I'm becoming increasingly concerned that the Christians, as a whole, are becoming more and more Deist in their beliefs, and it concerns me. I know many people who would gladly rationalize away events in their lives saying the the Lord can do anything He wants, and that no correlation exists between the events in our lives and our pursuit of Him. He can do anything He wants, but because of His nature, He must also do everything He says He will. This includes working in our lives, leading us, guiding us to places He wants us to be. This includes answering prayers (as long as they're not in direct opposition to His will), especially when we pray incessantly for something. This includes caring for us here and now, and comforting us when the enemy opposes us. This includes giving us wisdom (abundantly) about the why's and how's of directions we're taking or plans He has for us.
But the first step in all of this is believing that He will do all of that. Jesus could not work in towns because of their unbelief. And I believe that God's work in our lives depends on the extent to which we believe and trust that He will is actively working in them, and doing so for our good.
So, I'll end this with a few questions. I've read one blog recently where the author stated outright his belief that we're all on our own.How many of you out there believe that God is "hands off" in our times? How many of you believe that? And why? And if you were showed that the Bible says contrary, would you believe it?
But the first step in all of this is believing that He will do all of that. Jesus could not work in towns because of their unbelief. And I believe that God's work in our lives depends on the extent to which we believe and trust that He will is actively working in them, and doing so for our good.
So, I'll end this with a few questions. I've read one blog recently where the author stated outright his belief that we're all on our own.How many of you out there believe that God is "hands off" in our times? How many of you believe that? And why? And if you were showed that the Bible says contrary, would you believe it?
1 comment:
Brian -
So you're saying that the folks who prayed for the safety of their slain sons and daughters serving in Iraq didn't pray hard enough?
Do you believe that folks who prayed for healing for their loved ones who then died from cancer or other terrible diseases failed because they didn't believe enough?
I think the real problem with modern Christianity (especially of the type in America) is the idea that we're supposed to be protected, healthy, secure, well-fed and comfortable - so we've developed a theology that defends seeking these things at all costs and legitimizes praying for God to give us these things.
The problem is that we have no evidence that God intervenes in these ways when we ask him.
Yes, praying for guidance, for wisdom, for personal transformation - all of this we can speak to and, I believe, expect. But all of our experience and all evidence points to the fact that God doesn't respond to our prayers for healing or safety or miraculous intervention. He may well (and, I believe, does) intervene and act in our lives, but according to His purposes - not according to our wishes.
If we hold the belief that God will act supernaturally at the behest of our prayers, it becomes a crushing burden to our faith - because it makes no sense, in light of God's character and righteousness - that he would intervene to help me pass a college exam, while denying or ignoring the prayer of an African mother for the life or her children as they are slaughtered before her eyes.
A theology that supports a claim like that could only be upheld in a country that is insanely wealthy and insulated from the pain, suffering, injustice and poverty of our world.
Is God hands off? Absolutely not. Does God act in anything like the way Western fundamentalist Christians think he does? Absolutely not. Does God have as a priority my personal happiness and comfort? Absolutely not. Does God care first and foremost about the redemption of all people in all places and all times - not just wealthy Americans? Yes.
(Also, to be fair, you should note that regarding my comment about being "on our own", I clarified in the comments that that was hyperbole and I further explained how I'd meant the phrase and how I believe God was and is engaged with our lives.)
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