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A Few Halloween Thoughts About Fearing God, Holy Horror, and Similar Concepts

10/31/2022

4 Comments

 
Christians often speak of fearing God and use terms like Holy Horror, Holy Dread, and fear and trembling, but I have never been comfortable with this line of thinking, and it has never made much sense to me.

Yes, I have had Christians of various stripes and denominations explain the concepts to me, and I understand that the fear of God actually refers to being in a state of reverent awe of his majesty and power -- a reverent awe that should inspire us to submit to His omnipotence in complete obedience. 

I have also listened to Christians elucidate on the reality of hell and God's divine judgement whenever the subject of fearing God comes up. 

I get all that. At the same time, I don't get it at all. More precisely, I understand the reasoning, but I have never experienced the *reality* of the reasoning. 

I don't believe God wants people to spend the bulk of their mortal lives marveling at his majesty and greatness. I don't believe God works to hold people in fear and terror. I don't believe God desires that man experience any sort of shrinking in His presence -- at least not spiritually. 

My intuition informs me that fear and awe are rarely good advisors and that overcoming existential and spiritual fear should be primary goals in mortal life for the simple reason that this overcoming is what *really* brings us into harmony with God. 

Note added: Terms like Holy Horror and Holy Dread also strike me as blatantly oxymoronic, incongruous, and paradoxical -- but not in the "hey, it's a Holy Mystery" sort of way. 

4 Comments
GunnerQ link
10/31/2022 19:42:09

Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom but not the end. The whole point of Christianity is reconciliation so there is no more need to fear.

But at the start, one must realize how badly he needs a Savior. There must be no hope of bargains or half-measures.

Reply
S.K. Orr link
11/1/2022 02:38:20

I agree. The idea of a heavenly Father Who revels in His children groveling and cringing before Him....I detest this image and consider it very harmful. It did considerable damage to me for a large portion of my life, that's for sure.

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JMSmith
11/1/2022 10:37:03

I believe that "fear God" means that God keeps his promises. To not "fear God" is to believe he is a paper tiger who is all bark and no bite (I know, tigers of any description don't bark). This is equivalent to "fearing the Law," which is not trembling terror but a clear understanding that lawbreakers will be punished. It is also equivalent to children "fearing" their parents, which is perfectly compatible with just and loving parents. "Fear God" is only scary if we presume that God is a bad-tempered tyrant with a drinking problem. Otherwise it just means that God is not bluffing.

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Lady Mermaid link
11/2/2022 01:58:53

That's a great way of explaining it. God is not a tyrant like Kim Jong Un of North Korea looking for an excuse to execute you. He is our Heavenly Father who longs for us to come home and into our inheritance as co-creators.

However, it's important not to tall into the opposite trap of viewing God as a big buddy in the sky who winks and nods at sin. In fact, Francis's new post on the proposed "amnesty" for the birdemic measures is a case in point. Too many people have used love and mercy as an excuse to never take responsibility for one's actions.

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