God With Us?

Roanoke Times Article #2

(bold indicates section that appears in the Roanoke Times)

Often we have this view of God as if he is like us.  Historically, this is most blatantly revealed through the supposed “gods” of Greek Mythology.  These gods fought among themselves, were vindictive, powerful, and highly selfish.  They were often jealous of one another, were sexually unfaithful to their spouses (including having sexual relationships with humans as it so pleased them), and ruled others through fear.  Interesting enough, when we read of these Greek gods, there is something internal to us that desires them to be just, fair, generous, and forgiving.  It is probably why we like Clark Kent (i.e., Superman) so much.  He is kind of like a good Greek god.

(the below section is the continuation of the above article)

However, this is backwards if we assume that the Holy Scriptures are reliable (yes, this is a big IF for many, but please hear me out).  It is we humans who are made in God’s image, not vice-versa.  It is not that God has treated us badly, but it was humanity in the beginning who despised his gifts and desired to replace him on the throne.  A historic Christian reading of the scriptures tells us that humanity is born wanting to replace him on his throne to this day.

YET, this God did not destroy or remove himself completely from humanity.  Several times in our early history, humanity came close to destroying itself, but God intervened to prevent this.  Most people at this time had NO INTEREST in knowing God, yet he intervened just the same.  He was able to have a relationship with the few while the many preferred their own ways, which included ultimate and final death.

In our westernized individualistic viewpoint, we see God as having something personal against us.   We see God as someone who can’t wait to punish and reject us.  So when we do listen to some Christians speak (and there are a lot of ignorant, vapid, and self-informed “talking heads” out there who claim to speak for all Christians) we find our perceptions reinforced.  If we have read some of the scripture passages where God’s holiness and judgment are revealed, we may be tempted to jump to the conclusions that we truly want to find (psychologists call this a “self-fulfilling prophecy”).

But, when we take this approach are we revealing our bias?  How does one get an honest picture of the God of Historic Christianity as revealed in the Holy Scriptures handed down over a 4,000 year period through faithful communities of people?  How does one grasp the idea of a loving God, but yet a God beyond our understanding, control, and description?

I suggest that instead of viewing God as disinterested or vindictive, the scriptures reveal a God who chose to stay engaged with the human world when it was not required of him.  I suggest that because of the rebellion of mankind there is now a cloud of rebellion and judgment that covers the entirety of the created order, but God remains connected to humanity and the creation.  He does not try to control or manipulate the will of mankind but has a plan to engage mankind with a redemption that could only come from his very being.

This is where Jesus Christ enters into the picture.  Jesus, being God’s son, came as God but took on the form of flesh.  The God of the universe, creator, and Lord…not a superhuman like Clark Kent, but very God of very God….took on humanity so that we might know salvation and a restored relationship with God.

What kind of God puts in that kind of effort, embraces that kind of humility, and gives up the glory of being infinite and unlimited to live as a sweaty, needy, stinky, thirsty, hungry and limited human being?

This is the God of historic Christianity.   Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel which means “God with us”.  His is the true understanding and clarification of the holiness, justice, and love of the transcendent and holy God of the universe.  This is the same God who wants to save and love us.

Mmmm…maybe this God is more than we think he is.

The Disinterested God

Roanoke Times Article #1

(bold indicates section that appears in the Roanoke Times)

How can we believe in a God who seems disinterested in the troubles and horrors present in the world today?

Is God just an evil entity who enjoys ruling over and controlling his weaker and more vulnerable subjects?  Is God nothing more than a bored child on summer break, holding a magnifying glass while burning ants by the power of the sun?   In the least he seems absent and/or disinterested in human suffering.  What does God know of suffering if he seems removed from all of its mess?

(the below section is the continuation of the above article)

But if we hold to the vision of an evil or disinterested God, it reveals that we do have an awareness, some expectations, and legitimate hurts and disappointments with this same God.  If there is no God, then with whom are we angry?

Of course, what is often missed, is that every other human belief system (whether individual or organized) struggles with this same "problem of evil".  The reality is that we all (whether we are aware of them or not) have beliefs that shape and direct our lives.  We all have "faith" in something or someone; even if that someone is ourselves.

However, what kind of "god" are we?  How has a trust in humanity's "innate goodness" worked out?  Even if we, like some, blame religion for all the problems in the world, we don't really solve the "problem of evil" in the world.  If there is no god, this logically means that humanity is then to blame for creating the idea of a god and for all the religions in world history.  Did God cause the financial crisis?  Did God give corrupt and greedy corporate leaders the bonuses they did not deserve while most Americans have suffered greatly through a continually struggling economy?  Does God cause the strife and war in the world?

Often, the reasons we like documentaries, biographies, and tabloids about famous and influential people (who often have accomplished very positive or impressive things) is that we relish finding out that they are just as prone to evil and self-destruction as we are.  So, how has humanity done in controlling and ruling the world over the millenniums?  Are we enlightened and modern humans really doing a better job than the God we say we don't believe in?

What if the God of Christianity does understand what it is to suffer?  What if he does care?  What if by definition he cannot intervene as we would like him to do because he created us as human beings instead of soul-less machines with no real choice?  What if he intervenes and holds back evil much more than we even realize?  What if he really wants us to know a lasting peace, love and joy in this world and the one to come...instead of the empty and fleeting happiness we continually pursue?

How does the “Jesus” of the scriptures actually address these very issues?

We will consider these thoughts more in our next article.