Christians: Would I be a heretic if I said that God made man so He could be glorified?

Question

You see, I got this in an email:

"Subject: Re: What is your view on God?

Message: >>""The fall" of mankind. The sin of Adam and Eve."<<

If man did not sin, God would not have sent Jesus. Therefore he won't be glorified."

Isn't that heresy?

Answer 1

If you said that, then it would mean that you have missed the entire theme of the Bible.

It would also mean that you have been listening to a preacher who want's to be glorified, so he tells you to glorify God directly and him (that preacher) indirectly. or visa versa.


"God needs a new car, and he wants me to drive it."- unknown author

Answer 2

I have heard that before as some people attempt to explain why we are born. God does not NEED us and he is not a egomaniac either. I think most people just don't think about what they are saying. We are to glorify God in all things, but that is not the same as His *wanting* glory.

And there is a strand of theology that says that even if the fall did not happen that God would have become man anyway so the He could be one with His creating and they with Him.

Answer 3

It is presumptive to dictate what God would or would not have done w/o A & E. God is sufficiently independent of our imposed limitations to actually able to do what God desires. For that alone God receives glorification.
David glorified God in the Psalms 1000 years before Jesus came. For everything from a starlit night to a defeated slanderer.

Answer 4

It's not like God was sitting in Heaven and said-wow I need a bunch of people to tell me how great I am...he created us as friends- made a little lower than the angels- but as friends. We glorify God because of that friendship. So it's not heretic- just a bit of confusion.

Answer 5

The quote you mention could have two possible meanings: the glorification of God or the glorification of man. If your correspondent means the glorification of God - well, Jehovah is petty and likes to have people kiss up to him. That might be heretical, but it's also provable from scripture.

The more interesting concept is the glorification of man. This is an old concept and one that attached itself to Christianity very early on. In the orthodox Church, one still hears discussion of the concept of "theosis" (literally, deification). The early Church fathers coined the phrase - "God became man that men might become gods."

Does this mean literally all-powerful and independent of God? Hell no. Jehovah doesn't brook competition. It means participating in the glory and work of God. It means the realization of the Divine imshr in man - on Jehovah's terms.

Personally, I'm more of an independent spiritual contractor, but the concept that you mention is an ancient part of Christian teaching. It would be a real shame if folks considered it to be heresy.

All the best,

Laz

Answer 6

No.

Man was made to be loved by God, to love, praise, and serve Him.
This would give Him glory - AND - that has not been changed by the Fall. In fact, He gets to show both His Mercy AND Justice because of His provision for Mankind's salvation in Christ.

I'm not a theologian - just a Christian - but it looks like you would NOT be a heretic...not by a long shot!

May you be Blessed by God Almighty, and His Son Jesus Christ.

Answer 7

Not necessarily because everything made is for God's glory, but I believe if man did not sin, God would still be glorified.

Answer 8

Your just questioning things. It is reasonable. You are in good company though. Locke wrote in the "Reasonableness of Christianity" that only God would create man with the ability to believe in God. I am reciting from memory so it is not verbatim. Locke was Christian and I do not think he was ever branded a heretic.

Answer 9

No, God is to be glorified through his creation of man and woman and through salvation through Jesus Christ- for all He does is for HIS GLORY.

Daniel 7:14
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.

And example from the story of Pharaoh:Exodus 14:4
And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." So the Israelites did this.

Romans 9:23
What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory—

Revelation 1:6
To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Revelation 14:7
He said in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water."

-There are MANY scriptures on God's glory...For He created us For Him: as it says in Colossians.

Answer 10

Jesus would have become man, even if Adam had not sinned (but His function then would not have been to atone for sin).


That is necessary to complete a trinitarian pattern in reality.

There is God, then there is creation, then there is the analogical link between the two, who is God and creation (man) in one person, who is Jesus Christ.






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