I’m still trying to work up some fear. If you see logic with this graphic posted on an Internet atheism community, then apparently that’s the basis of my faith (not “religion” – that’s a nasty word).
If I am to believe this graphic, then I came to a place of fear at age 42 – after reading many books from a variety of perspectives, debating several brave Christians and thinking long and hard about how this planet works.
After all that, I decided to follow Jesus Christ — whom serious Christians believe is the Son of God — because I simply became more and more fearful.
NOT.
There’s no doubt that ‘fear of the lord’ is mentioned in the Bible. Often, in fact. Here are just a few examples:
- Wisdom begins with fear and respect for the Lord. (Psalm 110)
- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (Psalm 111)
- A simple life in the Fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. (Proverbs 15)
- Happy is the one who always fears the Lord, but the person who hardens his heart to God falls into misfortune. (Proverbs 28)
As I scanned these and so many other passages in the Bible, it became plain that there are good reasons to fear the Lord:
1. Fear the possibility of disappointing Him. God knows my potential. He knows yours, too. In fact, He put that potential into you and me. So I fear not living up to that potential, of not truly letting Him into my life so He can make me all that I can be.
2. Fear mixing up who is in charge. I don’t know about you, but in North American culture, I need constant reminders that God is God. And I am NOT, no matter how many channels I can get on TV, no matter how many pills I can take to try and extend my life & health, no matter how often I’m told that I have control over everything.
3. Fear makes at least some sense when approaching the creator of space, time and the air you and I breathe. I heard one pastor liken it to approaching a massive, stunning waterfall like Niagara. We want to come close, but we also know that if we get too close, the water could drown us. And yet we still cautiously approach because it’s just so amazing, so glorious, so spectacular. We want to be in its presence.
Does this make sense? Yes or no, post your thoughts and let’s have a conversation.
Frank's Cottage 
I think the meme you posted is referring more to the fear of death than the fear of God. Most humans are afraid of dying, death and non-existence, and virtually all religions promise us that we will not die as a means to compel compliance with their dogma.
Thanks for your interpretation. Gotta say, I’m not interested in anything to do with “religion” and there are many blogs on Frank’s Cottage that explain why.
In addition I’ve found, through many, many interactions with atheists — which you’ve told me you are from previous comments — that there is a pretty clear “dogma” associated with atheism. What does that dogma say about death?
Yes, Christianity is a religion.
No, there is absolutely zero dogma associated with atheism, and atheism says absolutely nothing about death.
Of course, you already know these things. It’s so sad that even after all these years you still cannot be honest. What a sad reflection on your worldview.
It saddens me deeply that, after publishing so many blogs clearly explaining the vast differences between faith and religion, so many people refuse to consider those explanations with an open, mature mind.
I’m simply crestfallen at how that reflects on the worldview of people in the atheist faith. 😦
I love the analogy of approaching Niagara Falls as approaching God. Perfect!
In my Christian experience, faith drives out fear. We have nothing to be afraid of when God is large and in charge, but in our human weakness, we do tend to forget that sometimes, don’t we?
Blessings, Frank!
Thank you, as always, for your excellent thoughts, Martha. 🙂