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The Theology of Goliath

Today’s preachers might tell David the following when he inquired about fighting Goliath in a man-to-man combat to the death, which would decide the fate of Israel:
“You’re presumptuously meddling with something that’s too far above your head. We don’t think you’re reformed in your thinking; the sovereign God can take care of that giant. Leave it to the professionals. You’ll be killed needlessly, thus bringing discredit on the cause of the kingdom. It’s just boasting by that giant; you don’t want to get into some type of proud game of ‘I dare you,’ do you? You’ll be just as bad as Goliath by stooping to his level of violence and antagonism. It’s peace and reconciliation that we must have, not fighting and arguing. Who knows? Perhaps his religious beliefs have some value; how are you so sure that you’re completely right? Can’t we learn from others through common grace? Why be so exclusive; maybe we should live and let live with the Philistines. Any way, it’s political; why get tangled up in such?! God has no specific template as to how His people are supposed to be ruled. Perhaps we’ll get more evangelism accomplished if we’re persecuted under Philistine rule? ”

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Clash of the Titans – 2d post

Clash of the Titans – Arminian Theology Undercut

One aspect of this movie that completely undercuts it theologically is the idea that men’s prayers fuel the gods. Maybe men can fuel demons, but God is totally self-sufficient, aseity as the theologians call it. It means His Self alone is all He needs. This aspect of the true Creator God is one reason man should fall on his face before Him and acknowledge their utter and complete dependence upon Him. Another reason is man’s uncleanness, which the movie (and the ancient mythologies) does not deal with at all.

At the end of it all and despite all his attempts to avoid it, Perseus becomes like “them,” i.e., the gods. He uses their power, and he ends up defending one god, Zeus, from another god, Hades. It’s like being on the side of the “white” witches against the “black” witches. You merely end up defending witchcraft, which represents a rebellion against the sovereign God’s order. Likewise, Perseus, as Zeus aptly put it at the end, will end up being worshipped as a god.

So, what about Christian denominations that teach that man is capable of reaching God? They often teach that the Calvinistic doctrine of the sovereign and gracious choice of God in saving individuals is wrong? Do they not accomplish a similar futility, while claiming to teach Christianity? Teaching humanism instead of the true faith?