Is God only Love?

Discussion in 'Christianity' started by motherwillow72, Jul 15, 2012.

  1. Ukr-Cdn

    Ukr-Cdn Striving towards holiness

    Messages:
    1,705
    Likes Received:
    4
    Also could be described as mercy and justice.

    To continue what Okie had going on, whenever we speak of Gog we necessarily make it a metaphor. God cannot be encapsulated by human language and therefore we use human concepts of love (which can be corrupted) to describe God.
     
  2. MyLee Jones

    MyLee Jones Member

    Messages:
    103
    Likes Received:
    1
    yes, it could be called that also
     
  3. OlderWaterBrother

    OlderWaterBrother May you drink deeply Lifetime Supporter

    Messages:
    10,073
    Likes Received:
    138
    I just had to address this.

    Tell me, do you consider the the guidelines from the American Heart Association to be something "just to keep us "in line""?

    When your father told you not to play in the street was he just trying to keep you "in line" or was he trying to keep you alive so you could enjoy a long full life?

    God who designed and created us, knows us better than anyone else, wouldn't he also know what would give us the best life we could possibly have?

    Tell me, will living according to the Bible principles of love and kindness turn us into mindless cookie cutter robots or just make our lives better?

    Are such principles there just to keep us "in line"?
     
  4. motherwillow72

    motherwillow72 Guest

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Maybe keep us "in line" wasn't the best choice of words. I meant that they are there so that we have guidelines on how to live so that our society will be a (relatively) peaceful one. They are there so that we know when we have overstepped into a negative area that will cause distress and hurt and disruption. Kind of like what laws were intended to be for. I think that is what sin was meant to be, because when you arent sinning then you shouldnt be doing anything hurtful to people and the society you live in either.

    However people can take it and become self righteous and judgemental of others and because no-one is perfect use it to point out others faults, and also use it as a weapon, as something to put the fear into others. "you aren't behaving as we would like, you are sinning, therefore dont associate with me and your'e going to go to hell". It isnt the idea and concept of "sin" that is the problem, it's what people do with it i.e powertrip
     
  5. OlderWaterBrother

    OlderWaterBrother May you drink deeply Lifetime Supporter

    Messages:
    10,073
    Likes Received:
    138
    If I understand what you are saying, it would seem I agree.

    One of the big difficulties that people have with the Bible is that most people want to judgmentally apply it to others instead of themselves.

    If someone wants to know what the Bible says fine, you can defend your faith if you wish and the Bible can help you to help others but the study of the Bible is for self correction first.
     
  6. motherwillow72

    motherwillow72 Guest

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    older water brother I agree with you, it is there to help us as individuals, to become more loving and peaceful, and in turn when we become more of what it says in the bible the society we live in will also become a better place.

    I don't think there is anything in there that is so overly confusing, yet so many people try to make it so. To study it to fit their own purposes, to pick and choose.

    I love this quote from soren kierkgaard
    “The Bible is very easy to understand. But we Christians are a bunch of scheming swindlers. We pretend to be unable to understand it because we know very well that the minute we understand, we are obliged to act accordingly."

    I think at the heart of it the bible tells us to be more loving, to make choices based on how to best love others, and that will lead us into love, into enlightenment or heave, whatever you want to call it. All the christian scholarship just gets it more complicated and less easy for people to see to the heart of it really.
     
  7. OlderWaterBrother

    OlderWaterBrother May you drink deeply Lifetime Supporter

    Messages:
    10,073
    Likes Received:
    138
    Thanx, I loved the quote and laughed quite heartily. :smilielol5:

    In my discussions here, I often run into people that work so hard to dismiss the Bible and and what it says, generally because they want to do something in their lives that the God's word disagrees with.
     
  8. motherwillow72

    motherwillow72 Guest

    Messages:
    16
    Likes Received:
    0
    Absolutely. And people feel the need to dismiss it as rubbish because they then feel more justified in doing what they want and its easier to ignore those who want to use it to judge them for those acts.

    If at the heart of the bible it is encouraging us to just be more loving, to make our life's decisions on "how can I love people more" or "will this decision help bring love into this situation" then does that mean that we cant dismiss other religions either? I have been, as most christians have, taught that the bible leads only to God ad that any other religion is incorrect therefore to be dismissed and judged... i know its a topic thats been covered a million times, but one i have never really delved into
     
  9. OlderWaterBrother

    OlderWaterBrother May you drink deeply Lifetime Supporter

    Messages:
    10,073
    Likes Received:
    138
    Really not on topic but since this is your thread we can go there if you want.

    One of the big problems with living your life according to the principles of love is that this system of things that we live in has corrupted the meaning of the word Love. It fact, I've talked to those who will argue vehemently that love and sex are the same thing.

    So when we think of other religions we have to think of what is truly the loving thing to do. Not what society thinks is the loving thing but what God thinks is the loving thing.

    So who is our foremost example of how to display love? Jesus. So how did Jesus feel, not just about about other religions but even about that those who studied the Bible but used it incorrectly?

    God says that his people are in all religions but he calls for them to come out of those religions.

    So as Christians we must follow Jesus' example and treat all that we meet lovingly as God's people but we must not fall into the trap of believing that all roads lead to God.
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice