Jealousy of God
The jealousy of God involes God's jealousy for his glory and for the faithfulness of his people. Erik Thoennes explains that both are related, writing that "God is ultimately jealous for the faithfulness of his people because he is jealous for his own glory." [1] He goes on to say that "God's desire for glory drives his constant revelation of himself in the lives of his people. He wants to be known, and recognized for who he is, so that he will receive his deserved glory." [2]
Mormonism seems to have no place for the jealousy of God. Instead of recognizing that God is jealous for his own glory, Mormonism posits three Gods who instead do not seem to care about sharing their glory. In fact, Gospel Principles, an LDS teaching manual, states that "Our heavenly Father is perfect. However, he is not jealous of his wisdom and perfection. He glories in the fact that it is possible for his children to become like him."[3] This fundamental flaw in Mormon theology flies in the face of clear biblical teaching. For example,
- "For my name's sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off." - Isaiah 48:9 (KJV)
- "For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another." - Isaiah 48:11 (KJV)
That is not to say that God does not do anything for another's sake (cf. Isaiah 62:1), but central to a biblical understanding of God is that his actions are driven by a desire for His glory and His praise. Out of his love and mercy He is gracious to mankind, but out of these attributes also come a perfect jealousy. "For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God" (Ex 34:14; cf. Ex 20:8).
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[edit] McConkie's view
Bruce McConkie writes in Mormon Doctrine that,
- To keep ever before his people the exacting and exclusive devotion which he requires of them, and acting on the principle of personification, our Lord uses the word Jealous as one of his names... among other things, use of this name is a complete refutation of the sectarian heresy (found in the creeds) that Deity is devoid of passions.[4]
The problem is that McConkie becomes distracted by the "sectarian heresy" (referring to Evangelical Christians) and fails to recognize the significance of a jealous God. Thoennes again reminds us that "...God's primary goal in human history, a goal for which he is intensely jealous, is his own glory and honor. This jealousy is foundational for all godly jealousy. God desires the fidelity of his people because he loves them, but ultimately because he is most glorified when they ascribe to him the honor that belongs to him alone... Human jealousy that is most like God's seeks his glory above all else." [5] Where is this in McConkie's short paragraph on God's jealousy? It is apparently absent, as it has been and continues to be absent in Mormon theology and life.
[edit] God according to Scripture
J.I. Packer, a prominent evangelical Christian, writes that:
- Were we imagining a God, then naturally we should ascribe to him only characterstics which we admired, and jealousy would not enter the picture. Nobody would imagine a jealous God. But we are not making up an idea of God by drawing on our imagination; we are seeking instead to listen to the words of Holy Scripture, in which God himself tells us the truth about himself.[6]
Thus, the doctrine of the jealousy of God is and should be rooted in Scripture. It is only there that we find a personal God who is jealousy for his glory, for the faithfulness of his people, all for the glory and sake of his name.
[edit] References
- Godly Jealousy: A Theology Of God's Intolerant Love, by Erik Thoennes. Christian Focus Publications, 2005.
- Mormon Doctrine, by Bruce McConkie. Bookcraft, 1966.
- Knowing God, by J.I. Packer. InterVarsity Press, 1973.
[edit] Notes
- ↑ Godly Jealousy, p. 32, ephasis added
- ↑ p. 33
- ↑ p. 302
- ↑ p. 391
- ↑ Godly Jealousy, p. 242
- ↑ Knowing God, p. 167
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] Non-Mormon
- The Jealousy of God, by Mike Taylor
