In Christianity how is it that God can both unconditionally love us and yet also judge us?

Question

I recently heard on the radio part of an interview with a Christian theologist in which this point was discussed. It does seem contradictory to suggest that God loves us unconditionally and yet could eternally condemn us. I'd like to read more about this so if anyone could point me in the direction of some reading material and/or tell me the name of this debate in the literature that would be great. Thanks.

Answer 1

If you refer to the teaching of eternal torment of hell, I would say that it is a teaching that does not come from the bible.

Jeremiah 7:30-31 shows us what God feels about people being burned, he has never thought about it once. The teaching of a fiery hell torment comes from ancient paganism and many religions take bible reference by twisting it.

The bible assures us: “Far be it from the true God to act wickedly, and the Almighty to act unjustly!”—Job 34:10.

God is love himself and he is also just (1 John 4:8, Daniel 4:37). His judgement is given to those who deliberately disobey him....but because of his love, he is patient with us, he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”—2 PETER 3:9.

Answer 2

I've been a pastor for 30 years and believe that God's love and power would not allow for such a thing as eternal suffering for those God loves. So...
It makes more sense that we suffer proportionally not eternally and that at some point God's will is realized and all God's children are saved.
There are those who cling to the idea of =others= suffering eternally, but I think this is more emotionally based than any revelation of God's nature or will.
You might find some good thinking by googling "universalism".

Answer 3

you are combing concepts together that are a little fuzzy.

first of all, God does love us unconditionally. God is also fair, and his judgements are also good ones, deciding in our favor, and not always condemning. God give us the chance to obey him and when we do wrong, he gives us a chance to repent, and return to him.

what is wrong is when people expect to sin, and not repent, and then expect God to put up with that.

For God to allow sin is against his holy nature, and is unfair to those who are trying to be good, and have repented in obedience.
why should evil people and good people get the same reward? Is that fair? and if you were god, woudl you "judge" a murderer and a good humble person the same way? If someone kept stealing from you, you might be nice to them, but would you let him back into your house?

God is holy . He is forgiving. He is loving. But he is fair too. So people should not push their luck.... it is always best to accept God's forgivness and respect Him.... people that do not respect God expect Him to treat them like they are OK, when they aren't . they need to take advantage of the unconditional love and repent. and accept forgiveness and turn form sin.....

When we are eternally condemned, we have done it to ourselves, because we have rejected God and his forgiveness.

Answer 4

Just like any parent with a child that has gone astray.. the child is loved even when they are driven out by the law...

But unlike most parents, God is also forgiving.. and Jesus willingly gave up his life that we might be able to return to Heavenly Father.. if we accept Jesus as our Savior.. it is our choice.

Answer 5

When God said spare the rod and spoil the child he was talking about adults not children.

Jesus said for one that shall harm a child to tie a brick around their necks and throw them in the ocean.

God said he wished no harm on his creation but we had to learn the difference between right and wrong.

Answer 6

God does love us unconditionally, even after we "screw up". God is acquainted with, I really have "screwed up" adequate in my existence to boot. I nonetheless believe God hears me when I pray and forgives me when I ask Him to. i believe God is acquainted with the adaptation of after we are really attempting and after we deliberately ignore about Him and save on with our own direction. Jesus' teachings educate that we ought to continually love the sinner yet hate the sin. a lifeless ringer for your dad and mom, God needs the perfect for his "little ones", in spite of what you hear in this website from some human beings. And a lifeless ringer for a be certain will self-discipline a baby to save him out of difficulty, God does the same element. i understand it would not look precise that God might want to enable undesirable issues to take position to human beings. I really have requested the same element earlier. basically, human beings often are in charge for someone's' brutal treatment...those who don't have any issue for God or everybody else yet themselves. i don't have even a fragment of each and each and every of the solutions, yet i do not stop asking God on an prevalent foundation in hopes that he will supply me a clue. i believe that He has replied some.

Answer 7

Perhaps you could try this about judgment.
http://www.newadvent.org/summa/5087.htm

The judgment is really the knowledge of the soul itself that it's deserving of heaven or hell or purgatory.The response of the person to the love of God.

It's the fire of the unconditional love of God that is the joy of the saints in heaven, the cleansing of the souls in purgatory and the torment of the souls in hell ( who do not know how to love... that is hell, eternally bent into itself.)

Answer 8

You need to get married and have children. All you have to do to understand that is raise a family. Today it is being called "tough love".

Answer 9

The love is not conditional but bad behavior is not readily accepted.
If you love you correct those you love that they may benefit.

Answer 10

It is futile to try to make sense out of ancient middle eastern tales and legends.
If you have faith then you believe and you do not ask questions.