Yes! How tragic is this false idea that has caused unspeakable harm. It has made many people conclude we need to be like this “wrathful God” who is much more like Zeus than YHWH, and we have fashioned ourselves in his horrible image. We have embodied hate and rage and vengeance, all in the name of faith. It is inexcusable.
I even read this ideology in some pages of the scriptures…as I am learning, many of the writers were still so influenced by the ideology of paganism, where sacrifices had to be made in order to appease fickle gods, they themselves viewed Jesus’ sacrifice in this way.
May the truth about the Love of God for us all wash over our hearts and minds again and again until there is no room in our thinking for this kind of barbarism.
I think about the verse, “God hates divorce” in the same way. He doesn’t hate people for divorcing. He hates the hurt that it causes the family. Thanks, Amy.
Loved this. The image of Mary with Eve really impacted my heart. I'd like to know more about that piece.
When I contemplate evil, what continuously comes through for me is that evil is an absence of Love. So when we act with sin, hurting ourselves and others, in those moments we forget Love. Jesus is pure embodiment of Love. And so yes, He came to incarnate with us to give us pure unconditional and infinite Love. Something, that as we struggle in our wonderous human form, will always slip through our fingers won't it? But through grace, we can find it again and again.
I've been searching since seeing the image you shared in this essay of Mary and Eve, for the artist and her reflections on what it means to her. I finally found an interview and I just love the story behind the piece. It is simple and profound!
Thanks for sharing, Jessica! Looking forward to reading it. Even when I was struggling the most with faith, I loved this print. It's hanging in our hallway and I see it a million times a day, but I still catch myself staring at it at times.
So well written and timely for this moment in history when we can easily label other people as our enemies rather than the power of evil (and the evil of unbridled power) as the real foe to be opposed.
Thank you for this reading reminding us that what we've been fed as 'truth' is also what causes to people to recoil instantly at any mention of God. Humankind--let's be real here, mankind specifically has twisted many peoples' desires to even investigate the truths found in scripture. I'm so grateful for readings like this. Otherwise, I would still be one of those people loathing anything to do with God.
Thank you for your reply and for everything that you do to bring people together. You are a good Shepherd of God and remind me of the story Jesus told of the lambs. Some will recall it as the 99 and the good shepherd rescuing the one. May the Lord continue to bless you as you carry this message forward.
Right there with you, Zach, especially on your emphasis on a loving, forgiving God. Any 'wrath' we may see in God is confined to the harm done, not the people involved.
I would even take this a step further, though, and offer another view of the atonement. Rather than, '...God is doing for humanity what we couldn’t do for ourselves,' I would suggest that Jesus' death is an example of what each of us experiences, mostly unconsciously.
The sufferings and deaths inflicted by the powers of this world are real for all of us every day. What made Jesus unique was a) that he was conscious of what was going on, and b) that he was able to forgive in the midst of that suffering. That is the true aim of the spiritual path - to become aware at a deep level both of the harm being done, and to release the need to blame. Only in that way may we rise to new, wiser, more loving life, bringing others with us as we love them into new life as well.
Thank you for this, Dr. Krajewski! From an atonement theory perspective, I'm probably some combination of Christus Victor, scapegoat, and recapitulation. Sounds like we have a lot in common there.
That was important. Too many people are afraid of God because they've been taught false things about him.
Absolutely. How we see God directly affects how we see ourselves and others too.
Yes! How tragic is this false idea that has caused unspeakable harm. It has made many people conclude we need to be like this “wrathful God” who is much more like Zeus than YHWH, and we have fashioned ourselves in his horrible image. We have embodied hate and rage and vengeance, all in the name of faith. It is inexcusable.
I even read this ideology in some pages of the scriptures…as I am learning, many of the writers were still so influenced by the ideology of paganism, where sacrifices had to be made in order to appease fickle gods, they themselves viewed Jesus’ sacrifice in this way.
May the truth about the Love of God for us all wash over our hearts and minds again and again until there is no room in our thinking for this kind of barbarism.
Thank you for all of this, Anni. I am especially moved by your last sentence 💙
I think about the verse, “God hates divorce” in the same way. He doesn’t hate people for divorcing. He hates the hurt that it causes the family. Thanks, Amy.
I have a whole post in the works about this!
I’m looking forward to this. And if you need any personal stories of a divorce rescuing 10 lives and counting, I have one
Loved this. The image of Mary with Eve really impacted my heart. I'd like to know more about that piece.
When I contemplate evil, what continuously comes through for me is that evil is an absence of Love. So when we act with sin, hurting ourselves and others, in those moments we forget Love. Jesus is pure embodiment of Love. And so yes, He came to incarnate with us to give us pure unconditional and infinite Love. Something, that as we struggle in our wonderous human form, will always slip through our fingers won't it? But through grace, we can find it again and again.
I've been searching since seeing the image you shared in this essay of Mary and Eve, for the artist and her reflections on what it means to her. I finally found an interview and I just love the story behind the piece. It is simple and profound!
https://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/holidays/christmas-readings/mary-consoles-eve
Thanks for sharing, Jessica! Looking forward to reading it. Even when I was struggling the most with faith, I loved this print. It's hanging in our hallway and I see it a million times a day, but I still catch myself staring at it at times.
“For God so loved the world…”
I am lucky my kids’ preschool brought me back to church after I left a version of Catholicism based on guilt.
This is lovely and a great reminder to look for God’s love while knowing none of it will ever be deserving of it.
"For God so loved the world..." is such a beautiful faith foundation.
I feel lucky it came to me at a time when I could hear it.
So well written and timely for this moment in history when we can easily label other people as our enemies rather than the power of evil (and the evil of unbridled power) as the real foe to be opposed.
Thank you for this reading reminding us that what we've been fed as 'truth' is also what causes to people to recoil instantly at any mention of God. Humankind--let's be real here, mankind specifically has twisted many peoples' desires to even investigate the truths found in scripture. I'm so grateful for readings like this. Otherwise, I would still be one of those people loathing anything to do with God.
You are so right. The damage done by “monster God” theology is incalculable.
Thank you for your reply and for everything that you do to bring people together. You are a good Shepherd of God and remind me of the story Jesus told of the lambs. Some will recall it as the 99 and the good shepherd rescuing the one. May the Lord continue to bless you as you carry this message forward.
Right there with you, Zach, especially on your emphasis on a loving, forgiving God. Any 'wrath' we may see in God is confined to the harm done, not the people involved.
I would even take this a step further, though, and offer another view of the atonement. Rather than, '...God is doing for humanity what we couldn’t do for ourselves,' I would suggest that Jesus' death is an example of what each of us experiences, mostly unconsciously.
The sufferings and deaths inflicted by the powers of this world are real for all of us every day. What made Jesus unique was a) that he was conscious of what was going on, and b) that he was able to forgive in the midst of that suffering. That is the true aim of the spiritual path - to become aware at a deep level both of the harm being done, and to release the need to blame. Only in that way may we rise to new, wiser, more loving life, bringing others with us as we love them into new life as well.
Thank you for this, Dr. Krajewski! From an atonement theory perspective, I'm probably some combination of Christus Victor, scapegoat, and recapitulation. Sounds like we have a lot in common there.
This is literally what I’ve wanted to write about Easter and the death and resurrection of Jesus, but you said it better, so I’ll just share yours. 😁
Thank you for these amazing words of life!!!
The thing I continue to wrap my mind around is, why would God create humanity knowing we would be sinful?
(for the record this is not an argument against faith, just a question I find myself continuing to stumble on as I try to grow in my faith).
I have this same question.
I have always wondered this, too!
This teaching filled my heart with hope, Zach. I’ve never been able to believe in an angry, vengeful God.
Powerful.
Thank you Zach
This is such a gift! Thank you!
Well done Zach! This may make it to Easter Sunday... sean
Some days I’m still confused on why Jesus has to die. Couldn’t God just get rid of sin?
I do love how you go on about how God is love not hate.