GINOLJC, to Naomi25, first thanks for the reply. second, U said, "Man, I've always hated homework!",..... lol, lol, lol... ok, I can respect that.. (smile). since U hate home work we'll work together to get the understanding of what Anthropomorphism is in relation to our God.Hi 101. I agree that we must be open to learn. I think that going into something bullheadedly believing in it's truth just because we were raised believing something can be foolish.
But having said that...just because I was raised believing in the Trinity, does not mean that my belief in it is wrong! There are very good scriptural evidences for the Trinity and a lot of the biblical exegesis has been done for a lot of years by people a lot smarter than I. And I'm afraid in my conversation with you, I will not be able to do those evidences justice. But I am happy to engage anyway and do my best.
I suppose this verse can be readily applied either way! Yes...to the truth. Which ever it may be. Glory to God in the end.
Man, I've always hated homework!
But actually, before we get to the the Greek (which I'm not great at), can I step back and just look at the passages that speak of Christ being at the right hand of God? Because in the English, it actually seems that the position of 'power' is the thrown itself, and Jesus has the place next to it. It's a place of honor. Consider these verses:
[64] Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” - Matthew 26:64
A Psalm of David.
[1] The LORD says to my Lord:
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies your footstool.” - Psalm 110:1
And then in 1 Kings 2:19 and Psalm 45:9 we have other examples of how being sat at the right hand of power is a place of honor. Yes, that is also a place of power, but the power comes from the one on the throne, the one who is handing the honor on.
We see in 1 Corinthians 15 that the Father has given authority to Christ and that at the end of time Jesus will hand that authority back to God the Father:
For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all. - 1 Corinthians 15:27-28
Not only do we see a distinct weaving together of a separate relationship between the two: Father and Son, but we see the roles. The Father is upon the Throne, and the Son is at his right hand, glorified and honored, but ultimate power and authority belongs to the Father. In this way, all members of the Godhead can be worshiped completely. All glory can be given to Christ for what he did, but that glory is also the Fathers, who gave his Son up.
My point is, I don't think we can just say "at his right hand" means Christ is seated in power. Well...yes. But....
It's the 'but' that gives it more depth. It is a place of power, but it's also a place of honor. Both honor and power are given. Hence the 'at the right hand' reference. If Christ were the Father, and all power and authority were just his, he wouldn't need to reference any sort of 'right hand' to let us know these things about himself. He could simply say, "he sat on his throne". But that Throne is for The Father. And the right hand is for The Son. Two distinct places...two distinct reasons.
Anthropomorphism: the attribution of human characteristics or behaviour to a god, animal, or object.
Nope. Sorry. Can't see how this has anything to do with anything!
let's start from the end first. U said, "Can't see how this has anything to do with anything!".
#1. our Lord Jesus is a sitting high priest, right. what do a sitting priest represent? answer his work is finish, Hebrews 7:27 "Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself". but as comforter he sits in power by "HIS" Spirit, whom he is GLORIFIED. now let's look at this power, using an Anthropomorphism concering God, our Lord Jesus who is the "POWER" of God, (see 1 cor 1:24). what is this saying about the Lord Jesus?, is not the Holy Spirit, as some say is the Power of God. well let's see what is meant here about the arm of God. ARM of God signify "POWER". let's see this used in scripture using this Anthropomorphism.
the king of judah was invaded by the kings of Assyria, 2 Chronicles 32:7 "Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: 8 With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah". what was this "arm" of flesh? king Sennacherib of Assyria, his ARMY. a nation military is it's power to fight. and this army is the king's "ARM" in battle. it's the instrument through which the king accomplish his objective. well the Lord Jesus is God OWN ARM to bring salvation, scripture, Isaiah 63:5 "And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore mine own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me". understand now an Anthropomorphism?.
next we will look at this "subjection under his feet" understanding.