A nice concise 7 point argument, by John Piper, on:
Why God is not a megalomaniac in demanding to be worshipped
Let me know what you think :)
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Yes very thought provoking. I can't say I fully disagree with him but I think he misses the wood for the trees.
ReplyDeleteLooking at thesis two "Q 1: What is the chief end of God?". I'm no theologian and although the bible gives us glimpses I'm not sure it equips us to answer this. The the two greatest commandments... love God etc. and love your neighbour... I can firmly grasp.
So going back to his first thesis I would think that God is all about relationships and love not so specifically worship. Worship is a natural outcome of loving God with all our heart, souls and strength as is glorifying and exalting His name. God desires a relationship from all his creation and so that's why he needs his name to be known on Earth.
So this leads us to the second greatest commandment... to love others. Worshipping God not only strengthens our relationship with God but also acts as a witness to those who don't know God or the saving grace of Jesus Christ. Thus bringing them into a relationship with God.
However, this consequently means God is “worshipped with a white hot intensity”.
Hi Fiona, welcome :) Yes I know what you mean, I am not sure it is proper to talk about God having an 'end'. God's is the one existence that needs no cause, purpose, or reason, God just is. So God can have no beginning or end. But I really like what Piper said about not having a human-centred God, which makes our worship ultimately human-centred too. God is definately not just about making humans happy. We may start worshipping God because of what God has done for us, but we must end up worshpping God because of who God is.
ReplyDeleteI could see where he was coming from but I think it's a particularly contrived view. He seems to have just picked all the quotes that suit his argument.
ReplyDeleteI've been having a questioning discussion with my 4 year old recently about God.. in ways only a 4 year old can. Like can God see through walls etc... The whole concept that God is God... he's not a man with special powers.. was a difficult one. But to me it showed the simplicity of how we try to make God what we want to be, rather than as you've just said Jon, God just is.
Thanks for including these Jonathan.
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I am struggling a bit with the flippancy with which Piper makes some of his statements. The way he has described God is as a megalomaniac, so how can he then say that he isn't? God has provided us with the ability to discern righteousness from evil (even if we don't always choose right) and I find it frustrating when I see evil attributed to God but re-defined as good just to make it fit our concept of God. (I hope that I haven't confused you)