ABSTRACT
Images of God are to some extent influenced by societal traits, but the connections are complex, as they involve human agency and interpretations. Based on classical thinkers, such as Weber and Engels, as well as on more recent empirical studies, this chapter shows several possible relationships between society and images of God. God can legitimize lifestyles, hierarchies, interests and so on. On the other hand, God can also be shaped by a critical reaction to phenomena in society, demanding social change or defending old values. God can even be given attributes and powers in a compensatory manner. Poor and lonely people can comfort themselves by looking forward to a time when God will turn everything upside down, God can mirror society, as when an authoritarian society calls for an authoritarian God, but the metaphor of mirroring covers far from all connections.
