Godly Jealousy: A Theology of Intolerant Love
Overview
Divine jealousy plays a central role in God's activities throughout human history, yet it is virtually ignored among those in the Church today. Christians desire leaders who are dynamic, educated, and entertaining, but it is highly unlikely you will ever see jealousy as one of the desired qualities of leaders within the Church. However, jealousy is one of the primary attributes of the great leaders in the Bible.
As human jealousy is seldom uncontaminated with sin, it tends only to be understood as a negative emotion. The Bible tells us that our God is a jealous God, and Erik Thoennes offers us unique insights into godly jealousy as taught in Scipture, and also looks closely at biblical leaders who displayed godly, human jealousy. Thoennes masterfully draws ethical and theological implications from godly jealousy for the 21st Century. This book is a must read for anyone who is concerned with character development and who seeks to understand one of the central values needed in the Church today.
- An in-depth look at suffering and the sovereignty of God
- An appendix dealing with annihilationism
- A glossary of Scripture dealing with the subject of temptation
- All Scripture references linked to the Bibles in your library
Top Highlights
“When jealousy for God’s glory is neglected, the creature rather than the creator takes center stage. Recovery of the pervasive theme in Scripture of God’s jealousy for his own glory will insure that God’s people live to fulfill their highest purpose—to bring glory to God.” (Page 33)
“There are major responses that God expects when his glory is displayed. God’s jealous desire for glory demands at least the following manifestations: (1) worship, (2) obedience, (3) knowledge that he is the Lord, (4) fear of the Lord, and (5) reverence for his name.” (Pages 38–39)
“Jealousy is the reason God gives for the second commandment:” (Page 7)
“Because jealousy is primarily seen as a result of personal and relational insecurity39 it is assumed that a God who is jealous must therefore be insecure. ‘Thus the jealousy of God correlates with the insecurity of his Chosen People.’” (Page 17)
“Although human jealousy is seldom uncontaminated with sin, can be unwarranted,5 and taken to ungodly extremes,6 there is, nevertheless, an important place in the Bible for human jealousy that is righteous and godly.” (Page 8)
This is an important book on a neglected subject! Erik Thoennes shows that God is pleased with those today who, like Phineas, David, Paul, and Jesus himself, are jealous for the honor of our great God in an age that increasingly disregards him and his commands. Carefully researched and clearly written, this book shows that there is a good kind of godly jealousy which will give backbone and courage to our Christian lives.
—Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Bible and Theology Phoenix Seminary, Phoenix, Arizona
Because the virtues are mutually reinforcing and require the presence of other virtues to be developed fully, a life of character will remain elusive if a particular virtue is disregarded. Today, jealousy has a public relations problem: It is widely misunderstood and regarded as a vice. In this scholarly yet accessible book, professor Thoennes fills a huge void regarding godly jealousy. With skill and admirable familiarity with the relevant literature, he restores godly jealousy to its proper place in a life well lived. Those concerned about character development cannot afford to neglect this book.
—J. P. Moreland, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, La Mirada, California
- Title: Godly Jealousy: A Theology of Intolerant Love
- Author: Erik Thoennes
- Publisher: Christian Focus
- Print Publication Date: 2005
- Logos Release Date: 2010
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Jealousy › Biblical teaching; God › Jealousy
- ISBNs: 9781845500276, 184550027X
- Resource ID: LLS:GODLYJLSY
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T00:18:44Z