Bible Quote by Roger E. Olson
“The Bible portrays God as entering into covenants with people which, when broken, causes him grief and sorrow. The biblical prophet Hosea and God's using him as an illustration of how much Israel's idolatry costs God emotionally points to God's vulnerability. But also the incarnation of God in Jesus Christ who, even as God the Son, suffered for our sins, points to God's vulnerability.”
About This Quote
The passage highlights God's emotional vulnerability in the biblical narrative, showing that divine grief arises from broken covenants and human sin, yet also points to God's willingness to suffer for humanity.
In simple terms: God feels grief when covenants are broken, showing vulnerability.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the depth of divine empathy.
Themes
theity
theology
human‑divine relationship
Mood
contemplative
reverent
Type
theological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- faith counseling
- biblical study
- ethical reflection
- spiritual comfort
Key Concepts
covenant theology
theodicy
incarnation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this view affect your understanding of God?
- What implications does divine vulnerability have for worship?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations of divine emotion vary across traditions.
![“The greatness of our God lies in the fact that [He] is both tough minded and tender hearted. ... [God] expresses [His] tough mindedness in [His] justice and wrath and [His] tenderheartedness in [His] love and grace. ... On the one hand, God is a God of justice who punished Israel for her wayward…” quote by Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8df/martin-luther-king-jr-2-1523_god_the-greatness-of-our-god-lies-in-the-fac_549073.jpg)
