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Seeing God

2007-06-25
By

Atheists, agnostics, and those simply unchurched perceive God in a very different way from Christians.

Sunday’s sermon at the Black Rock-Long Ridge Congregational Church (North Stamford, Connecticut) was delivered by Rev. Dan McCandless. His text was Matthew, Chapter 6.

The picture Jesus gives us of God and His relationship with us is far removed from the impression held by too many people.

Some people imagine God as a sort of accountant who spends His time keeping a ledger of our good deeds and our misdeeds. Others see Him as an iron-fisted lawgiver who vents His anger to force us to submit. Still others see Him as a detached Creator who is no longer interested in us as individuals.

Others envision Him as a genial, white haired grandfatherly type, who is just a nice fellow who no longer has any real power to affect our lives. A sort of agnostic, scientific view has God as an impersonal force whom we can’t explain and can’t understand, but who is obviously there because of the orderly nature of the universe.

That is not what Jesus had to say in the Sermon on the Mount, in which God is depicted sixteen times as a father who cares deeply about each of us.

God sees us:

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4)

He hears us:

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Matthew 6:7-8)

He forgives us:

For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14)

He provides for us:

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matthew 6:25-34)

These pictures of God as a loving father emphasize the highly personal and experiential nature of of our Christian life. People who put their trust in God and seek His direction through Jesus Christ will tell non-believers that doing so makes a real, happy difference in their lives. It imparts a solid sense of purpose and meaning to life.

Non-believers scoff at this, even mocking Christians as mentally unbalanced people who “hear voices in their heads.” We should pray for them to experience the joy and serenity in their lives that comes from looking to God for guidance to do the right thing in our daily lives.

Confirmed atheists say that their reason tells them to accept life, indeed the entire cosmos, as a meaningless coincidence of random variables, that things and life just happened to evolve as we see them today.

We confidently proclaim the Gospel, knowing that even hardened atheists feel a deep-seated sense that something is missing in their lives. We wish them well, we wish them an eye-opening experience such as the Apostle Paul had on the road to Damascus.

Thomas E. Brewton is a staff writer for the New Media Alliance, Inc. The New Media Alliance is a non-profit (501c3) national coalition of writers, journalists and grass-roots media outlets.

His weblog is THE VIEW FROM 1776

http://www.thomasbrewton.com/

Email comments to viewfrom1776@thomasbrewton.com

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  • monkeyinthemirror

    Perhaps I should apologize as well. I rarely enter such online discussions precisely because even the smallest differences re religion often cause heated emotions. On both sides.

    Be careful about making assumptions. If you read my posts carefully, you’ll notice I never claim to be either atheist or agnostic. I ask questions. The more I learn, the more questions I have. I did say I no longer believe in the biblical god. I did not say there is no god. How can I? The point cannot be proved either way.

    Do not mistake belief for knowledge. The two are not interchangeable. I personally have found faith to be a poor tool for running my life. That’s my decision, and I do not force it on anyone else.

    I spent many years trying to reconcile the inconsistancies and contradictions. And while I no longer study the bible, I enjoy intelligent debate on the subject. I do not assume there is nothing left for me to learn.

  • S Baker

    MITM wrote: How can an all-knowing, all-powerful God be unable to communicate with us? Your response belittles your god. And the crack about “spontaneous generation” is so tired. Postulating a Creator just pushes the question of “How?” back one level. It still doesn’t answer it.

    It is a poor faith that cannot stand a few questions … or worse, threatens such behaviour with a fate worse than death.

    MITM — since your observation of the systems, including humans (ie chemical packages possessing self-awareness created by time and matter) and the complex world we live in isn’t enough communication for you to believe, let me ask you in what manner would communication from God convince you of his existence?

    What convinces you that only humans are capable of creation? Are you aware of the many miracles performed by Jesus in front of crowds of people?

    Should we be more like animals and join the ranks of the invertebrates, the non-human vertebrates and the microbes that are incapable of believing or even contemplating the existence of God?

    If you felt threatened by my previous post, such was not intended.

  • Squiggy

    amfortas, as you say, God did say ‘turn the other cheek’. If someone were to smack me, I’m supposed to do that. I’d probably fail this test, but that’s my weakness, not His.

    But…… He did not tell me to turn the other cheek when someone is hurting my family. And the perpetrator will likely be very damaged when I get through with him. Again, my weakness as a human. We’re not very good at being saints.

    But hey, I’m forgiven, as anyone else could be too, if they’d just ask.

  • sstratford

    monkeyinthemirror, Suppose you, as a loving father, built a beautiful big house for your children, but with only one door to enter it. There is no other way to get in. And yet your children insist on ignoring the door and trying to break in some other way. There is only one way to heaven, and it’s very easy to open that door and walk in. How much or how little a person sins has absolutely nothing to do with it. God is perfect and holy and will not tolerate any sin in heaven at all. That is why Jesus died–to wash away our sin with His blood. You’ve read the Bible, you know all that. Of course, the devil knows the Bible too and that’s why he can so easily lead people like you astray. And incidentally, God doesn’t send anyone to hell. He created hell for the devil and his angels. When people ignore God’s way to heaven, they send themselves to hell. Don’t blame God for what isn’t His fault. And to Amfortas –it’s not that God can’t communicate with “ants” (us); it’s that we aren’t listening to what He has to say. He speaks in many ways–through the Bible, through men of God, even through nature itself (His creation). You just have to pay attention. Not that I expect you to agree.

    By the way, I really am sorry for being grumpy earlier. God is very precious to me, and I get very steamed when He is put down the way you guys were doing. Still, you’re right, my bad attitude when I posted earlier is not going to help things. Probably nothing will.

  • mruffolo

    God rocks.

    Each morning while I journal, just before I ask for forgiveness for my foolishness, I praise God.

    God is love, consistently seeks the good for us without condition; wise, has the highest understandings how to live life; holy, pure good; just, decisions are consistent on relations to establish a standard; good, all positive attributes, such as, patience, kind, generous, dependable, and forgiving; grace, unmerited favor; and, truth, true and genuine, contrasted to false and unreal.

    My favorite bible translations are the The Jewish Study Bible: featuring The Jewish Publication Society TANAKH Translation and The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament.

    http://www.amazon.com/Jewish-Study-Bible-Publication-Translation/dp/0195297512

    http://www.amazon.com/Greek-English-Interlinear-Testament-Personal-Size/dp/0842345647

    Though I have a half dozen feminized bible translations, I rarely read them now.

    http://www.bible-researcher.com/inclusive.html

  • amfortas

    sstratford, my little digs are probably more tongue in cheek than totally rejecting. It is difficult making any criticism of a person’s faith without appearing insulting but no offence is intended.

    The major problem with the communication issue is that even though God and we may be as Human and Ant, God hasn’t said anything. At all. Ever.

    He is a very quiet God. Not a God of platitudes.

    Earthquake rumblings and the reported visions and voices in the head of this shepherd and that, even the second hand reports well after the event of what Jesus was said to have said, do not cut it as communication.

    It is the plethora of self-appointed spokespersons who need to shut up. There are just so many people who get their jollies from perporting to know the mind of God all babbling away with their own fanciful prejudices.

  • monkeyinthemirror

    To sstratford,

    As I mentioned in my previous post, I was a diligent student of the Bible for 7 years (that included reading the entire Bible 3 separate times). So much so, that 25 years later, I often remember more than most “practicing Christians” I encounter. That’s probably more a criticism of todays’ Christians than a reflection of my abilities. That said … yes, I got a very clear picture of the biblical god. That is why I belong to the Church of Reason today.

    As an adult of full mental function and capability, I’m quite able to discern between childish behaviour and mature. I’m capable of recognizing those with less skill than I, and those with greater abilities. Those with duller minds, and those with much keener intelligence.

    Should not a loving father set the example for his children? And can not even children recognize that example and follow it?

    So let’s look at the extreme example …
    Man Albert lives a full 80 years, and manages to sin very little (but he DOES sin – he’s not perfect). Yet his “just and loving father” will reward him with an ETERNITY of burning torture in an unquenchable lake of fire. Eternity. Millions and millions times those 80 years does not even scratch the surface. Cruel. Sadistic.

    Should not the punishment fit the crime? Does a loving father shoot his child for stealing a cookie?

    Amfortas raise good questions. You know what would really impress me? If you could provide thoughtful and intelligent answers instead of indirect threats (towards me) and blowing your top (with him). Sadly, your responses are like most Christians. Lacking in Reason or emotional self-control. Are you trying to win people over, or push them further away? I’m always willing to learn, but circular logic, indirect threats, and yelling Shut Up! does not teach other than what kind of person you really are.

    To S Baker,

    How can an all-knowing, all-powerful God be unable to communicate with us? Your response belittles your god. And the crack about “spontaneous generation” is so tired. Postulating a Creator just pushes the question of “How?” back one level. It still doesn’t answer it.

    It is a poor faith that cannot stand a few questions … or worse, threatens such behaviour with a fate worse than death. :)

  • sstratford

    And Amfortas, you seriously need to stop taking verses out of context. If you can’t see what those verses are saying in the context in which they were given, then just SHUT UP!

  • sstratford

    monkeyinthemirror, you said that you expect God to exhibit “far superior reason, emotion, and judgment.” But you don’t seem to see that He does. You believe that He is being childish and cruel sometimes, because you don’t understand the reasons why He does the things He does. How in the world could you possibly understand why He does anything when you do not possess the knowledge, the wisdom, and the power that He does? As S Baker put it, we are ants in His sight, so how can we ever be expected to figure anything out when it comes to God? Obviously you have never even tried to see God as He is, instead taking the world’s (and Satan’s) view of Him. He allows you to breathe, and you act as though He is cruel. I would hate to be you on Judgement Day.

  • S Baker

    Observation of the complexity of life, the world we inhabit, and the universe is beyond comprehension and to suggest the tinker toys that humans create by comparison is all about our species is ludicrous. Is there a plan for human creations, information created by humans for the plans, an industrial process that occurs by chance? Apparently, the concept of spontaneous generation still has its believers.

    Amfortas– I agree, some of the messages are difficult to comprehend but keep in mind the context of the day when such was written. Furthermore, imagine the difficulty that God, the creator of the universe, has in communicating with humans. Let me know when you figure out how to communicate with the ant on the kitchen floor and note the ant’s response to your efforts.

  • amfortas

    “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. (Matthew 6:3-4)”

    Do not set a good example. Don’t even let your kids see what it is to be generous. Or else.

    ?

    “For if you forgive others when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. (Matthew 6:14)”

    God’s mercy is contingent. If someone breaks into your house and rapes your wife or the kids, forgive them or you will be in worse shit yourself with God.

    ?

    “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.(Matthew 6:25-34)”

    Eat, drink and be merry if its provided and sit and wait if it isn’t. Why wash? Disease is a gift too. Think about your kids future? What will the baby have to eat in the morning? Nah, they are on their own.

    ?

    There are some very strange messages in the Bible. God not only works in mysterious ways but speaks that way too.

  • monkeyinthemirror

    I note that you only describe the God of the New Testament. What about the God of the Old Testament? You know, the one that demanded blood sacrifice. Or the one that feared what man might accomplish (Babel)? How about the one that caused 2 boys to be mauled by a bear for a childish prank? Maybe the one that flooded the entire earth? Oh no, you must be thinking of the God that punishes those he is unhappy about with an eternity of fiery torture. Why did you leave out these examples of a just, loving, fatherly God? :)

    Did you ever wonder why, as Man, and his civilization, matures, so does the Biblical God mature from the OT, childish, temper-tantrum driven God to the NT loving, fatherly God?

    In my youth, I was a Christian. I studied the Bible extensively. After 7 years, I graduated from religion to Reason. Yet I believe there may be a God. I have to believe a being far superior to me would exhibit far superior reason, emotion, and judgment. Such a superior being would not be childish and cruel. Such a superior being would have no need of praise from an inferior being.

    I find it interesting Christians often quote only the verses that support their point while carefully ignoring the ones the directly contradict it. I find it sad that many Christians believe good can only be accomplished by belief in God, when everyday evidence shows good done by “non-believers”. Just because Reason tells them it is better to build than to destroy.

    Yes, I do see a different God. My question has to be …why don’t you?

  • sstratford

    I’ve been a Christian for over thirty years and I’ve never heard voices in my head. God speaks to me in many ways, but never like that. Maybe I’m missing out, I don’t know.

    It always amuses me when people try to make God into Someone He’s not. They decide what He is like and what He will/should/has done. Or they decide that if they don’t believe in Him, He doesn’t exist, as though He’s a Tinker Bell-type being. As you have pointed out, the Bible clearly explains what He is like. We don’t have to make things up or decide for ourselves what He’s like. But people never learn.

    Excellent article, by the way!







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