Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
The speaker treats Jonathan Edwards’ imagery (“abhors you… crush you under his feet”) as a portrait that can distort God’s character; what criteria does the speaker use—explicitly or implicitly—to decide whether a frightening depiction of God matches “the face of Jesus Christ,” and do you agree with those criteria?
Another way to ask: He says Jonathan Edwards’ scary descriptions of God can give a distorted picture. What seems to be his test for whether a frightening picture of God matches “the face of Jesus Christ,” and do you agree?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
His criterion is Christological: depictions of God should be tested by what God is like in Jesus—“He that has seen me has seen the Father”—including Jesus’ compassion, willingness to receive sinners, and the angelic announcement of “good will toward men.” He doesn’t deny judgment or wrath, but he resists portrayals that make God seem to hate sinners and be eager to damn them.
- He asks directly after reading Edwards, “Is that the God that was revealed through the face of Jesus Christ?”
- He appeals to Jesus’ revelation of the Father: “Jesus said, ‘He that has seen me has seen the Father.’”
- He acknowledges Jesus had anger (with the Pharisees), so he’s not erasing severity.
- He critiques Edwards’ picture: God “looking at the sinner like a hateful, venomous serpent… ready to dump him into hell.”
- He contrasts with biblical/Jesus-centered imagery: “Peace on earth, good will toward men,” and Jesus attracting “prostitutes and the tax collectors.”
- He questions the logic of salvation under that portrait: “One wonders why… would bother to save anybody.”