Theology for Everybody: Romansنموونە

One of the largest data studies on religion, faith, and spirituality was published in a very well-known book called America’s Four Gods. Researchers found that Americans tend to have four views of God, and these are the same four views Paul prophesied in Romans chapters 1–3. Give the social sciences long enough, and they’ll always catch up with the Bible. In addition to the 5 percent of Americans who identify as atheists, here are the results:

1. Twenty-four percent of Americans believe in the Benevolent God. This is the view that God is engaged but not judgmental. He’s relational and kind, but He doesn’t judge or criticize anyone. He accepts you as you are and doesn’t want to change you. Paul refers to this view as unrighteousness in Romans 1:18–32

2. Twenty-four percent of Americans believe in the Distant God. This is the view that God is not involved or judgmental. Instead of being engaged, He’s abandoned us like an absentee landlord. We are on our own. If we think God is gone and won’t judge us or be involved with us, then we are responsible for bringing change into the world. God won’t judge, so we must judge. This thinking invites critical theory and social justice, which Paul prophesied in Romans 2:1–11.

3. Sixteen percent of Americans believe in the Critical God. This is the view that God is not engaged but judgmental. Instead of a coach, He’s a critic. He tells us everything we’ve done wrong but won’t get involved to help us. Paul discusses the spirit of self-righteousness in Romans 2:12–29. Self-righteous people who are religious and ideological are very devoted, but they’re also very judgmental, non-relational, unsympathetic, uncompassionate, and lacking in generosity.

4. Thirty-one percent of Americans believe in the Authoritative God. This is the view that God is engaged, relational, and involved in your life. He’s also judgmental; He has strong opinions and calls out what is acceptable and unacceptable in His sight. This is the correct perspective of God and gift righteousness that Paul writes about in Romans 3:21–30.

Your view of God determines how you view yourself, the whole purpose of your life, and all of the problems, pains, and perils on earth.

Today’s Reflection

Which version of God did you believe in as a child? Which version do you believe in now as an adult?