What does God think?

Obviously, it has been a while since I wrote a substantial blog and hopefully I will write an update post soon. But for now I want to write some thoughts which I have been entertaining and need a way out of my head. When I came to Lee University I was a little nervous about studying Theology as a major, but as I am finishing up my last year I have grown with a great appreciation for it. Not only that, but already during my break I found myself wanting to continue to read theology (despite the vast amount of complaining about reading I did during the semester). I've come to realize that Theology could be one of the most misunderstood disciplines and should not be seen as boring or unspiritual. Instead, its ultimate end should lead the reader into the Love of the Father and great fascination of who God is.

One of my favorite Contemporary Theologians is Jurgen Moltmann. He is a German theologian who was born in 1926 and was drafted to be a German Solider in WWII. I want to be clear, I do not agree with a lot of his theological stances, but I think he has presented a unique approach to theology which needs to be utilized. His first book was Theology of Hope which was published in 1967. This was not intended to be a Christian Eschatology, but instead present a foundation of hope for all theology (in 1996 he decided to develop this more and write a Christian Eschatology). Soon after Theology of Hope he wrote The Crucified God which was published in 1973, which is where I intend to focus this post.

He poses a question which directs the rest of his book asking, "What does the human cross of Christ mean for God?" It seems like since Christ has died the church has only sought to define the cross in relation to what it means to us and the freedom, salvation, and future we have in Christ. Without neglecting this foundation, could the cross actually mean something for God too? Moltmann explores the dimensions of this in a profound way suggesting that maybe God suffered the loss of his fatherhood in the death of His Son (Expect a post soon discussing more of Moltmann's theology of the cross, but for now, lets continue exploring what prayer means for God).

Recently, one of my favorite professors at Lee made a comment about the current Christian Charismatic understanding of Intercession and prayer. Without quoting him directly he basically compared the churches understanding of intercession as a works based faith and something we do in order for God to act. This is a completely false understanding of prayer because God is outside of every being and needs no one nor nothing to do what He pleases. While I agree with this, immediately a thought popped in my head similar to Moltmann's question with the cross, "What does the saints intercession/prayers mean for God?" While God clearly doesn't need these petitions, could it be that he has set his Kingdom up in such a way to have full bridal partnership in the place of prayer? Could this be similar to the way he used Moses and other leaders in the bible? Could the wedding really be God's ultimate goal?

While God clearly doesn't need us to accomplish His plans, He has invited us to partner with him as His bride. It's the same as in a marriage, while the man is the head and leader he does not do everything. As the Bride of Jesus we are alongside of Him serving Him, we are with him where he is (John 17:24). In His meekness he has given us the freedom to join and to pray His will into existence. For so long I equated meekness with humility until I read this definition by Josh Hawkins:

"Meekness is the restraint of power for the accomplishment of a higher cause. Though outwardly they may all seem similar, we must not confuse meekness with humility or weakness... when someone is meek, they possess power but restrain from using it for themselves. Instead, they operate in humility and use their power for a redemptive purpose... The glory of Jesus’ meekness is that every time He was presented with an opportunity to use His divine power to shield Himself from the full-brunt of the human experience, He did not. He continually used His power as God for the benefit of others. Not once did Jesus warm himself up on a cold night, subdue His hunger pains when He went without food, or silence the mouths of His accusers when lies were spoken about Him." Click Here to read more.

His decision to set up His Kingdom so believers partner with Him in Intercession to accomplish His purposes is His meekness. Clearly He could do whatever He desires in a moment, but instead he has set standards in place that even He Himself will not cross. Just as he used Moses to release the plagues on Pharaoh and to speak to the people of Israel. In the same way He wants to use our prayers to affect those people and places we pray for. This should transform the way we pray, and instead of begging God to do things we should pray knowing that he desires to answer the things we are praying for more than we do..

But then what? Is the end goal prayer? While prayer is a fantastic demonstration of bridal partnership it is only perfecting humility and meekness within us, so that one day we will be ready to marry the Lamb. We will be a pure and spotless bride. This present evil age will end in the return of Jesus, and those faithful followers will be gathered with Him and celebrate at the Marriage supper of the Lamb.


Thoughts?