Glory

In everyday use, glory (from the Latin gloria, meaning “fame, renown”) means brilliant or radiant beauty (the painting was restored to its former glory) or a high honour or distinction gained from notable achievement (he died in glory defending his country). In the Jewish and Christian traditions, glory is used to describe the manifestation of God’s presence as perceived by humans.

Divine glory is an important motif throughout Christian theology, where God is regarded as the most glorious being in existence. The notion that human beings are ‘created in the image of God’ suggests that one can share or participate, albeit imperfectly, in divine glory as image-bearers. Thus Christians are instructed to “let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven”.  So to give God glory is not simply to praise God, but to exhibit the characteristics of God that you have inherited as children of God, such as love, kindness, forgiveness, etc. for all to see.

Glory is also a word explored by Roger G. Issac, in his book, Talking with God: The Radioactive Ark Of The Testimony, as one of several biblical terms associated with the ark that has either been mistranslated or not clearly understood over time. You can read about it on the web at https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-did-the-biblical-glor_b_905944

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