Divine Transcendence and the Heart’s Journey Toward Perfection

The absence of human qualities such as heart and soul in the image of God emphasizes His absolute transcendence and perfection, which in turn has a significant impact on how believers perceive religious values and spiritual ideals. God appears as an unfathomable source of divine light and truth, devoid of the finite, changeable traits of human nature. This creates an entirely different guide for a person: since God cannot be described through the lens of human feelings and experiences, the entire responsibility for spiritual growth and inner transformation falls on the individual, who, by purifying and transforming their heart and soul, strives for divine perfection.

Thus, it is in the human heart that faith and the aspiration for moral purity are born. As noted:
"The soul unites the entire body, composed of many parts, and contains them in complete harmony, with all parts of the body helping one another..." (source: link txt, page: 289-290).
This idea emphasizes that the soul and heart are the primary sites of spiritual life, where the presence of God’s light is felt.

Since God is devoid of these human qualities, followers find solace and strength precisely in the development of their inner life. It is in the heart that they perceive and respond to the radiant presence of God, as highlighted in the following quote:
"The heart is the place where God's light shines: God... enlightened our hearts in order to illuminate us with the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ..." (source: link txt, page: 866-867).

The absence of human characteristics in God reinforces the notion of Him as an ideal with which a person must compare themselves and toward which one should strive. For it is through the heart that faith is formed, as emphasized in reflections stating, "Faith is a matter of the heart: 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul'..." (source: link txt, page: 380-382). Thus, a person sees in themselves the opportunity to compensate for the elements missing in the image of God by developing in themselves sensitivity, emotionality, and the ability to love and empathize. This inner striving not only creates a bridge between the finite human existence and the infinite divine perfection, but also forms the foundation for religious values and spiritual ideals, convincing a person that the path to the Divine lies in the transformation of their own heart and soul.

Supporting quotes:
"The soul unites the entire body, composed of many parts, and contains them in complete harmony, with all parts of the body helping, supporting one another..." (source: link txt, page: 289-290).
"The heart is the place where God's light shines: God... enlightened our hearts in order to illuminate us with the knowledge of the glory of God in the person of Jesus Christ..." (source: link txt, page: 866-867).
"Faith is a matter of the heart: 'Love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul'..." (source: link txt, page: 380-382).

Divine Transcendence and the Heart’s Journey Toward Perfection

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