Comments on: SE7EN: Wrath

By: Marty Duren

Marty Duren — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 11:58:48 +0000

Joe,
You have to register, and yes, you would assuredly be counted.

It’s really a misnomer, but it interesting to see how many hits other sites get as well. They don’t always match up with my StatCounter, but its fun to track.

By: Marcguyver

Marcguyver — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 08:22:35 +0000

Oh and Joe, excellent post man. You have articulated this very well and made some great comments; couple of my favs:
““Men often make up in wrath what they want in reason.” Perhaps we could say people often make up in wrath what they lack in love.”
and, “Some disguise their wrath as a desire for justice. But justice seeks the appropriate punishment of wrongdoing, the good and protection of others and ultimately the glory of God. Revenge seeks punishment for its own sake, usually without appropriate measure, and is fueled by self. Mercy is nowhere present, nor is there a desire for the individual’s restoration with God.”

I think a lot of times we can check our ‘motives’ by asking, “what am I hoping to accomplish” before we conduct ourselves in a particular way towards another. Usually this will show whether or not we are acting out of a sense of revenge or for proper justice.

Great post man!

By: Marcguyver

Marcguyver — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 08:16:51 +0000

Steve, I like that, “Christian world is so full of “nice guys” that we could use a little fire? And often that fire that should be there, when abused, becomes the wrath you speak of. Am I making any sense?”

It’s like we aren’t taught how to have a proper wrath, you know? Like nobody teaches you how to properly display ‘righteous indignation’ and yet still be operating without sin. I think I’m catching what you’re saying.
For instance, you teach your son how to defend himself, but when the bully smacks him across the face and bloodies his lip, instead of just throwing a few punches he goes all the way and bounces his head off the curb to boot! (Maybe that’s not the best example, :> )

Anyway, it’s hard not to get too riled up but yet still get riled up enough to be effective and purposeful. Say someone breaks into my house and attempts to rape my wife. I kick the tar out of him, or as much as is necessary, yet do I walk out the rest of my life and hate his guts and hope he dies in hell??

Hmmm, am I making sense?

By: marc

marc — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 01:54:35 +0000

I just fundasized by a KJVer today because I had some secular music and movies listed as favorites in my blog profile. He was’t wrathful though, just judgmental (but aren’t we all to some extent?).

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:02:03 +0000

For clarity, wrath is a sin present in every circle of people. I am simply pointing out that I have found the ecclesiastical form of it most often in the circles mentioned. Some of the Reformed (my camp), and the others. of course, there are genuinely humble and godly people in each group as well.

Marty, at least you are in the Baptist 1000. I don’t think I am even counted.

By: Marty Duren

Marty Duren — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 23:52:33 +0000

Poor Beanie Baby.

Joe,
Speaking of KJV only, I found this site the other day- KJV 1611 24/7 Jesus Church, Inc. I guess that’s the name of it.

It’s chapping me that they keep coming in before me on Baptist 1000. I feel like a loser. GOSH.

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:55:52 +0000

I tend to find wrath among the KJV-only crowd, some Reformed groups and Fundie circles. The door-mat character is a different issue than this post, but yeah I agree with what you see, though I am not sure it is the most common trait among Christian men. There’s a new book out, No More Christian Nice Guy: When Being Nice–Instead of Good–Hurts Men, Women And Children. I don’t know much about it, but it is on topic with what you are talking about.

By: Steve McCoy

Steve McCoy — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 19:35:30 +0000

The pic is really good, but the post is better.

Thought I had near the end: when I see Christian men, I usually don’t see wrath, but doormats. Doormats for their wives, people at the workplace, etc. Obviously that isn’t the opposite of wrath, but would you agree that the Christian world is so full of “nice guys” that we could use a little fire? And often that fire that should be there, when abused, becomes the wrath you speak of. Am I making any sense?

Anyway, mumbling over.

By: Joe Thorn

Joe Thorn — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 16:06:44 +0000

Thanks Pete. I thought to myself after I finished this one, the pic is much better than my post.

By: pete

pete — Thu, 10 Nov 2005 15:09:21 +0000

I don’t know if you could have picked a better picture for this topic…good stuff, Joe.