Fantasies, Fallacies, and Misconceptions of God

Fantasies, Fallacies, and Misconceptions of God

God Is More Than A Genie In A Bottle

Imaginary beliefs are ubiquitous in the Christian church world and there is certainly no shortage of fallacies fueling the misconception of God. From the seminaries, the church sanctuary, the home Bible study, or the latest Christian publication, at some point, we are likely to hear unscriptural teaching that can delude our concept of God. But not all misconceptions of God can be blamed on others. Our casual and unattentive approach to reading God’s word rather than studying the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15) can lead to a distorted view of God. We are sometimes guilty of wresting Scripture verses from their context while failing to consult God’s entire counsel on the subject from Genesis to Revelation. The result of such laziness can lead to a flawed understanding of God. Even the most spiritual Christians can confuse unbiblical beliefs and worldly desires with spiritual truth resulting in a fantasy theology.

The Bible paints a very clear picture of God’s character and reveals His many attributes and qualities. Fallacies and misconceptions can occur when we become excessively or exclusively focused on a particular aspect of God’s character while ignoring His full and complete nature.

It is troubling to read, hear, or see God being characterized as a kind of genie in a bottle. It’s a feel-good theology inviting people to come and be part of a movement that has cherry-picked God’s loving attributes while avoiding God’s authority, demands, and unlimited attributes. No one is going to bow down and worship a genie in a bottle but only seek the genie for things to enrich their lives. The genie bows down to its owner. God is so much more than what is being proclaimed in some of today’s churches.

Now let’s be clear, God loves us and sent Jesus to die in our place and suffer our punishment for our sins. He established the church with Christ as the head and the born-again children of God as his body on earth. We have an amazing responsibility to share the good news of eternal life through repentance and forgiveness of sins. We are also charged with the responsibility of “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mat. 28:20). None of us knows everything there is to know about God, but it might be that we don’t know all we should know and understand about God. The gifted and anointed church ministers are raised up by the Holy Spirit to teach believers to follow in obedience (ouch, did he just say obedience?) everything Christ commands.

In John 3:16 we read of God’s amazing gift of eternal life through Christ:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

When we read the rest of the passage we are immediately confronted with the harsh reality that failing to believe places us in the condemned category which is destined for the lake of fire, Rev. 21:8.

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (John 3:18)

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Cor. 6:9-10 that ungodly people (those who do not repent and are born again) are not going to heaven even though the social trend is to pretend everyone who dies is in a better place—they are not. Those who are unrepented and not born again are headed for eternal damnation unless they repent and are born again.

Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men[a] 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

God is infinitely greater than the genie in a bottle image conjured up by our social gospel advocates. Yes, God is a miracle-working God and our heavenly Father, but he is also a God who demands (not suggests) obedience, worship, honor, and respect. The inhabitants of Noah’s day learned this too late, and so did the inhabitants of Sodom and Ghomara. Lot’s wife left her heart back in Sodom and God judged her on the spot when she looked back at the burning cities. Uzzah paid with his life for touching the Ark of the Covenant and was struck dead. Achan was stoned for the wedge of gold and his disobedience. Ananias and Sapphira were both struck dead by God and carried out the church meeting for lying to the church and the Holy Spirit about their offering. Disrespect of the Lord’s supper at the Corinthian church made some sick while others died. Let’s stop here.

We must not forget or ignore the fact that anger, discipline, judgment, wrath, and eternal damnation are all part of who God is. The table below paints a broad picture of the many attributes, and characteristics of God.

The Bible says God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger…  But it also says it is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God as an unsaved sinner.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. (Psalm 103:8)

It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)

Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may be too late. To say no to God’s love and free gift of salvation is the worst mistake one could make. The time of Jesus’ return is very near and you will not want to be on the wrong side of this life-changing event.

How to Turn to God

Perhaps at this very moment, you have realized that you need the Lord in your life. Maybe you drifted away or need to be born again? If so, you can stop right now and begin talking to God. Ask Him to forgive you for being a sinner and for the life you have been living outside of His love. Surrender your life to Him, unconditionally. Call Him Lord and make Him Lord of every thought, attitude, and action. You can say, Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins and come into my heart and take full control of my life. I am your child from this day forward. Change my heart and mind to be Christ-like in every way. I confess Jesus as my Lord and Savior forever.