In their “American Piety in the 21st Century” study, Baylor University and the Gallup Organization asked 1,721 survey participants about God’s character and behavior. They discovered that contemporary Americans worship at least four versions of the Almighty.

First, there’s Authoritarian God, who is seen as highly involved in believers’ lives and in world affairs, but who is ready to throw the thunderbolt of judgment on the ungodly.

Then there’s Benevolent God, who still sets absolute standards for mankind in the Bible, but is seen primarily as a forgiving God, more like the father who embraces His prodigal son.

Believers in Critical God understand Him as the classic bearded grandfather in the sky, who looks at the world in disapproval, but does not intervene-to punish or to comfort.

Finally, there’s Distant God, who is not active in humanity’s affairs at all, and is not especially angry either. Distant God is more of a cosmic force who set the laws of nature in motion and has left the universe spinning on its own.

Authoritarian, benevolent, critical, or distant-which is most accurate? Which do you believe God to be?

Moses once stood before God, shivering in awe as God declared, “I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. . . . But I do not excuse the guilty” (Exodus 34:6-7). God is holy, not indifferent; engaged, not distant; a “heartbeat,” not some impersonal electrical current. As to doubts about His personal nature, God wrapped Himself in humanity and lived out His character before us in Jesus-who loved and forgave and got angry at injustice.

Contemporary understandings of God are confused. Today, let’s discover afresh the One who went to the most extraordinary lengths to make Himself known.