Sententious stuff; but one thing that’s always irked me about Christianity is the widespread notion that the Almighty can be manipulated like some sort of natural phenomenon, simply by using the correct kind of incantation.
Exactly. All these people could have been healed, saved, etc... if only they had known the proper way to ask for it!
Evidence of the fall. It is our nature to want to control everything. And it is our overwhelming arrogance to think we can.
“Sententious stuff; but one thing that’s always irked me about Christianity is the widespread notion that the Almighty can be manipulated like some sort of natural phenomenon, simply by using the correct kind of incantation.”
It’s not proper to say “Christianity” universally includes all these beliefs.
But your point is true. What these people will say is that they are not “manipulating” God, but that God has singled them out for healing. To you and I it’s a distinction without a difference, but not to them.
I am unfortunate enough to know about this false teaching within my own family. These folks are as stubborn as they are misguided.
I believe you'll find it's only certain segments of Christianity who believe God can be manipulated. Look up the origin of the phrase "hocus pocus" and you'll see one such example. Look up the phrase "synergism" (the belief that people choose to be "saved" via an act of inviolable "free will") for others. The Reformation churches did/do not teach what you describe, however.