The alternative to Yahweh in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament is idols. Idolatry is forbidden and idolaters condemned by Yahweh.
A God of Hate
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The alternative to Yahweh in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament is idols. Idolatry is forbidden and idolaters condemned by Yahweh.
amigo de christo
Well-Known Member
Such a person dont exist , perhaps only in the minds of themselves .
Thus the TRUTH remains , there is none who is good but GOD
and thus all must REPENT to BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST or perish they surely will .
But He doesn't scare you Huh? You're sooooooo much bigger. If I had to quit following Jesus to follow you, I'd rather drink poison!
waterlilyoflife
Member
You know, I have read so many hateful, violent, bloody shocking passages in the Bible that they hurt me deeply, break my heart and make me not want to be a Christian anymore. Why does God have to hurt people? I don't know what to say to atheist who question those dark difficult verses in the Bible. I mean, I've been a Christian practically all my life and there are parts of the Bible that still disturb me, I don't know what to do, just ignore them. But that does not make them go away. Sooner or later I have to deal with them. I wonder if some Christians have hearts the way they callousely breeze through bloodthirsty violent parts of the Bible, the verses with no justice where women are abused, the suffering, hate, cruelty. I am afraid to read the Bible sometimes. This is also why I don't go to church. Give me love, only love.
I feel the pain, the sadness and the frustration in your words. In such times, step back, sit down, be still, and pray. Don’t entertain the thought of falling away.
”Because of this, many of Jesus’ followers turned back and would not go with him any more. So he asked the twelve disciples, ‘And you - would you also like to leave?’ Simon Peter answered him, ‘Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. And now we believe and know that you are the Holy One who has come from God.’”
(John 6:66-69)
Where would you go?
When I was a college student I had a professor who had a lecture he delivered every semester to students taking his Old Testament Survey class. It was titled “God, as told by God.” It was based on Exodus 34:6-7. I’ve listened to and forgotten many lectures but that one made a lasting impression on me. I’ve found meditating on God’s character, beholding what Paul called the kindness and severity of God to be beneficial.
Atheists, generally speaking, are looking for reasons not to believe. They stand opposed to the God who is kind to them. They experience his kindness. If they don’t repent they will experience his severity.
One day while visiting my grandmother she closed the Bible she had been reading and had a pained expression on her face. When I asked what was troubling her she replied, “Why is the Bible filled with such meanness?” I was taken aback by her question but felt compelled to answer. I simply said, “The Bible contains the story of God and man. The rebellion of man against God is exhibited in meanness and God, out of love, has to respond to it.”
One has to be properly equipped to deal with them. Something is lacking in our training when we no longer want to be Christian. When in that condition, we won’t be able to deal effectively with others.
How many do you know who are acting that way?
In those times, perhaps you could remind yourself about how many times the admonition “Don’t be afraid” is given in scripture.
Have you discussed it with a pastor?
Love is a key attribute, but not the only attribute, of the living God.
Don’t give up, waterlilyoflife. Don’t ever give up.
waterlilyoflife
Member
Who in modern day America kills someone for their religious beliefs? That's called murder, of course it is against the law, Modern day Christians do not believe in violence and killing, we believe in winning people over with love, kindness, compassion, and mercy. I believe in a God of love, mercy,forgiveness, justice and compassion. Read Psalms and Proverbs. I also suggest you read Isaiah.
God the Father did not force God the Son to die on the cross. Jesus Christ willingly gave up his life, because he loves, people, human beings are the 'apple of his eye'. Jesus loves us, he went willingly to the cross. It is Valentine's Day, then there is Easter, when we celebrate God's love.
God the Father did not force God the Son to die on the cross. Jesus Christ willingly gave up his life, because he loves, people, human beings are the 'apple of his eye'. Jesus loves us, he went willingly to the cross. It is Valentine's Day, then there is Easter, when we celebrate God's love.
Rich R
Well-Known Member
Well thought out, but why choose the parts that say God is a God of genocide and disregard the parts that say He is a God of love and mercy? Why not go the other way around and become a Christian?
I'm being a bit facetious. The fact is, there is a way to understand the seeming contradiction. There are reasons God is portrayed in such a bad light at times in the OT. Briefly, God worked with a people immersed in a culture that made it virtually impossible for Him to reveal His true nature. There are many places that say Israel could not understand Him. God had to let them think things about Himself that were really not true. He accommodated their Ancient Near East worldview. He know He'd straighten out out later, when Jesus came. Jesus remove the veil over the face of Israel (2 Cor 3:13). Jesus is said to be the perfect image of God, that he revealed his Father. Did Jesus ever kill anyone?
You should also realize that this world is not the one God created. The original world was all good (Gen 1:31). Part of that good was to give people dominion over the world (Gen 1:26). Contrary to popular belief, God is not in charge of every little detail. Adam was not only in charge, but he had free will (something you seemingly would have God take away). He could obey God or not. God told him what would happen if he disobeyed, namely that death would enter the scene. Well, Adam didn't listen and sure enough death entered the scene. So who. or what, is really responsible for death?
Rom 5:12,
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Rom 6:23,For the wages of sin [is] death; but the gift of God [is] eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Of course Romans was written some time after Jesus removed the veil and revealed the true nature of God. I could go into more detail, but that's the long and short of it.
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