“Wrath” is a word that evokes strong emotion, so as we worked our way through the Wrath of the Lamb series, we wanted to see how some of y’all were processing this word.
Several of our Gathering Group participants volunteered to share how they were thinking about wrath. Gathering Groups meet weekly to discuss the sermons, sharing their thoughts and feelings and exchanging perspectives. They don’t shy away from tough topics like wrath! Here are thoughts from four Gathering Group members as they processed what wrath means.
Janet (Minnesota)
I was always confused when I heard the term “wrath of God” because I grew up in a fairly progressive Lutheran church and was never taught that God wanted to take revenge on his creation. It was kind of one of those terms I’d hear but not understand and didn’t worry about too much. I had a feeling that certain interpretations weren’t quite right, but I couldn’t articulate why I thought that or how I could justify my feelings. Woodland Hills has given me the actual facts and understanding to back up those feelings!
Brian (Connecticut)
In a lot of ways, the whole wrath thing is tough for me, not at the level of words, but at the level of slowly learning to trust God. Coming from a very religious home, I’m one of many people who have “religious trauma.” And of course, a lot of religious trauma has wrath connected with it. Sometimes that comes from parents or other abusive authority figures, who justify violent harm in the name of a wrathful God. I remember being totally shocked when, after a terrible argument with my abusive (cult leader) dad, I left to drive to a tutoring job and felt God comfort me. That was shocking because it was God comforting and consoling me, when I fully expected God to be on my dad’s side of the argument. So it has been a long road of healing and renewal since then. I think that the vision of salvation offered in Greg’s sermons, is very hopeful and freeing.
Marj (Canada)
Romans 12:19 says “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” I am starting to see in Scripture that wrath is (as Greg has said) the consequence or byproduct of sin. Wrath is built into sin as a consequence.
Aaron (Maryland)
I held the common flat earthly human view of wrath, but as I’ve gotten to better understand the depth of God‘s love, I see it more like passion. Many times what our human perception would see as aggressive passion inhibits us from seeing God‘s love and character clearly.
How has this series shaped your perspective on wrath? Feel free to share your story here. And if you’re interested in going deeper into these types of topics, you can join a Gathering Group here.
