Understanding Fear: Love for God or Submission to Authority?
Many people fear God out of necessity, believing that submission to divine authority is a necessary condition for survival and protection in this life. This fear is often instilled through the narratives found in the Bible, particularly in the Old Testament. However, the nature of this fear and its relationship with love for God is complex and multifaceted.
The Role of Fear in the Old Testament
The Bible, especially the Old Testament, presents a God who commands people to fear Him for various reasons. Some of these commands stem from dire circumstances, as seen in the account of Job, where God made a bet with the devil, leading to Job's suffering and testing of loyalty. Other accounts, such as the mass killings under Yahweh's command in the Book of Joshua, depict a harsh and demanding deity.
These events include:
Mass killings of babies and destruction of entire groups of people as a scorched earth policy (Joshua 6-7). Global floods as retribution (Genesis 6-9). Penalties for not sacrificing animals to Him, including punishing people who refused (Genesis 19:24-29). Threats of starvation leading to cannibalism among humans (Lamentations 4:10).While such commands may have been justified in certain contexts, these actions present a severe version of God's character. Such a God demands unconditional submission and can mete out horrible punishments for disobedience.
The Contrast Between Old and New Testaments
Despite the fear-inducing commands in the Old Testament, the God described in the New Testament presents a markedly different image. Jesus, seen as the son of God in Christian beliefs, portrays a father who is meek, forgiving, merciful, and patient. According to the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes love over fear. Some key verses include:
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (1 John 3:23, KJV)
Jesus repeatedly states that God does not want sacrifices or blood, but simply the love of His children. This perspective transforms the notion of fear into a more positive form of love and devotion.
How to Interpret Fear Today
According to the Bible, whether fear of God is a form of love or submission depends on the interpretation one brings to the text. If a person worships a God who commands fear and harsh actions, they may indeed be serving the God of the Old Testament, who is often referred to as Yahweh or Jehovah. However, if fear is absent, it may indicate a focus on the God of the New Testament, who is described as the loving father of Jesus.
The passage from the Gospel of John (8:40-42) provides a clear distinction between the two:
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they unto him, We be not born of fornication: we have one Father, even God.
Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceed not forth from myself, but from my Father, which is in heaven.
Jesus here asserts that true love for God involves loving Him, which He is willing to prove through His actions.
The Choice Between Fear and Love
Ultimately, the choice between fearing God and loving God depends on the theology one adheres to. Those who follow the New Testament view of God as a loving, merciful, and forgiving father may reject the fear-based commands of the Old Testament. Instead, they focus on the teachings of Jesus, which emphasize love, forgiveness, and compassion.
For some, fear and love aren’t mutually exclusive. They may recognize that both emotions are part of a broader relationship with a higher power. However, understanding the nature of these emotions is crucial in developing a balanced and harmonious spiritual life.
Conclusion
Whether fear of God is a form of love or submission can be a deeply personal interpretation. The Bible offers varied portrayals of God, but ultimately, the message of love and forgiveness from the New Testament provides a different and perhaps more positive pathway to a relationship with the divine.
By exploring these different interpretations, one can gain a deeper understanding of the role of fear and love in one's spiritual life.