Is anger at God a display of arrogance?

[Anathama_Sit]

Having an alcoholic drink may also constitute a slippery slope. We are called to use prudential judgment in all things. We are given anger with the intention that we use it properly to combat evil. It may take the preparatory element of anger to solidify our defense when confronted with physical, or even spiritual evil. We are not given a license to use it at will, but rather in extremis, when no reasonable alternative exists.

Certainly, the desert fathers did not teach it, as they likely encountered physical evil rarely, if at all. Yet, spiritual violence calls for a form of spiritual anger, which is the consternation of the soul against the assault of the evil one. Dangerous ground, certainly, but we live in a spiritually and physically dangerous world. Prudential judgment, applied even in a split second, is the deciding factor.

Christ’s peace be with you.

Greetings Po18guy,

You sure do offer quite a bit of interesting things to consider. However, I guess where I am, I pretty much live a cloistered life other than attending classes and Mass. So I guess I have a hard time in understanding where you may be coming from. I live more an eremitical life than one of the world. I am discerning with my spiritual director whether I am called to religious life, if I am, it is definetely contemplative.

My spiritual director says that anger has no place in my life, and I do agree. However thank you for sharing your view.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[po18guy]

Greetings Po18guy,

You sure do offer quite a bit of interesting things to consider. However, I guess where I am, I pretty much live a cloistered life other than attending classes and Mass. So I guess I have a hard time in understanding where you may be coming from. I live more an eremitical life than one of the world. I am discerning with my spiritual director whether I am called to religious life, if I am, it is definetely contemplative.

My spiritual director says that anger has no place in my life, and I do agree. However thank you for sharing your view.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

Well, without knowing it specifically, I have been praying for you in my prayer for vocations. I shall continue, of course!

In our age, the term “anger” has an almost universally negative connotation. Yet, the Church teaches that passions are morally neutral. Anger is a passion, and one that we possess as part of our being. We are not given it without reason, or without the potential for its right use.

Anger against evil is motivated by love of the good. It is this spiritual anger that empowers us to defend our faith against the evil one’s heresies and detractions. Yet, it is not anger as in physical rage, but a passion stirred up by love of the good in order to defend the good against the assault of evil. Anger, when used in the defense of another’s life, is certainly not a negative, since it is our love of the gift of life; of human dignity, which compels us to physically defend the victim against the threat of evil.

Have a read of Catechism sections 1762 through 1765. There is enlightening substance within these short sections, and much to contemplate within them. I believe that you will view anger, and all of the passions, differently (as I did) after delving into Church teaching on the subject. It leads to the understanding of the self - extremely valuable to a vocation, whatever that vocation may be.

Thus, it would appear that anger toward God, Who is not evil, is a disordered passion. The proper order of the passion of anger is against evil.

 

[Anathama_Sit]

Well, without knowing it specifically, I have been praying for you in my prayer for vocations. I shall continue, of course!

In our age, the term “anger” has an almost universally negative connotation. Yet, the Church teaches that passions are morally neutral. Anger is a passion, and one that we possess as part of our being. We are not given it without reason, or without the potential for its right use.

Anger against evil is motivated by love of the good. It is this spiritual anger that empowers us to defend our faith against the evil one’s heresies and detractions. Yet, it is not anger as in physical rage, but a passion stirred up by love of the good in order to defend the good against the assault of evil. Anger, when used in the defense of another’s life, is certainly not a negative, since it is our love of the gift of life; of human dignity, which compels us to physically defend the victim against the threat of evil.

Have a read of Catechism sections 1762 through 1765. There is enlightening substance within these short sections, and much to contemplate within them. I believe that you will view anger, and all of the passions, differently (as I did) after delving into Church teaching on the subject. It leads to the understanding of the self - extremely valuable to a vocation, whatever that vocation may be.

Thus, it would appear that anger toward God, Who is not evil, is a disordered passion. The proper order of the passion of anger is against evil.

Greetings Po18guy,

Yes thank you for your prayers, I am in need of them. I probably will finish my Master’s and Doctorate’s in Sacred Theology.

I shall use those paragraphs of the CCC as my lectio divina reading today. If you wish we could contine this discussion in a Personal Message, I would hate to detract from the thread. I look forward to viewing anger from this manner.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[po18guy]

Greetings Po18guy,

Yes thank you for your prayers, I am in need of them. I probably will finish my Master’s and Doctorate’s in Sacred Theology.

I shall use those paragraphs of the CCC as my lectio divina reading today. If you wish we could contine this discussion in a Personal Message, I would hate to detract from the thread. I look forward to viewing anger from this manner.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

Actually, I think that is is on-topic, which is rare for me. What opened my eyes is that anger is morally neutral, but is to be used to defend the good. All else is a disordered passion. I think that addresses the OP exactly. However, I would also be glad to PM back and forth.

I was a police officer for 30 years, so my view of anger and its usefulness is much different from that of a peaceful soul like you. Now that I am retired, I seek to be more at peace. My anger, when kindled, now drives me in the spiritual realm to combat spiritual evil, which fairly well defines the atmosphere that surrounds us.

 

[po18guy]

Have a read of Catechism sections 1762 through 1765

**Correction: 1762-1775. They are still short sections. **

 

[Anathama_Sit]

**Correction: 1762-1775. They are still short sections. **

Greetings Po18guy,

Okay corrected sections noted. I will do this tomorrow by the grace of God. I should have it done by Monday at least. Today was hectic.

God Bless.
Anathama Sit

 

[josephback]

As we progress in our relationship with the Lord, even respectful complaining can be bypassed, as our trust in Him deepens, and we can skip that part.

Well you’re obviously further along than me.