I think we, myself included, do our very best to complicate theology to our detriment. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for precision, but there are times when simple is better.
I was introduced to Veggie Tales a couple of weeks ago – my wife bought The Libster a DVD. And now that we’ve watched it a thousand times, I’m amazed by both the simplicity and profundity of something like the song “God is Bigger (than the Boogie Man)”.
I think this is a notion we give intellectual assent, but rarely employ in practice. We like the idea of having a big God, but we don’t like the responsibility of having a big God.
For example, I like the idea that God is bigger than the Boogie Man, but what happens when I meet the Boogie Man face-to-face (or, insert scary thing of your choice). I can think back to instances where I’ve cowered, forgot how big I thought God was, or simply realized that I didn’t believe what I thought I believed. Thankfully, there is grace for those situations, and, slowly but surely, I’m learning that God really is that big.
I’m not on the lookout for Boogie Men or Women, but I believe my God is bigger.
#1 by Matt on December 9, 2009 - 1:12 pm
I’m sure your wife will be happy to know that you’re not on the lookout for women.
#2 by Peter on December 9, 2009 - 2:51 pm
If she’s happy, I’m happy.
#3 by pissedandtart on December 9, 2009 - 1:28 pm
Tamerlane said “It is better to be on hand with ten men than absent with ten thousand.” It doesn’t matter how big your God is if he’s off busy doing something else.
#4 by Peter on December 9, 2009 - 2:57 pm
Curious moniker?
#5 by Bitsy Griffin on December 9, 2009 - 6:15 pm
mmmmm God’s off doing something else?
#6 by Peter on December 10, 2009 - 10:38 am
I think he or she just missed the point, which is confirmed by his or her reply comment below.
#7 by pissedandtart on December 10, 2009 - 1:18 am
Well, I figure if God’s left you to deal with a boogie man yourself, he must be busy with something more important. I mean…what sort of loving God would just stand by watching as you get totally freaked out by a boogie man?
#8 by mike42lan on December 10, 2009 - 10:59 pm
I don’t believe in the Boogie Man,I stopped believing in him along time ago,I still believe in God,not only that but I know Jesus Christ as my personal lord and savior.Amen
#9 by Chuck Grantham on December 13, 2009 - 2:16 pm
To paraphrase Martin Luther, “The Boogie Man is God’s Boogie Man.”
#10 by pissedandtart on December 13, 2009 - 9:08 pm
Mike: Refer back to the OP. Boogie man here is just used to mean whatever scares you, not an actual boogie man.
#11 by Peter on December 23, 2009 - 2:26 pm
Yes, Boogie Man is anything scary.
Chuck, LOL!