"Big Brother" or "Abba, dear Father"?

The traditional image of a punishing God is often associated with justice and omniscience. The lecture questions our own images of God, their origins, toxic interpretations, and presents ways to develop a positive, fear-free image of God. The traditional image of a punishing God is closely linked for many people with the attribution that God is just and all-knowing. This can be comforting, but often it can also be oppressive or threatening. What images of God do we hold ourselves, and what are they based on? Which concepts of God can become toxic or risk being exploited by people for their own gain? The lecture and discussion aim to explore pathways to a positive and fear-free image of God.