This has been quite a long week. Driving from Noblesville to Knightstown to Brazil and back has provided a wonderful opportunity to listen to books on tape (Dungy’s Quiet Strength and Michael J. Fox’s Always Looking Up) and some good James Taylor.
It has also offered the opportunity to reflect. A question was asked of me this week and I’ve pondered the queiry.
Does the nature of God change? This is a valid question. The God of the Old Testament is jealous, vengeful, and at times, arbitrary. Thousands are slaughtered in his name. Plagues and pestilence are unleashed on those who do not fully appreciate his reign. And yet, he calls gently to widows. He comforts the orphaned. He leads his people into a promised land flowing with milk and honey.
The New Testament God is one who not only blesses his children but forgives transgressions and heals sickness. There are no plagues. There are no slaughters.
The God of today is another Being entirely. Distant. Quiet. Only present in the minds and words of religious fanatics and radical preachers who claim that financial riches and success are our Deity’s primary concern for his people.
So the question is a good one. The answer is a little more difficult. I don’t need to go back to the plagues. I’m happy with the healing. I could use a little extra cash. But who is God? Does he change or do we?
