Designer Deities and Tailor-made Theology

It was Jean-Jacques Rousseau who said, “God created man in his own image. And man, being a gentleman, returned the favor.” Unfortunately the French philosopher is correct. We live in the age of the designer. We hear of designer babies and even designer dogs. The concept is quite simple. We handpick all the desirable characteristics and discard the rest. We see this in every area of life. For some it is just personalizing a particular item; adapting it to better fit our personality and express our uniqueness. There is nothing wrong with that. Why stick with the factory model when you can customize it? Manufacturers known they can maximize their profits when they cater to the whims of the consumer. But what happens when this designer mentality collides with theology and what we know about God? The answer is, we prove Rousseau’s point.

Like never before, we are witnessing a redefining of Christian theology in which God is being re-cast according to the dictates of our culture. In recent weeks, 4 major denominations willfully rejected God’s Word and embraced their own concept of who God is. Following in the steps of so many who claim to be forward thinking and open-minded, they have bought into a new and improved designer deity. They have handpicked those characteristics of God they deemed desirable and discarded the rest. However, in doing so they are no longer worshipping or following the God of the Bible. They have created a new god, made after their own image. They have created a god, tailored to fit their liking. That my friend, is idolatry. God has revealed Himself through His Word. Any attempt on our part to embellish or impoverish that revelation leads us to the feet of a false god. The God of the Bible is the God of love, but He is also a consuming fire. He is the God of mercy and grace, but He is also the God of judgment. Don’t be deceived into accepting a designer deity –study God’s Word and allow Him to reveal Himself to you.


One Response to “Designer Deities and Tailor-made Theology”

  1. Jean Thomure says:

    This, my dear brother, is why I have always loved hearing you preach.

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