When Love Takes Pride of Place

What Does It Mean that “God is in Control”? (Conclusion) 

Did you know that literally tens of millions of people are currently downloading (and presumably using) AI apps that mimic what it is like to chat with God? That was news to me until I read an editorial from The New York Times called “Believing." For instance, I learned that Bible Chat has had more than 30 million downloads. And at one point last year, Apple reported that the Catholic app, Hallow, was the most downloaded app from its store, surpassing even Netflix, Instagram, and TikTok!  

I’m not sure what I think about all of this or whether I should be worried if my job as a spiritual director is in danger. And while I certainly have some concerns about people turning to artificial intelligence to satisfy their spiritual needs, I find it remarkably encouraging that there is (apparently) a burgeoning spiritual hunger in our world! At least that’s what I’d like to think. 

It’s also quite possible that millions of people are feeling desperate for guidance and consolation, given the difficult, dark, chaotic times in which we’re living. I feel that, too. My prayers these days are often unutterable aches of heart; cries for God’s haste to help us. And so, I want to conclude the series I began in late spring, What it Doesn’t Mean that God is in Control and end with what it does mean, or at least what it may mean.  

I began my quest by reading and reflecting on several works by theologians who have asked questions similar to mine regarding the nature of God’s power and control, but from those who didn’t look to classical theism for their answers. I was wrestling with the question of how God tangibly intervenes in our world. Is it by determining and controlling everything, which is the view of certain theologies that describe God as omnipotent, all-powerful, all-controlling? This divine being who always gets what he wants.  

Here is a summary of and a link to the five posts in this series, each centered around a tenet that many hold related to the control and power of God.  

1. God is in ultimate control of all things, including all the events of our lives. 

2. God is all-powerful (omnipotent) and, therefore, always gets God’s way.  

3. God seemingly allows pain and suffering in the world. 

4. It doesn’t really matter what we do because, after all, “God is in control.” 

5. Because God calls all the shots, it also doesn’t matter if or how we pray.  

As you read over this list, does it describe the God of your present understanding? Perhaps more germane, does it match the way God has been involved in your life and spiritual journey? Is it possible that these tenets are not so much the result of thoughtful study of scripture or reflection on historical Christian faith? That they actually stem from a certain philosophy of power? Is it possible that these ideas “make sense” to the philosopher/theologian or even historically situated author of scripture who is trying to fashion a deity that fits their idea of power and control? That’s what I’ve begun to wonder. 

Though I still have many questions about this topic, after reading several authors and wrestling with their ideas and conclusions, I’ve landed on one foundational, defining way that describes what it means to me that God is in control. According to Thomas J. Oord, “we understand God in general, and divine power in particular, if we give love pride of place.” 

Giving love pride of place. What does that mean? It means that we believe God prioritizes love among all of God’s other attributes. In other words, God never acts in an unloving way or in a manner that contradicts the nature of love. It means that God’s love is the most potent force in our universe. Just as God is present everywhere and in all things, so is Love present everywhere and in all things. We can therefore be grateful that God is always and everywhere coaxing, inspiring, and empowering us toward love. It’s not even necessary that we’re aware that we are being enlivened by God or find ourselves acting in response to God’s loving impulse. 

Surely we all know (even if we forget at times) that love never harms or diminishes, demeans or violates. That love is enduring and long-suffering. Therefore, when people participate in loving acts, they are participating with God’s loving presence and prompting, whether they know it or not! But when people join in hateful, vulgar, demeaning speech or actions—even when they say they are following Jesus or claim they are devout Christians—they are, in fact, resisting the presence and promptings of God. It really is that simple to discern. 

Only heartless narcissists imagine that the way of love is too soft and simple. Those who see life through the dualisms of win/lose, right/wrong, black/white—a race to the top. To them, love, empathy, and respect are weak and spineless. Sadly, they may have no personal experience with God’s stealth weapon, love. “Love’s ultimate victory,” according to Tom Oord, “will not come through absolute control but through relentless love.” 

As I ponder the idea of love taking pride of place among God’s priorities, a memory returns to me. Some years ago, I was sitting on the front porch of Fall Creek Abbey one early morning. Quietly and without fanfare, the line from an old hymn floated into my conscious thoughts. “Oh, Love that will not let me go.” At the time, I wasn’t even sure it came from a hymn, nor could I recall its simple tune. Yet it captured in a phrase the indescribable Presence that has kept me over the years of my life. A Love that would not let me go. It is this Love that has gently, faithfully, unrelentingly coaxed—never coercing—me toward a life of flourishing. It is in this Love and this Love alone where I’m placing my hope during these dark, uncertain days. 

All the best to you, my friend. Keep pressing into Love. Warmly, Beth Booram

Sources:

The Case for Freewill Theism, David Basinger

God of the Possible, Gregory Boyd

The Death of Omnipotence and Birth of Amipotence, Thomas J. Oord

God Can't, Thomas J. Oord

God Can't Q & A, Thomas J. Oord

The God Who Risks, John Sanders