We talk about God as being good, but then some of the things we say he does.... Well, if a human father was like some of this stuff we ascribe to God, we would call that human father negligent, abusive, nasty and mean. So I really wonder if we have our theology right on a few concepts.
The more I live my life outside the box, immersed in my Canadian "field", the more I realize people are wondering why we would call God good, if he is like what I am teaching? The more I have stepped back, we say God is good, God is love, but we teach from a set of lenses that make God look more like a big hateful, vindictive bully. Unless you step it up to please him, there is hell to pay. This cartoon and the list of the qualities of a bully should make us reexamine our words a bit. Are we really doing God justice, or are we showing him to be a big bully? Check this link out for the cartoon image.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/nakedpastor/2013/04/is-god-a-great-big-bully/
Here are some characteristics of a bully:
1. Lacks empathy for others.
2. Needs to control others.
3. Gets angry quickly.
4. Constantly reminds others of their weaknesses.
5. Picks on those who don’t comply to his expectations.
6. Makes others afraid through threats.
7. Uses physical aggression to intimidate and control.
8. Defies any who would share or correct his power.
We’ve probably all been bullied. It is a popular sport in school. When our kids encountered bullying, we would ask these questions:
1. Does he scare you?
2. Does he make you cry?
3. Does he embarrass you?
4. Does he make you feel weak?
5. Does he make you do things you don’t want?
6. Does he exclude you from groups?
7. Does he make you feel there is no one to go to for help?
8. Does he make your life miserable?
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