Ideas

Divine Drama Queen

Columnist; Contributor

But I’d secretly rather have a God who is a non-anxious presence.

Christianity Today July 15, 2010

Columnist's Note: You came here looking for a column I wrote called “The Divine Drama Queen.” The purpose of the column was to suggest how passionately God cares about us, and to what extremes he will go to secure a relationship with us. Because the Bible uses dramatic images in conveying these truths, I used dramatic human examples and hyperbole to reinforce the biblical point. While most readers understood what I was driving at, some did not. Worse, some have been offended by the column, feeling I have denigrated the holiness of God.

This is troubling on two accounts. Those familiar with my writing know that the holiness of God is one of my themes—this is a significant element in my Jesus Mean and Wild,and especiallyA Great and Terrible Love. And those who know me personally understand that, while I'm not adverse to challenging and provoking, I take no pleasure in offending the very readers I'm trying to persuade or edify.

Enough readers have missed the point of this column to suggest that it is not doing what I intended it to do. Thus I have taken it down. If you want to understand what I'm driving at in my writing, you can read my other columns or pick up a copy of one of my books.

Mark Galli is senior managing editor of Christianity Today. He is author of Jesus Mean and Wild: The Unexpected Love of an Untamable God (Baker).

Copyright © 2010 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Related Elsewhere:

Previous SoulWork columns include:

The God Who Became Blood | What my dysfunctional prostate taught me about Jesus. (June 24, 2010)

The Lord Who Acts Like It | Where did we get the idea that the church should be a place that makes people feel comfortable? (June 10, 2010)

Judgment in the Gulf | Woes and blessings of the oil spill. (June 1, 2010)

Our Latest

Stephen Miller Is Wrong About the World

The homeland security adviser is right that the international arena is anarchic. But a devilish world order is not the solution.

Died: Gospel Legend Richard Smallwood

The composer of “Total Praise” worked with numerous celebrities but put the gospel first.

News

Texas Law Aims to Stop Abortion Drugs at the State Line

Neighbors can now sue each other over mail-order drugs. Pro-life advocates are divided on the tactic.

‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Helped a Missionary Talk About Jesus

Jennifer Park

But some believers remain wary of adapting the popular music genre for worship, so Christian K-pop isn’t going up, up, up.

News

CDC Job Uncertainty Prompts Atlanta Churches to Offer Practical Care

Laid-off employees receive job coaching, prayer support, from local congregations.

Public Theology Project

Christians, Let’s Stop Abusing Romans 13

Believers often use the passage to wave away state violence, but that’s the opposite of what Paul intended.

News

The 50 Countries Where It’s Most Dangerous for Christians in 2026

From Syria to Sudan, believers around the world face increasing oppression and persecution.

Christian Writer Daniel Nayeri Dreams from Home

Jonathon Crump

Lying on the floor of his mauve-walled writing shed, the celebrated YA author writes himself around the world.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube