For various reasons I’ve given thought recently to the concept of “subdue”, especially centered within the realm of creation (cf. Gen 1:28). However, I found myself wandering, at times, into other realms of thought concerning this concept “subdue” and the various ways in which one subdues another. Most obviously one subdues another by means of force, whether its military action or your run-of-the-mill school yard bullying. However, there are other ways to be sure, more subtle ways of subduing another. Within the geo-political realm, one nation may attempt to subdue another through economic sanctions and the like. I’m sure there are various ways to subdue another within the social realm through the slightest of manipulative maneuvers. Although each of these is worthy of thought, reflection, and at times introspection, I found myself instead considering how to subdue God.
It may seem ridiculous at first, but how would one go about it? Do I attempt to subdue God? Do you? Is it a conscious or subconscious affair? My initial response to this query was “surely not.” But, the more I considered it and the subtle ways it might be done; I came to conclude, “Yes, I do attempt to subdue God.” I would say most people do. I think for most of us it is a subconscious act. We don’t set out one day to subdue and place God under our control, but it happens and it happens subtly. We attempt to subdue God through our “theology.” Whether we realize it or not; we’re all theologians. We all have thoughts about who God is and how he’s supposed to act. Many of us go beyond mere thoughts and even venture to make statements concerning who God is and how he acts. In essence, we try to tame God by our speech about God. We erect elaborate theological cages around that wild beast we know as “God” in order to subdue him and bring him under our control. Deep down in each of us, I think, is a dark desire to have God bend to our will, which is driven by a dreadful fear of who God really is. We’re afraid to have God lurking about un-caged. In my own experience, I’ve been quick to erect such theological cages. Every time I do, God shows himself to be untamed by my attempts to domesticate him (read through the book of Job sometime with this is in mind). God simply cannot be caged and especially not by our theologies. I imagine God would respond to us and our attempts to cage him in this manner, “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)
BD
It may seem ridiculous at first, but how would one go about it? Do I attempt to subdue God? Do you? Is it a conscious or subconscious affair? My initial response to this query was “surely not.” But, the more I considered it and the subtle ways it might be done; I came to conclude, “Yes, I do attempt to subdue God.” I would say most people do. I think for most of us it is a subconscious act. We don’t set out one day to subdue and place God under our control, but it happens and it happens subtly. We attempt to subdue God through our “theology.” Whether we realize it or not; we’re all theologians. We all have thoughts about who God is and how he’s supposed to act. Many of us go beyond mere thoughts and even venture to make statements concerning who God is and how he acts. In essence, we try to tame God by our speech about God. We erect elaborate theological cages around that wild beast we know as “God” in order to subdue him and bring him under our control. Deep down in each of us, I think, is a dark desire to have God bend to our will, which is driven by a dreadful fear of who God really is. We’re afraid to have God lurking about un-caged. In my own experience, I’ve been quick to erect such theological cages. Every time I do, God shows himself to be untamed by my attempts to domesticate him (read through the book of Job sometime with this is in mind). God simply cannot be caged and especially not by our theologies. I imagine God would respond to us and our attempts to cage him in this manner, “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)
BD