Double-bind: Instructions that include two messages that are emotionally contradictory.
Christian Double-Binds: "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mat. 5:48)
And
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Mat. 22:37)
Combined with:
"But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him." (Luke 12:5)
We are told to be perfect and love God completely, but fear that God will torture us if we do not.
Is this an emotional set-up?
What if you fear but do not love?
What does it mean when Christians preach fear of Hell?
If Hitler commanded you to love him in order to escape the gas chamber, could you?
How is this not a similar injunction?
2007-02-03 08:44:30 · 7 answers · asked by NHBaritone 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Hitler very possibly learned how to be Hitler trying to emulate the God depicted in the bible.
2007-02-03 08:48:54 · answer #1 · answered by Gorgeoustxwoman2013 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I really don't see how anyone even Christan's can deny the contradictions they follow. That is the very reason there are so many sects. It's a "Where's Waldo" from the year 0. When you find Waldo or something you can agree with you can turn the page and start looking all over again.
2007-02-03 17:06:56 · answer #2 · answered by MotherMayI? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Proverbs 1:7 says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction."
The word "fear" in Greek is "phobeo," which means "to stand in awe of, to revere." (Strong's Concordance)
Most people don't love what they don't respect. So in order to love God, you first have to respect Him as the One Who gives you your very existence.
I both love and stand in awe of Him, and I see absolutely no contradiction in the two things. He is in control of all things, and all power is His. And at the same time, He is perfect love.
If that doesn't inspire awe and reverence, then I don't know what would.
2007-02-03 17:09:49 · answer #3 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the context of the bible, fear means respect. If you love someone you respect them. No emotional set up.
The bible says to love what is good and hate that wich is evil. Hitler was evil.
2007-02-03 16:58:58 · answer #4 · answered by hazydaze 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The sword is drawn. Let the Mortal Kombat begin!
2007-02-03 16:49:25 · answer #5 · answered by Shinigami 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The main point is to have some harmony
2007-02-03 16:49:48 · answer #6 · answered by Gypsy Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is Christianity a classic double-bind?
NO. Not at all.
2007-02-03 16:48:26 · answer #7 · answered by whynotaskdon 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋