Written By: Chris Barber

In the Western Christian world, there seems to be this idea that God’s center is all about His glory. Basically, the idea is quite simply that everything God does is to further His own glory. This would mean that everything He does, from how he interacts with himself (as the triune God), to His creating the universe, to his interaction with that universe (and correspondingly us as human beings) was and is all done for the central purpose of bringing Himself more glory. This would also mean (if He knows the future as most Christians believe He does) that all creation was created primarily to give God more glory. In Western Christian beliefs, there is a prevailing notion that God’s primary focus is on His own glory. This means that every action of God, from His interactions within the Trinity to the creation of the universe and His relationship with it, and us as individuals, is ultimately geared towards magnifying His own glory. This view also suggests that if God knows the future, as most Christians believe, all creation was fundamentally created to bring God more glory.

Now, while it is obvious that God is absolutely glorious and deserves all the glory we can muster, the truth is that this view of God has many flaws. First, if he is already absolutely full of glory why does he need to make creatures to give him more glory. He would be creating as if He were in need of us to expand His glory. In addition to this, if God knows what’s going to happen and his primary goal is to make sure everything happens so that he gets the most glory, than one must conclude that everything that does happen, either good or evil, is what was needed to happen to bring him utmost glory. This means that both the good and the evil is planned out by Him and thus exhorting Christians to live good lives that bring Him glory is nonsensical because they can not help but do so, whether they are good or not they are doing exactly what brings Him the most glory and unbelievers are just the same. To live a Godly life that reflects God and his character than would be to live a selfish one where each person is seeking to get as much glory as he can. For that is what best reflects God’s character and image in this view of God doing everything with the selfish motive of bringing himself Glory at whatever cost.It’s evident that God is undeniably glorious and deserving of all the praise we can offer. Nevertheless, there are certain shortcomings in this perspective. Firstly, if God is already fully adorned with glory, what compels Him to create beings to augment His glory? It seems as though He creates out of a sense of need for us to magnify His glory. Moreover, if God is omniscient and His paramount goal is to ensure that everything occurs to maximize His glory, then it follows that all events, whether good or evil, are predetermined to bring Him the utmost glory. This implies that both good and evil are orchestrated by Him, rendering the exhortation for Christians to lead good lives aimed at glorifying Him nonsensical, since they are bound to do so regardless of their actions. Unbelievers are in the same predicament. Consequently, living a godly life reflective of God’s character equates to living a self-centered life where every individual strives to amass as much glory as possible. This best mirrors God’s character and image in this view, where He orchestrates everything with the self-serving purpose of attaining glory regardless of the consequences.

However, perhaps more importantly than the philosophical reasons (like the ones listed above) would be the fact that this runs fully contradictory to certain passages of scripture. For example 1 John 4:8 closes by stating very clearly that, “God is love.” Now the word love in English can mean many things but scripturally speaking this word love is the Greek word Agape and that word gets a full scriptural definition in 1 Corinthians 13 (for more details on Agape feel free to check out the Greek word study section on this site). There (in 1 Corinthians 13:5) it clearly states that Agape, “is not self seeking.” This is a problem for, if scripturally speaking God is love and love (scripturally speaking) is not self seeking than how can God be basically amounted to doing everything just for Himself and his Glory’s sake (as many seem to claim). That would seem a plain contradiction to scripture.The passage from 1 John 4:8 is clear in stating that “God is love,” using the Greek word Agape, which has a specific definition in 1 Corinthians 13. According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, Agape “is not self-seeking.” Therefore, if God is indeed love, and love is defined as not self-seeking, it would contradict the notion of God acting solely for His own glory. This interpretation conflicts with the scriptural definition of love.The passage from 1 John 4:8 is clear in stating that “God is love,” using the Greek word Agape, which has a specific definition in 1 Corinthians 13. According to 1 Corinthians 13:5, Agape “is not self-seeking.” Therefore, if God is indeed love, and love is defined as not self-seeking, it would contradict the notion of God acting solely for His own glory. This interpretation conflicts with the scriptural definition of love.

To say (as many do) that God creates man for the purpose of His glory. Is to say that God at His core is self centered; however, this is not God at His core. God at his core is self sacrificing relational love (Agape). God created man in His image to, in their freedom of will, love relationally and freedom is necessary for all relational self- sacrificing (agape)love to be possible. After all, if one does not have their own will than their is not something to sacrifice on behalf of another. So God created man like this with freedom because at His core God is self-sacrificing relational love. In light of this, it is when mankind lives in God’s image and likeness of self-sacrificing relational love that God gets glory because in this they are reflecting who God is and correspondingly showing the world His absolute glory! In this way the purpose of man is to love and be loved with both God and fellow man. For that is the glory of God.The concept of God creating man for His own glory might suggest a self-centered nature, but in reality, God’s essence is self-sacrificing relational love (Agape). This love requires freedom, as without free will, there can be no genuine sacrifice for others. God created man in His image for this purpose, so that through their freedom, they can reflect His self-sacrificing love. When humans live out this love, they not only reflect who God is, but also display His absolute glory to the world. Thus, the true purpose of man is to reciprocate love with both God and fellow humans, thereby manifesting the glory of God.

So in light of all this, what may need changing then is actually what it is at center of God’s character and actions. Perhaps, a much better definition of his center would be that which was given us by scripture itself as mentioned earlier, God is Love! This makes much more sense given the narrative throughout scripture and especially the New Testament where he clearly is not self seeking but instead doing things that serves others as He self sacrifices Himself on their behalf. If this is true it would also help us see that as creatures created in the image of God himself we have been created to live in his likeness of selfless love. Therefore, in this view we are (instead of being created in the image of a creator who is self seeking and trying to live in this likeness) we are created with the intention of being God’s image and likeness of selfless love. When we mature in this and become His image we then reveal His glory to the world!Given all this, it’s essential to reconsider what lies at the core of God’s character and actions. A more fitting definition of His essence is found in the scriptures: God is Love! This understanding aligns with the narrative throughout scripture, especially the New Testament, where He consistently serves others and makes selfless sacrifices on their behalf. If we embrace this truth, we realize that as beings created in the image of God, we are meant to embody His selfless love. Rather than being made in the likeness of a self-seeking creator, we are intentionally designed to reflect God’s image of selfless love. As we grow in this likeness, we reveal His glory to the world!