cairns

Another bad theology I have often heard in sermons laying out the case for a crime and punishment view of separation from God with its outline of  need for punishment met by the sacrifice of Christ in our place iff we are among the elect — is a statement that God, being holy, cannot look upon sin.  I have searched the Bible and found many verses to the contrary, but so far none supporting this contention on what the “Almighty” cannot do.  In fact the Bible often speaks of God viewing the transgressions of man.

I think the strongest argument against this silly view is attributed directly to Jesus in the story of the prodigal.  The types mentioned above always stress the need for the son to turn toward home in repentance.  I just don’t see it.  The kid is hungry and remembers that the servants at home are at least provided for, so he is thinking through an apology that will get him back from the brink of starvation, maybe as a servant.  I do not see any true “repentance” in the story.  And nowhere in the account is there punishment meted out, or compensation made for the family fortune and name squandered by the wayward boy.  (In fact believing this should happen seems more in line with the description of the older brother which Jesus seems to be using to ask the Pharisees whether they will continue to deny the true nature and commands of the Father!)

The Father doesn’t wait for punishment, payment, or even apology as He sees His son and proceeds to break the rules of decorum by actually running down the road to greet him and bring him home to a great party and celebration.

That just doesn’t match with a God sitting in heaven like a shaming parent saying, “I can’t even bear to look at you.”  I think I will trust the view of God attributed to Jesus in Scripture over the ideas of American syncretists.

peace

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