The Candy Man Can

Acts 17:29–31 (NIV)

²⁹ “Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by human design and skill. ³⁰ In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. ³¹ For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”

I know this passage is talking about idols. Yet, as I read it, that we should not think of the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, I read that we shouldn’t think of God as a candyman, or like Santa Claus. He’s not there to give us our every wish. He’s not there to give us whatever we want, whatever we ask for, or whatever we think we need. He’s overlooking such ignorance. But someday, he’s going to make things happen in judgment and we’ll be sorry that we ever thought of God as if he’s just handing out candy whenever we feel like it.

 17:22–31 In his speech before the council, Paul compliments their piety and he refers to an altar inscribed TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. He declares he has come to speak about that God. Paraphrasing the language and concepts of the Sabbath commandment (Ex. 20:8–11), Paul announces God to be the Creator who—unlike the gods so prevalent in Athens—cannot be contained by temples nor needs the service of priests and priestesses (Acts 17:24–25). Paul uses citations from their own, ancient poets (Epimenides, Aratus, Cleanthes) to underline the point that God as Creator is the Source of all human life (vv. 26–28; compare 14:15). He argues against worshiping idols: How can we, who are created by God, create gods and worship them? (see v. 29; note on 19:24–27; compare Is. 44:9–20). Through the speech he has shown the beginning of the human story—Creation. As he concludes, he highlights the end of the human story—God’s appointed day for judgment and the determinative role of Jesus (Acts 17:30–31). Even here, Paul witnesses boldly about Jesus. For more on the centrality of JUDGMENT, see Eccl. 12:13–14; Rom. 14:10, 12; Heb. 9:27; Rev. 14:6–7.

 Dybdahl, J. L. (Ed.). (2010). Andrews Study Bible Notes (p. 1448). Berrien Springs, MI: Andrews University Press.

29. The offspring of God. The apostle immediately uses the words of the Greek poet (see on v. 28) to combat idolatry. If we are indeed God’s “offspring,” our conception of Him should mount upward, rather than descend to idols, which, being made by men, are below them. Although he subscribes to the same truth that is uttered by the OT prophets (1 Kings 18:27; Ps. 135:15–18; Isa. 44:9–20), Paul’s tone in speaking of idolatry is very different from theirs. He has studied the beginning of idolatry, and instead of speaking of it with scorn, hatred, and derision, he speaks of it with pity toward those who are its victims.

 Nichol, F. D. (Ed.). (1980). The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary (Vol. 6, p. 354). Review and Herald Publishing Association.

Really, truly, if God is only a candyman to us, then we are idolaters. There is no other option. If we only want God to give us what we want, then we are worshipping the idols of stuff, of things, of gold and silver and stone – and metal, and glass, and electronics, and whatever it is.