The title is challenging, if a person will take the time to think about it. Another question, which might help get to the point, “What is the philosophy by which you live?” To answer this question, it is necessary to understand the word philosophy as used in this article. The word philosophy means: the most basic beliefs, concepts, and attitudes of an individual or group”. Then, from Webster’s New World Dictionary (Second College ed.) “1. orig., love of, or the search for, wisdom or knowledge 2. theory or logical analysis of the principles underlying conduct, thought, knowledge, and the nature of the universe”. So, the word philosophy is used to refer to the way one choses to live, the standard, the source by which a person forms the beliefs, concepts, and the attitudes of life.
What does philosophy have to do with, or how does it relate to our question: “Who is your God?” To answer in the simplest way; the origin of one’s basic beliefs, one’s concepts of life, and one’s attitudes by which he lives, is the philosophy of this person. Now, here is the critical question: “Who/what is the origin of your basic beliefs, your concepts of life, and the attitudes by which you live?” Whoever, or whatever, answers these questions is your god (God). If one’s answer is, Allah is my god; then, Allah is the origin of your basic beliefs, the concepts of your life, and the source of the attitudes by which you live. If Zeus is your god; then, Zeus is the origin of your basic beliefs, the concepts of your life, and the source that forms the attitudes by which you live. If Aphrodite is your god, then, Aphrodite is the origin of your basic beliefs, the concept of your life, and source that forms the attitudes by which you live. If you are the origin (though no one is truly the origin of basic beliefs, concept, and attitude of their life) of your basic beliefs, the concept by which you live, and the attitudes that govern your life, then, you are your own god.
On the other hand, to the Christian, the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority is the God revealed in the Bible. He is the God of Genesis: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth” (Gen. 1:1). This God is the origin of the Christian’s basic belief, the concepts of life, and source of the attitudes by which he lives. This is the God about who John, the apostle of Christ, wrote: “No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him” (John 1:18), that the writer of the Hebrew letter wrote: “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, …” (Heb. 1:3). The Greek word (charaktēr) translated “express image” is very interesting; it means: 1) “the instrument used for engraving or carving,” 2) “the mark stamped upon that instrument,” and 3) “a mark or figure burned in or stamped.” It is easy to see what is on a rubber stamp by taking the stamp and stamping it upon a paper, and the mark it leaves on the paper is the “express image” of the rubber stamp. To look at one, is to see the other. So it is with “the only begotten Son” of John 1:18, “he hath declared” God in his own person. The Greek word (exēgeomai) translated “declared,” expresses the idea of “unfolding;” therefore, Jesus unfolded God before our eyes. Therefore, Jesus said to Philip: “… he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; …” (John 14:9).
Going back to Genesis, it is important to understand, the Deity in Jesus, as: “And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us …” (John 1:14), is also in the Hebrew word (translated) “God” in the first statement of the Bible. So, John wrote: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3). Therefore, from the opening statement of the Bible to the opening statement of John, there is perfect harmony.
To the Christian, the philosophy by which he lives, originates with the God of the Bible who is revealed in “The Word” which “was made flesh!” But, what does this mean? It means the Christian’s basic beliefs, the concepts, and attitudes of life, originates from the being of God as is revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who said: “All power (authority, FRW) is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matt. 28:18).
Therefore, the question: “Who is your God?” Our “god” (God) is the one who forms our basic beliefs, the concepts, and attitudes by which we live! Friends, who is the source of how you determine right and wrong; who is the source of your basic beliefs, the concepts, and attitudes of your life? Is it possible that you have become your own “god”?
— Frank R. Williams