The Perfect Accent

I think a lot about the concept of perfection.  I don't like it.  I tend to think that it is futile to describe anything or anyone as truly perfect because such a thing does not really exist.

I've been studying the Hebrew prophets and today I was wondering what it would be like to literally hear the voice of God.  What would he sound like?  If God ever speaks in an audible voice, is that voice perfect?  Does he have impeccable diction?  According to who's standards?  Does God have an accent?

I say all that sort of tongue-in-cheek, but I don't mean to poke fun at God.  Rather, I mean to poke fun at the concept of God being perfect in the Platonic sense.  Plato's philosophy conceives of perfect "forms" out there somewhere that we can never realize on our plane of existence.  Many Christians seem to associate their inability to achieve or experience this kind of "perfection" with the sin that is in the world.  They think that our experience in the afterlife, however, will be a "perfect" one.  I'm actually fine with that as long as we're careful about how we define the word.  Here's what dictionary.com says:

1. Lacking nothing essential to the whole; complete of its nature or kind.
2. Being without defect or blemish: a perfect specimen.
3. Thoroughly skilled or talented in a certain field or area; proficient.
4. Completely suited for a particular purpose or situation: She was the perfect actress for the part.
5. 1. Completely corresponding to a description, standard, or type: a perfect circle; a perfect gentleman.
   2. Accurately reproducing an original: a perfect copy of the painting.
6. Complete; thorough; utter: a perfect fool.
7. Pure; undiluted; unmixed: perfect red.
8. Excellent and delightful in all respects: a perfect day.

I particularly like #4 because it brings the subjective nature of reality into the discussion.  What is "perfect" for a situation depends on that situation.  Even then, can we ever say there is only one perfect option given that situation?

I am reminded of Matthew 5:48, in which Jesus says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  Some of you will be familiar with the Greek word teleios, which is translates as "perfect" in English.  Teleios is an adjective that describes something that is complete or finished. It is used to describe a person who is full grown or mature.  In my mind, this is a far cry from what people think when they hear the words, "Be perfect, therefore..."  We think we have to experience or act out some kind of otherworldly existence.  Perhaps Jesus was just telling us to grow up!

Comments

[Just Me]

What a relief - As someone who struggles with "perfectionism" I enjoyed reading the definitions of perfect, especially 1, 4 & 8 as they are so much less than what I find myself trying to be - #2. On the other hand, I do think that God is "perfect" in all of the ways listed. Oh, and he's a bass!

[Ann]

Our LDS friends like to use this passage as a prooftext towards establishing their doctrine of exaltation - the idea that one day they will become like God and get their own planet to populate and rule if they have "fully obeyed all the ordinances of the gospel".
None of those definitions would suggest anything of a sort. As a believer, I would expect that when we are perfect, we are most fully human, i.e. we are what God intended us to be when He created us.
Only when we stand before Him, face to face, are all the imperfections of the Fall stripped away.
Philosophically speaking, I do not think that God needs to use language to communicate in heaven especially since we will then have the mind of Christ (could be telepathy?).
Hmm, I think I may ponder this over at my own blog.