When we understand our limitations, we will have to conclude that there are some things that are simply too wondrous for us to comprehend. God’s love cannot be separated from or dealt with in isolation from wrath and justice.Ī second way we can put God in a box is through creating or assuming knowledge of Him that He has not revealed to us. In the example above, we cannot accurately say that God is love until we have reconciled His love with the other attributes He has seen fit to reveal to us. When we say that “God is like” something, we mean that He bears a vague resemblance to it, not that He truly is the same as it. We ever need to keep in mind the limitations of language that we discussed yesterday – that God’s attributes are infinite, yet we can only define them by comparing them to the finite examples we know and understand. We need to study all that His Word tells us about Him, His character, His attributes and the ways He acts. We see then, that to avoid constructing this type of box, we need to know Him. People, sometimes deliberately but more often acting out of ignorance, ignore an aspect of God that they do not understand or are uncomfortable with. Most of the false views of God I have encountered are based on just this type of ignorance. Quite simply we do not know God as we should based on the information He has given in His Word. In the end this comes down to a view of God that is based on ignorance. We have put Him in a box of our own making. If we create a definition or understanding of God that overemphasizes one of His attributes at the expense of others, we have constructed a false view. But this is simplistic if we do not take into account God’s other attributes, such as His wrath. A classic example would be the statement that “God is love.” Of course this is true – God is the very embodiment of love.
Furthermore, we may also try to define God in a way that is simplistic or that is inconsistent with who He is. We have a responsibility to know and believe what He has revealed of Himself in the Scripture. The first way we can put God in a box is through our misunderstandings of Him and His nature. So let’s examine three ways doctrine can lead us to put God in a box. This should not lead us to conclude that the fault is with doctrine in general or with biblical doctrine in particular. So while we do not downplay doctrine, at the same time we must admit that it can lead us to place limitations on God. The Bible paints a clear picture of the importance of doctrine – of knowing God precisely as He has revealed Himself to us. There are repeated warnings in Scripture that we ensure we do not allow ourselves to be deceived by false doctrine. Paul exhorts Titus to “teach what accords with sound doctrine” (Titus 2:1). In Ephesians 3 Paul expresses his willingness to suffer for Christ, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death” (Ephesians 3:10). There are many passages of Scripture that speak to this. The Bible continually exhorts us to be sure of our doctrine and to ensure that we are walking rightly before God. In the Second World War, while millions of Christians were praying for God’s help in defeating them, the German army marched against nation after nation wearing belt buckles inscribed with the words, “God with us.” Each side in these conflicts felt God was on their side and that He was neatly boxed and bundled ready to be called on to wage war against the enemy.Ĭhristians can box God in just this way, even through their knowledge of Him.ĭoctrine is of critical importance to the Christian walk. The American Civil War pitted a nation against itself, with each side being blessed by the presence of some wonderful, godly men who felt they were fighting for the Lord. There is often a strange irony in war, where each side claims to be fighting for God. It is overwhelmingly tragic when humans fight against humans, destroying lives and tearing families and whole nations apart. The tragedy of the Fall is often most clearly seen in times of war. Sponsor Show Your Support Become a Patron
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