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The song I was taught as a youngster said, concerning “Santa Claus,” “He’s makin’ a list and checkin’ it twice, gonna’ find out who’s naughty or nice.” Somehow, that view of the old fellow has almost disappeared completely. The view that now seems to prevail is that “Santa” is always jolly, never becomes angry with anyone and regardless of whether one is naughty or nice, he brings gifts to all alike. Now, I suppose that since “Santa” is an imaginary fellow to begin with (sorry if I shattered the illusions of some!), it makes little difference what view we hold of his personality. If we’re going to invent someone, we may as well invent him as we want him to be, right?
The matter that concerns me is that “Santa” seems to be a figure for God in the minds of many people. This has probably been so from the beginning of the “Santa Claus” myth. Therefore, when the concept one has of him is transferred to God (whether consciously or subconsciously makes little difference), our concept of God becomes very different from what the Bible says about him.
I think it can hardly be denied that for several years now there has been a growing tendency to ignore, if not actually to deny, that God ever becomes angry, that He takes notice of the evil as well as the good in men and that He will eventually pour out His wrath upon all evil. Likewise, Christ, Himself God, has been popularly depicted as a long-haired, effeminate type who never raised His voice. Who always spoke only in carefully measured tones of kindest agreement with everyone and Who was incapable of anger. Much of the world that claims to believe in God and His Son hold the doctrine of Universalism to one degree or another. Basically, this doctrine holds that God “is too good to condemn anybody to Hell” and that “eternal torment is inconsistent with the love of God.” Although they would deny it, this is essentially the view of the denominations. Their argument is that as long as you “believe in Christ” (by their definition), you can believe and practice about anything you want to, and it matters not to God. He will take you home to glory, anyway. It is a heartbreaking concern of many of us in the Lord’s church that some of our own preachers, professors and editors are openly espousing essentially these views.
Such views reflect more of the popular “Santa Claus syndrome” than they do Bible doctrine on the personality of God. Yes, God is one of consuming love and abundant grace. He also has a list (Luke 10:20) of those who are “nice”, (by His revealed definition, 2 Cor. 5:10; Mat. 7:21–23) and he need check it only once (Rev. 20:15). Take care not to confuse “Santa” with God!
[Note: I wrote this article for and it was published in The Edifier, weekly bulletin of Pearl Street Church of Christ, Denton, TX, December 10, 1987, of which I was editor.]
Attribution: From thescripturecache.com; Dub McClish, owner and administrator.
