The problem is that this kind of religion, (see
yesterday’s blog) leads to spiritual
manipulation; looking for loopholes and ways to get around God which arise out
of a pitifully small picture of God. The kids actually think they can outsmart
God. “If we just keep God’s attention on the apples, He’ll forget about the
cookies.” A fairly naïve and misguided belief.
No wonder nonreligious people have such a difficult time with
religion. It appears so inauthentic, incongruent, negative, and at best,
forced. They see religion as a human device to manipulate God or control God or
create God into one’s own image. And on the flip side, they see religion as something
powerful people use to manipulate and control other people in order to get
their own way. Either option is distasteful and crude.
Ironically, this self-centered view of God has been used by
Christians in talking about Jesus as the Savior and Son of God. Jesus is used
as a form of manipulation with God. “Get God focused on Jesus and He’ll forget
about us. Then we’ll stand a chance in the End.” The idea is, if God is
watching the “apple” (Jesus) He can’t see the “cookies” (us). So just make sure
you put the apple on God’s desk whenever you can (i.e. pray in Jesus’ name, use
Jesus’ name as often as possible, believe that Jesus is your intercessor or
advocate before God, that God doesn’t accept you unless you’re “in Jesus,” that
when you come to God in Jesus’ name, God doesn’t see you, He sees only Jesus,
so you’re acceptable to God that way, not on your own). Do whatever it takes to
get God’s attention off you (if you want to stand a chance in the end). Or “wow”
God with how good you are; get Him focused on your “Jesus-like” good works and
performance so He doesn’t see the you inside, the “real” you. Either way, it’s
all about using Jesus to distract God.
(continued)
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