As I developed my own process of thinking when it comes to Theology, I identified as a Calvinist. My best friends in high school were and I had many ideas and assumptions about God in that view. I want to go out on record to say this is not a post hating on Calvinism, because I am still reformed in my way of thinking to a certain extent. I still read many reformed authors, I JUST BOUGHT myself Charles Spurgeon's published sermon notes a couple days ago and say his preaching has impacted me more than anyone else's, besides the teachings of Jesus that is! I read Johnny Mac, John Piper, Tim Keller, and more. I also agree with many of the ideas Calvinists tend to give. But there is one thing that that keeps me away. There is one Calvinist idea I CAN NOT comprehend. An angry god. Notice I did not capitalize god, because that is not God.
The reformed movement started by Martin Luther, has changed the world in how we even think about God. Made famous by John Calvin and later in the US by Jonathan Edwards among others in The Great Awakening, Reformed Puritan Theology is the basis for what much of America believes in. I have been looking around the greater Indianapolis area and I am noticing all the Baptist Churches in the area. There are a lot of them! I also have noticed many are shaped by Calvinism. There are great, biblically based churches (mostly), but what in the world has caused us to think God is an angry god? Hebrews 1:3a (ESV) says "He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power..." This being said, Jesus is the exact imprint, the exact same as the Father, as God. Same characteristics, same outlook. He IS God, so in that way, we know who God is because of who Jesus is. Was Jesus an angry being? You could argue yes with the flood and plagues, and under a specific lens it is true, but through the lens of Gospel, it could not be further from the truth. Scripture tells us that God has always looked out for his people. That has never changed because HE never changes (Hebrews 13:8) God always showed love and mercy, even before and beyond the cross. Humanity is sinful, and God has shown that it is through the Law, but he has always made a way to honor Him and be in union with Him. For he CREATED us and he LOVES us. WE are HIS. Dying on a cross, God doesn't release his wrath on man, but man releases his wrath on God. If God were to be an "Angry God", he would have struck the men down, especially Saul. Saul, the murderer of Christians and destroyer of all things Holy. If God were angry, he would have killed him, but he showed love and mercy. Jesus himself comes to him. Showing him His glory and kindness. And that caused him to repent of his old ways and become Paul. Sound familiar? Try Romans 2:4. If God were angry, why are we still here? I know I mess up daily, but God shows mercy and love. For his mercies are made new every morning. He uses me to do his work, though I am far from perfect. Does that sound like an Angry God? Or does that sound like Jesus? Does that sound like God? I know that is the God of Abraham, of Jacob, of Moses, of Noah, and he is the Maker of all Creation. Rather than being angry for your sins, he wants to love you THROUGH them. And that is God. 1 John 4:8+16 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Grace and Peace to You, Dakota Lowe
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AuthorLuke Fuson Archives
September 2016
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