Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God

I recently watched a national television program where a grade school teacher was interviewed. “What is the hardest part of your job?” the commentator asked. Her response concerned me.

"I like being a professional educator, but I hate the daily task of teaching. My children are so unruly that I have to stay mad at them all the time just to control the classroom."

I can’t imagine having employment where success required me to be angry year after year. Yet many teachers (and parents) believe that anger is their only tool for effectively managing children.

First off, it’s exhausting. Second, it’s ineffective. And third, there’s another way.

 Suppose you are exceeding the posted speed limit on your drive home. Standing in the middle of the intersection is a police officer. He has no squad car, wears no badge, carries no gun, and can write you no tickets. All he is permitted to do is stand there and yell in anger as you hurry past.

How would you respond? Would you slow down just because his face is turning red, the vein in his neck is bulging, and he is shaking his very large fist in your direction? I wouldn’t. In fact, I’d probably smile and wave as I rode by. His anger would achieve very little-- except to make him appear foolish.

On the other hand, nothing influences driving as effectively as a black-and-white vehicle in my rearview mirror, red and blue lights flashing in urgency. If I was pulled over to the curb my attitude would not be so cavalier, especially when a dignified, courteous, six-foot nine officer with a gun in his holster approached my opening window. 

We all know the drill. "Madam, radar indicates that you were traveling sixty-five miles per hour in a twenty-five mile per hour zone. May I please see your driver's license, registration and proof of insurance?"

He has revealed no hostility, offered no criticism, and revealed no anger. Yet if you are like me, the documents are handed to him with a shaking hand.

Why is this moment so traumatizing? Because the next few minutes are going to be notoriously unpleasant; they could affect your finances and future driving habits for a very long time.

Children respond in much the same way. Discipline affects behavior. Anger does not.

In 1741 Jonathon Edwards preached, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” His words are more traumatizing than any speeding ticket I have ever received.

Edwards makes a solid case for the righteous wrath of God. Then he warns, “O sinner! Consider the fearful danger you are in: it is a furnace of wrath, a wide and bottomless pit, full of the fire of wrath, that you are held over in the hand of that God, whose wrath is provoked and incensed as much against you… You hang by a slender thread.”

God’s anger is justified towards those who speed by Him with a smile and a flirtatious wave. He has every right to assign tickets, and (if He desires) use deadly force against those who sin against Him and against the people He brings into their lives.

 Fortunately, that is not the entire story.

Beginning in Genesis and continuing through the Book of Revelation is God’s plan to save those who “hang by a slender thread.” His strategy is simple. His anger must be appeased. Punishment must be meted out.

God sent a substitute to be the recipient of His wrath—His Son.

Anger without restraint is abuse. Anger without mercy is a ticket for despair. Anger without love changes no one.