God

1. The Biblical God Had a Body

The God revealed in this book is the deity as his ancient worshippers saw him: a supersized, muscle-bound, good-looking god, with supra-human powers, earthly passions, and a penchant for the fantastic and the monstrous.

Anthropomorphic God. The Bible presents God in strikingly human-like terms, with a head, face, arms, legs, and even genitals. This contrasts with later theological interpretations that emphasize God's incorporeality. This ancient deity walked, talked, ate, slept, felt emotions, and engaged in physical activities, reflecting the cultural context in which the Bible was written.

Rejection of Abstract Theology. The book challenges the modern tendency to sanitize or censor the Bible's portrayal of God, arguing that this potent figure has been theorized away and replaced by an abstract being. Instead, it seeks to understand God as the product of a particular culture and time, shaped by the physical circumstances, worldview, and imagination of the people who lived then.

Uncensored and Scandalous. The book aims to strip away the theological veneer of centuries of Jewish and Christian piety to reveal the real God of the Bible in all his corporeal, uncensored, and scandalous forms. This involves disentangling the biblical God from his scriptural and doctrinal fetters to reveal a deity wholly unlike the God worshipped by Jews and Christians today.

2. Feet and Legs: Grounded Divinity

At this spot, where the heavenly and earthly realms met, the god was manifest and accessible to worshippers.

Divine Footprints. Ancient cultures often marked sacred spaces with divine footprints, symbolizing the deity's presence and connection to the earthly realm. The temple at 'Ain Dara in Syria features giant footprints carved into the threshold, indicating the permanent presence of the god within.

Feet as Foundations. Feet are not merely motors for movement but the foundations of our presence in the world. The biblical God is frequently concerned with the placement of his feet, transforming ordinary ground into holy ground.

Standing Stones. Standing stones, or massebah, were also used to mark sacred space and materialize the presence of otherworldly beings. The temple at Bethel, for example, was founded by Jacob, who set up a stone as a pillar and anointed it with oil, recognizing it as the dwelling place of God.

3. Footloose: Divine Mobility and Territorial Claims

In a world in which even the gods of other lands were considered dangerously powerful, these statues and their temple furniture are handled with a ritualized reverence.

Imperial Triumphs. Ancient rulers often displayed looted temple treasures as symbols of conquest and dominance. However, the Arch of Titus in Rome presents a more derisive view, showcasing the spoils of the Jerusalem temple as objects of derision.

Divine Usurpation. The Bible recounts stories of divine usurpation, such as the Philistines capturing the Ark of the Covenant and placing it in Dagon's temple. However, Yahweh asserts his dominance by causing Dagon's statue to fall and break, demonstrating his power over other deities.

Mobile Throne. Ezekiel's vision of God on a wheeled throne reflects the deity's ability to transcend territorial boundaries and remain present with his people, even in exile. This mobile throne symbolizes God's power and accessibility, regardless of physical location.

4. Genitals: Divine Sexuality and Procreation

This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised.

Genital Regulation. Human societies have long regulated the genitals, often through covering or modification, to manage sexuality, reproduction, and social order. The biblical story of Adam and Eve's fig leaves reflects a cultural anxiety about the public display of genitals.

Circumcision as Covenant. Male circumcision is a central practice in Judaism, symbolizing the covenant between God and Abraham. It marks the penis as a site of divine connection and signifies membership in the chosen people.

El's Phallic Power. The Ugaritic deity El's penis is a symbol of his creative power and fertility. Similarly, the biblical God's power is linked to his ability to bless and multiply his people, often expressed through euphemistic language.

5. Torso: Emotions and the Seat of Divine Power

By mapping God’s body, rather than the Bible itself, we can better navigate the transformation of this ancient southern Levantine deity into the God with whom we are now culturally more familiar.

Divine Emotions. The biblical God experiences a range of emotions, including anger, love, grief, and compassion. These emotions are often described in visceral terms, with references to his heart, liver, and bowels.

Temple Architecture. Temples were designed to be power structures for both humans and gods, reflecting the monumentality and iconography of divine presence. The Jerusalem temple, in particular, was seen as the place where God rested his feet and exerted his authority.

The Footstool of God. The footstool of God, often associated with the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizes his dominion and control over the earthly realm. It also serves as a reminder of the hierarchical relationship between God and his worshippers.

6. Arms and Hands: Creation, Destruction, and Divine Touch

By virtue of having a body, he endured as a powerful social agent in the lives of his worshippers across the centuries of the Bible’s formation.

Hands of Creation. The God of the Bible uses his hands to create the world, shaping landscapes, planting gardens, and forming the first human from clay. This act of creation highlights his role as a divine artisan and emphasizes the importance of human labor in cultivating the earth.

Hands of Destruction. God's hands are also instruments of destruction, wielding weapons of thunder, lightning, and fire to punish his enemies and maintain cosmic order. This duality reflects the complex nature of the divine, encompassing both creation and destruction.

Divine Touch. The touch of God's hand is a source of both blessing and power. He reaches out to touch his chosen people, offering guidance, protection, and healing. This divine touch transforms ordinary individuals into extraordinary figures, empowered to carry out God's will.

7. Head: Face, Voice, and the Seat of Wisdom

Sitting in that lecture hall, it seemed to me that this potent figure had somehow been theorized away and replaced by the abstract being with whom we are more familiar today.

The Face of God. The Bible describes God's face as a source of both terror and beauty. While some texts warn against looking directly at his face, others emphasize the importance of seeking his presence and beholding his glory.

The Voice of God. God's voice is a powerful force, capable of shaking the earth, splitting mountains, and inspiring prophets. It is through his voice that he communicates his will and establishes his covenant with humanity.

The Wisdom of God. Wisdom is a defining characteristic of the biblical God, often associated with his heart and mind. He is the source of all knowledge and understanding, and his wisdom guides the creation and governance of the universe.

Last updated: April 5, 2025