.”

    God was pleased with His creation in Genesis. Man was created in God's image, and God gave man emotions, so I have to believe that God has emotions. Jesus said if you've seen me, you have seen the Father. Jesus wept over Jerusalem, not just as a human, but as a Holy God that desired for the Jews to receive Him.

    Having said that, you make a good point because there are the scriptures where God is said to repent, yet we know He did not change His mind, but it's the best way man could convey it.
     
  17. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1
    For me, the "jury is still out" as to whether God has emotions. If so, they most certainly must qualitativley different than emotions to us creatures. The scripture you cited, seems to me to say there is joy amidst the angels, who similar to us, are creatures. I agree completely regarding Jesus's weeping, but it "could be argured" that this was a reflection of his humanity. Whatever may be determined about God's "emotions" we KNOW He is not controlled by them as we often are.

    I am certain that we would both feel similar, that, we dislike the notion and idea of people making decisions to acknowledge and follow Christ with "too much surrounding emotion".
     
    #17 quantumfaith, Feb 18, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2013
  18. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist
    What a boring world it would be if people had no emotion. Hmmm, if there were no emotions I seriously doubt that humankind would have lasted past Adam and Eve.
     
  19. quantumfaith

    quantumfaith Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2010
    Messages:
    6,890
    Likes Received:
    1
    I agree Crabtown, the world would in many ways be less interesting. I could not imagine living on "Vulcan". :) Do you think that this was a purpose for God to make this part of being?
     
  20. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Maybe so he would not be bored with we humans. [No I am not trying to be cute or sarcastic.]
     
Loading...