Why is it that back in the days before Christ people were encouraged to ‘wrestle with God’ but now we are instructed to obey completely and with neither hesitation nor question nor complaint? Even Jesus on the cross asked “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and yet in many contemporary people’s experiences anything but blind obedience was simply forbidden at best and punished at worst.
Sorry for the delayed response – computer problems.
Wrestling with God was not forbidden in the New Testament. Blind obedience is a human thing (mostly the established churches), not anything God commands.
God encourages questions and will put up with a lot from His people to engage with us.
Please look at the page on prayer – specifically the section relating what should we pray for.
It’s okay to complain to God and demand answers – just remember that we aren’t entitled to them.
Remember, too, that God is sovereign, which means He is not required to answer to anyone for what He does.
It should be noted, though, that obedience to God is usually the best course. He is smarter than we are and works to our best interests – as He defines the term.
Why is it that back in the days before Christ people were encouraged to ‘wrestle with God’ but now we are instructed to obey completely and with neither hesitation nor question nor complaint? Even Jesus on the cross asked “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” and yet in many contemporary people’s experiences anything but blind obedience was simply forbidden at best and punished at worst.
Sorry for the delayed response – computer problems.
Wrestling with God was not forbidden in the New Testament. Blind obedience is a human thing (mostly the established churches), not anything God commands.
God encourages questions and will put up with a lot from His people to engage with us.
Please look at the page on prayer – specifically the section relating what should we pray for.
It’s okay to complain to God and demand answers – just remember that we aren’t entitled to them.
Remember, too, that God is sovereign, which means He is not required to answer to anyone for what He does.
It should be noted, though, that obedience to God is usually the best course. He is smarter than we are and works to our best interests – as He defines the term.