Face-to-Face

Trey Smith

If you read the Old Testament, there are many instances in which Moses and the various prophets meet God face-to-face, as it were. When these events happen, the humans tend to bow their faces, avert their eyes and many trembled in fear. Modern-day Christians, particularly those of a fundamentalist bent, say that they believe these stories word-for-word -- these stories represent the sacred word of the almighty. And yet...

Many Christian politicians, religious leaders and everyday believers, particularly those who identify as evangelicals, will tell you that they regularly talk with God/Jesus. I've heard many describe it as talking with a pal or buddy. There are no burning bushes. No bowing down. No requirement to avert the eyes. And no trembling at the thought of the creator walking through the garden.

I find this discrepancy exceedingly odd. On the one hand, we have a group of individuals who have been lionized because they were handpicked by the creator to lead the people in times of distress and/or to prophetize. These folks are the ones who set the stage for everything that has come afterward. And these people were in absolute awe of his majesty.

On the other hand, modern-day Christians seem to have lost their sense of awe. They shoot the breeze with the Big Guy all the time. They talk about trivial matters (e.g., help to win the big game, advice on what to serve at a party, etc.) They talk about earthly concerns (e.g., should I accept the promotion, is this the right person to marry, etc.) Some even have long drawn-out discussions about presidential runs and political policies!

What I can't figure out is why the great prophets weren't able to establish the same kind of buddy-buddy relationship with the top dog. Why did they tremble and bow down, while many modern believers act almost orgasmic?