NN

To TL (comment # 10);
I think this is what you are looking for (http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/definitionlookup?redirect=true)

Of course my question has lots of negative connotations – it has exactly the same negative connotations of the question you asked. I asked the question to highlight the mode of thinking that leads to these negative connotations. The mode of thinking so natural to this world that gives ‘used’ a soiled connotation. Does God “use” us? Certainly! (e.g. Rom 9:21) – Is this a bad thing? or detrimental to us that are His? – of course not.

The rest of your argument (that God is “above authority”) has no logical meaning whatsoever. God Himself speaks of His authority and power over all things and particularly over His people (Matt 9:6, Matt 28:18, Rom 9:21, Jhn 19:11, Col 2:10, etc.). As He declares these things, we are in no position to decide that He used the wrong word.

Lastly, Paul seemed to think that the marriage relationship does reflect the relationship of Christ and the Church (Eph 5:22-33). I think I’ll go with Paul on this one…
Though this is not to say that we always reflect the Truth in our own earthly lives. Whatever our lives say “We cannot shut up about the gospel, we may be e telling the truth about Jesus or telling a lie about Jesus but he is always, always talking about Jesus.”