Job
40:1-14 Then
the Lord said to Job, “Do you still want to
argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Then Job replied to the Lord, “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
The more that I read
in this study on the debate between “Theism” and “Atheism” the more interesting
it gets as the issues, facts and assumptions are laid on the table in the open
market of free discussion. Sproul points out that all the atheist
psychoanalysis theories of the origin of religion differ in points of details,
but contain a common element of argumentation, the belief that religion owes its
origin and its sustaining power to psychological needs runs as a common threat
through all of them. There is no dispute that man has the power of creative
imagination and the capacity to turn his fantasies into theories or full-blown
religious systems. But the same thing can be said for atheism. The atheist has
his vested interests too. Remember that the origin of religion set forth by
modern atheist psychoanalysis theories offer no proof or falsification of the
case of “theism”. Though the atheist offers an interesting study of human
psychological means and motives for religious beliefs, they must also recognize
that the New Testament of the Holy Bible (the Word of God) offers some
interesting input about the psychological means and motives for “atheism”. A
man or woman burdened by serious guilt may want very much for there to be no
God. A man or woman wanting to indulge their own sinful desires at the expense
of others may like the idea that they are not ultimately accountable to a just
and holy Sovereign Creator God. The idea
of the wrath of God is not a popular concept. As stated last post: The basic
stages of man’s reaction to God can be formulated by means of the categories of
trauma, repression and substitution.
Job 42:1-6 Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do
anything, and no one can stop you. You
asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was
talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too
wonderful for me. You
said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you
before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I
said, and I sit in dust and
ashes to show my repentance.”
The first stage or category of sinful man’s reaction to
Almighty God is “trauma”. Trauma may be defined as “a disordered psychic or
behavioral state resulting from mental and emotional stress”. A traumatic
experience generally involves something negative or threatening to the
individual. The trauma is produced by man’s encounter with God’s self-revelation.
By Romans 1:18-25, God has revealed Himself to all men, but what is it about
Him that would terrify us so much and lead us into this exchange-substitute
process? Confrontation with God shocks and injuries man. God’s presence
manifests a threat to man’s moral standards, a threat to his quest for
autonomy, and a threat to his desire for concealment. Sproul states that
perhaps the five most significant aspects of God’s being that make fallen human
beings uncomfortable are: (1) His holiness, (2) His omniscience / all-knowing,
(3) His sovereignty / supreme domination, (4) His omnipotence / all-powerful,
(5) His immutability / never changing. God represents the invasion of light
into the darkness to which men are accustomed. Reformer John Calvin wrote: “in
estimating our spiritual qualities, so long as we do not look beyond the earth,
we are quite pleased with our own (self) righteousness, wisdom, and virtue; we
address ourselves in the most flattering terms, and seem only less than
demigods. But should we once begin to raise our thoughts to God, and reflect
what kind of Being he is, and how absolute the perfection of that
righteousness, and wisdom, and virtue, to which, as a standard , we are bound
to be conformed, what formerly delighted us by its false show of righteousness,
will become polluted with the greatest iniquity.”
Jonah 2:6-9 I sank down to the very roots of the
mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But
you, O Lord my God, snatched me
from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered
the Lord. And my earnest
prayer went out to you in your holy Temple .
Those
who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer
sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my
salvation comes from the Lord alone.”
Good studies take time, and this one is no exception. Let’s
pick it up here on the next post. Blessings.
In Christ, Brian
2 comments:
This human covering seems so comfortable at times that it is only when we are picked up by the scruff of our necks and given a good shake by the Almighty that we, like Job see what we really are.
UGP, thank you for the comment. The "human covering" is an interesting concept that reminds me of a facade or Hollywood set. There is a famous movie line: Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." It brings up the questions: Are we all actors on the stage of life?" I guess that the real questions is: "Who is the Writer and Director of this life journey being played out?" & "Who do we live for?" I'm glad that when we, in busyness and distraction, forget, He's right there to remind us and guide His children in paths of righteousness. Great point.
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