America 4 God Analysis

Paul Froese and Christopher Bader, authors of America’s Four Gods, summarize the attitudes and perceptions about God from Americans into four categories. These categories are based on how engaged and judgmental a person considers God. If God is engaged and judgmental, He is perceived as an authoritative God. If God is not engaged and judgmental, He is perceived as a critical God. When God is perceived as not engaged and non-judgmental, He is distant, and when he is engaged and non-judgmental, He is benevolent. I believe that these four categories accurately summarize the views on God in America from my experience. Personally, I believe God to be a benevolent God who is both engaged and non-judgmental. My personal relationship with God is much like a close friendship with someone whom I tell everything and go to with problems. I do believe God has a wrath but I do not believe He is controlling me with an iron fist. My own personal conviction based on my actions is what brings me guilt and shame, not punishment from God. If I sin, I feel more like I have betrayed a friend who loves me more than I feel I disobeyed a parent who is going to punish me. I do believe I will be judged for my actions after death but I do not feel a constant judgement. I also feel God’s engagement in my …show more content…
My parents and the older people in my church definitely see God as an authoritative God, who is constantly punishing us for our shortcomings and sins. They see God as an ever-watching eye waiting for us to be flawed. I remember hearing elders in the church blame natural disasters and tragedies on God’s wrath because of our actions. I disagree with this perception because the Bible teaches that God created us in His image, so we must be inherently good. I find it interesting that the people who perceive God as authoritative are mostly parents who have had to raise children, which often comes with having to be