Broken People Quote by Brennan Manning
““The God of the legalistic Christian, on the other hand, is often unpredictable, erratic, and capable of all manner of prejudices. When we view God this way, we feel compelled to engage in some sort of magic to appease Him. Sunday worship becomes a superstitious insurance policy against His whims. This God expects people to be perfect and to be in perpetual control of their feelings and thoughts. When broken people with this concept of God fail—as inevitably they must—they usually expect punishment. So they persevere in religious practices as they struggle to maintain a hollow image of a perfect self. The struggle itself is exhausting. The legalists can never live up to the expectations they project on God.””
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Unpredictable God, 1995
Legalistic view of God creates fear, magic, and exhausting perfectionism.
In simple terms: Fearful God leads to exhausting perfection.
Key Takeaway
Embrace imperfect spirituality.
Themes
faith
perfectionism
religion
Mood
somber
thoughtful
Type
theological
psychological
When to use this quote
- counseling
- spiritual practice
- community worship
Key Concepts
Theology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear shape belief?
- What alternatives exist?
A Different Perspective
Such views can cause mental distress.
