Where do you start if you want to learn about God? Do you start in nature? Do you begin with great philosophers of the past? Do you consider a poll of popular culture? Do you bring together the common beliefs from the major religions of the world? Most of us, when we want to think about God, start with ourselves.

There’s an old adage that says, “God created man in His own image; man has been returning the favor ever since.” There’s a nugget of truth in that statement.

Our pride has tricked us into believing that we are the center of the universe. The sun and the planets revolve around us, and what really matters is what we think, feel, and believe. We are the starting point for everything including God. Consequently, in most discussions about God, we assume ourselves to be at the center. We look around at what we like and dislike, what we deem to be good and bad, and transfer our opinions onto God Himself.

And that is the most ironic part of theology.

It’s ironic because with every other subject, we are ready and willing to admit what we do not know. We might not know how to change the oil, bake a cake, or assemble a bicycle, and yet in none of those cases, do we assume that we somehow have that knowledge inside of us. Instead, we look outside of ourselves in order to learn. To grow. To discover.

Except with God.

In this study alone it seems we assume that we, ourselves, are the source of truth. And in this study alone do we have this capacity of self-deception.