One of the major reasons people don’t like the idea of God is because it stops you from being the “main character” and gives it to someone else. The idea of giving someone else the reins, handing your life over to someone/something else, not only can seem stupid but also unfair. Who on earth does that god think they are to ask us to hand over to them?
That question comes from both a logically and emotionally understandable place.
Definitions:
Pride: An inflated view of self
Humility: An appropriate acknowledgement and realistic self-assessment
Note: this is not a definition of humility or pride acted out but more the heart attitude behind it. Someone could view themself appropriately and realistically but act out of those bounds.
So for God to be prideful, or egotistical, he must have an inflated view of himself. But how is that possible when he is the greatest high being, which it is not possible to inflate above. But instead, God is humble:
God made us in his image - makes us humans carry the face of the all-powerful God; that is kindness, not pride.
God offers praise to us for being obedient (Rom 2:29); our reward is in heaven, etc.
The almighty God humbles himself in interactions with humans - goes down to human form, speaks to us through the Holy Spirit, washes disciples' feet, etc.
Dies on the cross - doesn’t need explaining (most humble act ever)
Some people argue, but why is God described as jealous…
God’s jealousy is aroused when human beings turn creatures or false ideas into God-substitutes. Just as a woman would not share her husband with another, so God is jealous to protect the love relationship for which all human beings were designed. Jealousy is often seen in negative terms (e.g insecurity, feeling threatened). But if a woman wasn’t jealous if another woman flirted with her husband, she would not be committed to protecting that sacred marital relationship; we would easily see her lack of concern as warped and morally deficient. Similarly, we should think of God’s jealousy as noble and virtuous, to go against spiritual adultery (James 4:4), but to seek a pure relationship with us. Divine jealousy should be seen as God willing the best for his creatures.
But why are we called to be humble before God?
Above, I explained the first issue this question expresses. Why God can appear to be “egotistical” but it doesn't answer the heart issue many people have about why we are called to be humble before him.
To be humble is to know our place before God - God isn't prideful but is humble because he has a realistic view of himself; likewise, for us to be humble is to know our right place before him.
Worshipping God doesn’t diminish our humanity, but rather it fulfils it - To worship God is to realise our very purpose (relationship with God).
Richard Bauckham wrote: “ For a human being to seek such universal and eternal fame [as God does: “That they may know I am the LORD”] would be to aspire to divinity, but God must desire to be known as God. The good of God’s human creature requires that he be known to them as God. There is no vanity, only revelation of truth, in God’s demonstrating his deity to the nations.”1Bauckham, R. (2003) The Bible and Mission: Christian witness in a postmodern world. Carlisle: Paternoster Press. Bibliography → Worshipping something is natural to human nature, and worshipping God expands our minds, enriches our souls, makes us wise, and enables us to have a proper self-understanding. (i.e. to worship God helps us understand ourselves, as it is in our nature to worship God)When scriptures tell us to praise God, it isn’t God commanding it - the call to praise comes from creatures spontaneously calling upon one another to recognise God’s greatness. God doesn’t need our praise or compliments or flattery (Psalm 50:11); it would be pathetic if he did. Giving praise shouldn’t be thought in just terms of compliment, approval or giving honour. All enjoyment spontaneously overflows into praise. The world rings with praise; lovers praising their mistress, readers their favourite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their game. We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is appointed consummation. (that is paraphrased, C.S. Lewis)
This short section of notes was based on a chapter of "When God Goes to Starbucks" by Paul Copan. This can be found online:
- Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-God-Goes-Starbucks-Apologetics/dp/080106743X/
- Abebooks: https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780801067433/When-God-Goes-Starbucks-Guide-080106743X/plp
- Eden: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/theology-books/when-god-goes-to-starbucks/
And other providers.
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Bibliography
- Bauckham, R. (2003) The Bible and Mission: Christian witness in a postmodern world. Carlisle: Paternoster Press.
