The Theology of Pottery

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I personally believe that being creative within the church or as a christian is essential and imperative for the growth and expansion of God's kingdom. I find myself often uneasy when a church or people disdain the evolution of creative peoples and resources within the church. This may come from a lost concept of the body of Christ and what that means. When Christianity is seen as a place, it is hard to escape that mindset and embrace the collaborative process that encapsulates the body of Christ.

In the early days, the body of Christ was made up of creators and creatives. History shows us that pottery and many other physical and creative trades are prevalent throughout the bible. Though, these references to clay and the potter are often overlooked and misinterpreted. God, the ultimate potter and original creative displays multiple examples woven within scripture that parallels his purpose and intentions to us.

The Beginning 

It is clear, that in the beginning with His own image in mind, God created. All of earth, every living creature was sculpted and created by God. God is intentional with His creation whether it is the complex geographical ecosystems or the intricate creation of the human body and functions that work harmoniously within us. This detailed purposeful creation is brilliant and beyond human comprehension. His art is the ultimate art.

The beginning of God's human creation began with dust and intention. 

Clay is often dug out of wet and undesirable circumstances before dried in the sun for use. Potters go through a selection and preparation process before even forming their clay on the wheel. With every piece that is made, there is planning for the purpose of the piece and what it will do. A potter may be making a pot, cup, vase etc. and needs to know the amount of clay to be used. In the same way, God is intentional with our purposes and directly involved with our creation.

• Jeremiah 1:5  "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you..."

• Jeremiah 29:11  "For I know the plans I have for you" declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

• Ephesians 2:10  "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• Job 33:6  "Behold, I am according to thy wish in God’s stead: I also am formed out of the clay."

It is important to remember that clay is made from dust, as is man. When dust is referenced in the bible it is common knowledge that this is interchangeable with the dust of clay. Man's body is frail and will return to dust in the end. 

• Ecclesiastes 12:7  "and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

• Ecclesiastes 3:20  "All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return."

• Genesis 2:7  "Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. 

The potter has mixed the clay and is ready to begin the shaping process

Shaping

One of the greatest actions of our God is his relentless pursuit. When beginning the shaping process of a vessel, the potter must being coning/ wedging; a process that relieves air pockets and stress the clay accumulates from being handled and making it stronger. The beginning of the creation process is the beginning of our sufferings though God "wedging" us is producing perseverance.

• Romans 5:3 "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance."

The next part of the shaping process would be to center the clay. This is the foundation of the rest of the process. This same concept holds true in our lives as well. A centered life with Christ is the foundation of balance that holds us together during every-day activity. 

The potter will then begin opening the vessel. 

• Psalm 119:73 "Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands."

All throughout the new and old testament, God is primarily working and focused on the inside of His creation. As the potter uses water to shape and mold their work, living water and the word are used to shape and mold and gain maturity through understanding. A potter works on the sides and walls of the vessel, watching meticulously for uniformity and perfection. We are unable to fix and mold ourselves, as we see in scripture in Jeremiah 18 as Jeremiah went to the potters house to hear the Lord's message. Through that passage as God explains that He will make a nation new like a potter to a marred jar, making God's overriding authority apparent. 

Masterpiece 

We are Gods Masterpiece creation. He knows everything about each piece as each though the same, are all uniquely and individually created with many different beautiful colors, shapes, and sizes. And doesn't the creator have the best intentions for his creation? To think the creation would question or deny Him who is in control is foolish. 

• Isaiah 29:16 "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”?"

In the end, God is in control of our lives, sculpting and molding us to glorify Him. Walk in the knowledge and power of a beautiful masterpiece. Embracing the potter metaphor in the bible can give a greater insight, depth, and vividness of scriptural teachings.

• Isaiah 64:8  "Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand."

Video is from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bs5kbLVDPZc