IS GOD TOO ARROGANT?

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One common accusation against the Christian faith is that the God of the Bible is arrogant. Critics argue that only someone who is self-centered and proud would demand constant worship and glory. Some even point to passages where God clearly desires that all people know Him (2 Sam. 7:23; Ps. 106:7; Jer. 32:20) and where He calls Himself a jealous God (Ex. 20:5; 34:14; Deut. 4:24). They claim that jealousy is a negative trait found in the self-absorbed. If God is perfectly good, they say, He should not be like this. To address the issue, we need to be clear on several points.

1. GOD CANNOT BE CALLED ARROGANT

Arrogance means “exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one’s own worth or importance, often in an overbearing manner” (Merriam-Webster). In other words, arrogance is having an inflated view of oneself. God cannot be arrogant because His view of Himself is perfectly accurate. It is not prideful for God to say He is perfect (Matt. 5:48) when that is the truth. It is not boastful for Him to declare that nothing is too hard for Him (Jer. 32:27), for indeed nothing is impossible with God (Matt. 19:26).

2. GOD HAS EVERY RIGHT TO DEMAND WORSHIP

Because God is God, it is entirely fitting that He receive worship. “So when God calls for our worship, this isn’t a manifestation of pride. The knowledge and worship of God is the highest good possible. Not only this, worship expresses an awareness of God’s—and thus our—proper place in the order of things, and it also transforms us into what we were designed to be” (Paul Copan). God’s desire to be known is not conceit but a revelation of reality.

3. GOD HAS EVERY RIGHT TO BE JEALOUS

We often associate jealousy with selfishness or insecurity, but there is such a thing as righteous jealousy. A spouse who is protective when someone threatens the marriage has a rightful response. God had a covenant relationship with ancient Israel, so it was expected that He would be jealous when they turned to idols. Believers today share a similar relationship with Him. We are chosen and redeemed; Scripture even calls the church the bride of Christ (Rev. 19:7-9; 2 Cor. 11:2). To pursue sinful, worldly things instead of God is spiritual adultery (James 4:4). “God’s jealousy surfaces so that the person might abandon her death-seeking goals and return to an abundant life. Divine jealousy should be seen as God’s willing the best for his creatures” (Copan, 2008).

4. THE ULTIMATE PROOF OF HUMILITY

Anyone accusing God of arrogance must reckon with the life of Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate display of God’s humility: “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8). God gains nothing from human recognition—He is God whether or not people worship Him. Yet, out of sheer mercy, He humbled Himself to save those who rebelled against Him.  Stay Curious.

Source and Study:

Copan, P. (2008). Why is God so arrogant and egotistical? In When God goes to Starbucks: A Guide to Everyday Apologetics (pp. 87–96). Baker Books.

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