Many Christians, therefore, assume that being angry is rooted in our sinful nature, has no place in the life a a mature Christian, and , if asked, will explain this as the biblical view.

I believe, in contrast, that our capacity for anger is one of God’s good gifts, intentionally rooted in creation and serving important purposes in human life. Though we can certainly sin with it, our anger also contributes to such life experiences as courage, hope, and intimacy. Anger is not necessarily contrary to love and can actually function as an expression of love. In fact, not being angry in some circumstances (such as in response to injustice and oppression) is to miss God’s claim on our lives. Compassionate anger is often necessary for Christians to “proclaim release to the captives” and “let the oppressed go free” (Luke 4:18).

Andrew Lester
The Angry Christian