There are some troubling passages in the Bible that seem to depict God as an egomaniac. If one is not well grounded in theology, especially theology proper (the study of God), he can be easily derailed and turn away from the faith.
First, let’s begin with Jesus’ Demanding Love.
Erik Reece is writer in residence at University of Kentucky, Lexington. In 2009 he published a book titled An American Gospel. That May he did an interview on NPR with Terry Gross. In the interview, she pointed Mr. Reece to page 28 of his new book where he quotes Jesus from Matthew 10:37–39: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Erik Reece is writer in residence at University of Kentucky, Lexington. In 2009 he published a book titled An American Gospel. That May he did an interview on NPR with Terry Gross. In the interview, she pointed Mr. Reece to page 28 of his new book where he quotes Jesus from Matthew 10:37–39: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
Then she reads Reece’s next line: “Who is the egomaniac speaking these words?” And she asks him, “Would you elaborate on that reaction?”
Here is his reply:
Well, it just struck me as, “Who is this person speaking 2000 years ago, a complete historical stranger, saying that we should love him — who we are really incapable emotionally of loving — more so than we should love our own fathers and sons?” It just seemed like an incredibly egomaniacal kind of claim to make.”
Here is his reply:
Well, it just struck me as, “Who is this person speaking 2000 years ago, a complete historical stranger, saying that we should love him — who we are really incapable emotionally of loving — more so than we should love our own fathers and sons?” It just seemed like an incredibly egomaniacal kind of claim to make.”
So here is Jesus saying: “Love me more than you love anyone in the world. If you don’t you are not worthy of me.” In other words, “If you don’t love me more than you love anyone, you will never have a life-giving relationship with me, and the effects of that — as he says elsewhere — will be catastrophic.” And Erik Reece says: “That is an egomaniac talking.”
Does Erik have a point? Is Jesus an egomaniac? Those kinds of statements, as found in Matthew 10 and Luke 14 are typical of the way Jesus talked.
Does Erik have a point? Is Jesus an egomaniac? Those kinds of statements, as found in Matthew 10 and Luke 14 are typical of the way Jesus talked.
Erik Reece is not the only person to stumble over such self-exalting words. Others have stumbled over similar statements. There is no question about it, God and Jesus both exalt themselves quite a bit in the Scriptures and if you are going to benefit in any way, you must become a vital part of exalting God. Are you offended by Jesus’ exaltation? Then I am really not surprised. Such words coming from both the lips of God and Jesus are strong words indeed.
End of Part 1
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