Why We Defend The Insane Angry God

 

You know those old movies and TV shows where the “bad guy” would be holed up in his headquarters or “lair”  surrounded by his loyal henchmen.  Then when the “good guy” arrived these “minions” would start taunting the hero and threatening him with all the destruction their leader was going to meet out on the offending intruder.

The taunts were often quite comical

“Kill him boss!”

“You don’t stand a chance against Mr. Freeze!” (or Doctor Evil, or the Mandarin etc.)

“Look, he doesn’t look so tough now does he?”

Inevitably one of the minions would say something out of line with their evil boss and would either get a punch in the mouth…or killed instantly, depending on boss’ mood.

I remember always thinking, “Why are they working for this guy?”  How can they be so adoring and fawning over someone who values them so little?

But the answer became obvious when I grew older and understood;

…they don’t see their value!

They feel just lucky to be accepted into a gang.  A gang with a powerful leader who gives them some form of validation.

Recently I reposted a blog piece I had done on John Piper addressing the distorted view of God I believe he gives to people.  It was sad to see people, Christians, defending the big, bad, boss God in the same way henchmen taunt the good guy who enters the lair.

Rather than welcome the guy who brings Good News that they are free, they double down and defend the boss that, though a bit insane, still took them in and gave them a tribal identity.

When I have raised this issue in the past, the henchmen of the Angry God Boss always start with, “His ways are much higher than our ways.  Who are you to question God?”  And my answer is always the same,

“Well, since you ask, I’m his son!“

Henchmen vs. Children

See a servant or “a henchman” doesn’t question the boss.  And their position in the system is decided solely on their performance.  Say or do the wrong thing (like a henchmen from the TV shows)  and they are out.  A son and daughter are different however.  They can question, dare I say “wrestle” their father without reprisal…without fear.

I’m the father of two sons.  With the 4 year old we wrestle physically.  We roll, and grab, and push playfully.  I love when he gets a little passionate and pushes against me harder. Sometimes he even lashes out and hits me in way that is too hard.  But I’m his father and I can take it.  It gives me the opportunity to lovingly correct him and show him where the boundaries lie.  What is acceptable and not acceptable.   It provides the space needed to develop him into the man I trust he will become one day.

With my 17 year old I don’t physically wrestle anymore (thank God) but we wrestle…believe me, we wrestle.  Emotionally, psychologically, spiritually, and being 17 he pushes back and tests boundaries in different ways.

But he is my son and is free to question me about anything!  

And it’s the time spent with me (and their mother of course) that helps both my children see their identity as sons in this family. Their position is not less if they say or do the wrong thing.  In fact, it becomes even more secure when they see they are still held in the same place of esteem regardless.

In Genesis 32:22 Jacob wrestles with God all night and the result is he is blessed and given a new identity.  It was pushing and pulling back and forth with the Creator of the Universe, the Alpha and the Omega, that transformed Jacob into Israel.

Who he was created to be!

So when I see Christians defending the Angry Boss God it makes me wonder, “Have they ever wrestled with their Abba Father?”

Where does their identity come from?  Why do they defend the indefensible?  If they wrestled with God they would know him.

And thats why when Christians like John Piper try to explain how God would slaughter men, women, and children because, you know, he’s God and he can do that sort of thing I can respectfully reply, “No, he wouldn’t because I know my Father.”

Peace,

Steve