Deism is a worldview that believes that God created the world, but is no longer involved in it. Often, we as Christians can fall into a deistic mindset. Because of prayers that seem to go unanswered, troubles that seem so meaningless, and emotions that are devoid of God’s presence, we begin to doubt God’s love, presence, and concern for our well-being.

I have preached sermons on “Christian deism.” The Scriptures, oddly enough, give us comfort as they illustrate through the lives of God’s people that the temptation to move into Christian deism is and will be common for us.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 10:1, “Why, Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?” While I believe all the Scripture is without error, I know that not all of Scripture is meant to be understood the same way. This particular passage of Scripture is not affirming God’s absence during trouble, but the real perception of His absence that can be felt when the world begins to crumble around you. Often times, life’s difficulties cause us to ask the question, “Is God really involved? Does He really care? Can He be in control and let this go on?”

The Psalmist goes on about the wicked, “For the wicked boasts of the desires of his soul, and the one greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord. In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God.’ His ways prosper at all times; your judgments are on high, out of his sight; as for all his foes, he puffs at them. He says in his heart, ‘I shall not be moved; throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.’” (Ps. 10:3-6)

It seems that this is often the case. God’s judgments are on high. God’s judgments do not find their way to the mundane happenings as we believe they should. We think to ourselves, “Has God gone on vacation?” “Is God taking a rest?” “Has God been defeated and we did not get the memo?” “If not, how can He allow this to happen to me?”

I have seen those who entertain such thoughts abandon the Christian worldview in favor of deism. They decide that God is absent from their lives. They turn to other means to help them deal with their troubles.

While this adoption of deism is understandable, it is unfortunate. It is understandable because the Scriptures confirm to us that it often seems as if God has taken a break or gone on vacation. Yet, the Scriptures never confirm this to be the case. While we might join with the Psalmist in our perception of God’s absence, it is never actually the case. God is always present, even when it seems as if His judgments are on high. He may not reveal to us why, during times of trouble, He does not show His power more, but the simple fact that so many passages such as these are included in Scripture is God’s way of telling us, “My children, even though it will often seem as if I am unconcerned with your situation, do not let your perceptions be elevated above my word to you. I am with you. Be patient. I will make things right.”

Christian deism is a temptation, but not an option for the believer. God is with you even when He seems absent. Let us take hold of this truth this memorial day as we continue to find ourselves in the difficulty of war.

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