Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
The “asbestos suit” illustration mocks the idea that Christ’s righteousness mainly functions to protect us from “white-hot wrath”; what view of God is implied by the “suit” metaphor, and how does the speaker’s alternative (“I come boldly because the man on the throne walked in my shoes”) reframe fear, reverence, and confidence?
Another way to ask: The “asbestos suit” picture makes it sound like Jesus mainly protects us from God’s burning wrath. What does that picture suggest God is like, and how does the speaker’s other picture—“I come boldly because the King understands my life”—change fear, respect, and confidence?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The “asbestos suit” metaphor implies God’s presence is primarily dangerous wrath, and the main way to approach him is protective coverage—Christ’s righteousness shielding us legally. The speaker’s alternative reframes confidence as relational trust in Jesus’ compassion and shared humanity, while still preserving reverence because God remains holy and great.
- He reports the illustration: “the righteousness of Christ is the asbestos suit that protects us against the white-hot wrath of God.”
- He says this “leans toward” the penal substitution view: you come boldly because you’re “safe” behind protection.
- He rejects casualness and keeps reverence: not because God “doesn’t care about much… and we shouldn’t have holy reverence and holy fear.”
- His reason for boldness is Christ’s empathy: “the man on that throne walked in my shoes… knows what it’s like to suffer.”
- He grounds confidence in Jesus’ character: “a man of compassion… he didn’t turn them away… willing to stay up all night and pray for me.”
- He concludes: boldness is “not because of what I have… but because of who I know who he is.”