seem unable to accept both sides of God (I am sure there are more than 2 but) some of us appear to see God as love and these say do not judge lest you be judged, and then there are those who see the side of God who judges and it is don't do this and don't do that (legalistic) and remember there is hell.
and yet God is evidently both but individuals have a hard time with putting the two together.
Isn't our God big enough to use a carrot and a stick??
Is it so hard to see that both can be used by one.
Is it impossible for your picture of God be that He either is smiling or He carries a big stick, can't He do both.
I just want to know if you lean far towards one of these poles what is it gets in your way to seeing the other side?? perhaps your parents, view of life, history, ??
I'll leave this up for a while as I know this might take some time to think over and for those who like thinking to find it
2007-01-07 02:31:22 · 10 answers · asked by icheeknows 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
God is our Father. He is the ultimate parent. To have a clear and accurate view of who God is we must accept that He is both of the sides that you talk of.
Human parents are not perfect, but God is. Human parents often times let other things cloud their judgment,but hopefully even they know that they can never be only one of the two sides you talk of without damaging the child.
God does not abuse His power and He does not let other people and things sway Him from doing the right thing in all situations. He is perfectly righteous.
2007-01-07 02:47:28 · answer #1 · answered by T W 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The two ideas are contradictory.
I'm sure that God could be a contradiction if He chose to be, but I doubt if this is the case.
I am more inclined to believe that contradiction exists in the world views of those who espouse these contradictory versions of God.
Those who see a loving world full of good people who occasionally make some errors in judgment but are trying to be the best that they can be, see a loving God.
Those who see a world full of bad people that can't be trusted, judge these people and divide them up as the good and the bad. These people can't see any possibility that God is not smart enough to realize that those they have judged to be the bad people don't deserve to be punished.
Both of these polarity's of thought generate ideas about God that are just as polarized as the ideas that generate them.
Love and blessings Don
2007-01-07 10:46:23 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you have only half of the concept correct, God is Love which is true, but he does not carry a big stick, He however is Holy and this is because of He is God, and all that is God is Holy Righteous Just. God's justice is perfect, His love is perfect. The cross defines both aspects: His holiness that must be satisfied and His love wich must be satisfied. The cross thus says it needs a willing sacrifice to that answer Christ was born to die for our sins as our representative before God and God's representative to us. Christ's sacrifice of atonement was not a satisfaction but a sacrificial love offering to man and a sacrificial sin offering for man and a sacrificial holy offering to bring in everlasting righteousness
2007-01-07 10:47:21 · answer #3 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree whole heartily however . . .. . . . .
the problem is as Christians we need to teach non believers of his love for them first.
God loves us so much yet Christians say . . . you don't believe you are going to hell. No we should be the example, we should show love, be as Christ like as we can, try to win souls and let God crack the whip.
It is a personal relationship I have and everyone has with the Lord. I need to strengthen my relationship and like a loving father he will show me his discipline.
God is big enough but it is not our job to beat people up if they don't believe. People beat themselves up enough.
When you accept Christ into your heart the Holy Spirit is in you and now you have a cord plugged in if you will to the utmost high. He will refine your spirit. It starts deeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep down.
God Bless
2007-01-07 10:39:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The more characteristics you endow this deity with the less credible it becomes. Why stop at loving and vengeful-if you're only interested in faith and don't care about evidence why not give it a whole range of human characteristics like gender etc.-just make it up as you go along.
2007-01-07 10:38:59 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
God IS love, but the responsibility of judgement also falls under the realm of his stewardship. (vengence is mine, sayeth the Lord) God has a responsibility to balance justice with mercy, and he is the only one who can do so perfectly as he can see within our hearts and our minds, where no man can.
2007-01-07 10:39:38 · answer #6 · answered by Christine5 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off God hates religion,Its religion that seperates his people..And if you "lean to one side" then your more narrow minded,Thats the problem with religion it makes you only able to see what is put in front of you nothing else you never turn to see someone elses point of view.(Im not bashing you im saying in general)Thats the problem with religion today they are to narrowminded...I am christian and I believe in a merciful and judgemental(Wrong word?) God.And I love him. :) Peace bro.
2007-01-07 10:36:19 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So in other words it looks like god is a made up quasi human being father figure with special powers. Yup that'll do for me.
2007-01-07 10:33:29 · answer #8 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can you prove there is a God at all?
2007-01-07 10:37:16 · answer #9 · answered by Zombie 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why does god have to be a man? cant it be a woman?
2007-01-07 10:33:56 · answer #10 · answered by jd83 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋