Our thinking goes like this: If there is a God at all, He…
““Our thinking goes like this: If there is a God at all, He is certainly not holy. If He is perchance holy, He is not just. Even if He is both holy and just, we need not fear because His love and mercy override His holy justice. If we can stomach His holy and just character, we can rest in one thing: He cannot possess wrath. If we think soberly for five seconds, we must see our error. If God is holy at all, if God has an ounce of justice in His character, indeed if God exists as God, how could He possibly be anything else but angry with us? We violate His holiness; we insult His justice; we make light of His grace. These things can hardly please Him.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage argues that if God possesses both holiness and justice, His love and mercy outweigh wrath, suggesting we should not fear divine anger.
In simple terms: God’s love and mercy dominate over wrath.
Key Takeaway
Trust in divine mercy, not fear.
Themes
theology
divine nature
justice
holiness
mercy
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
theological
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal prayer
- theological study
- ethical reflection
Key Concepts
theodicy
divine attributes
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emphasizing mercy affect moral responsibility?
- Can justice exist without wrath?
A Different Perspective
Some traditions view divine wrath as essential; this view may downplay accountability.