Christians explain this for me I just don't get it!? # 3?

Question

How can Christianity NOT be a religion based on FEAR when the words FEAR GOD are so common in the bible.

Deu 4:10, Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.

Rev 15:4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord,
Here are just a few examples! There are tons of verses that say FEAR GOD!

But then there is this one.
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Isn't Christianity just a fear based religion? After all how many are Christians only out of FEAR of Hell?

Answer 1

It's a paternalistic religion. I guess one or two parents isn't enough for some folks, they have to have a skydaddy to come home at the end of their lives and either pat them on the head or spank them, depending on how they behaved.

Answer 2

My friend, do yourself a favor and do look up the word fear in the Yahoo on line reference dictionary. I copied two of the meaning for the noun fear here that maybe you did not consider: A feeling of disquiet or apprehension: a fear of looking foolish.
Extreme reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power.

Fear is not just to be scared of as most do see the word. It can also mean respect, a looking up to, an appreciation of the position and authority of another, etc. Each and every meaning must be considered when one does have a doubt about what the Bible really does say. Thus it is important to have a dictionary handy when a study of the passages is being accomplished.

Hope this did help and do have a good day.

Answer 3

Atheists never understand that the word fear also has the definition of awe, respect. Most Christians follow God out of gratitude. We are not sitting around, afraid that we will get struck by lighting. We love God, and thank him for the bountiful gifts that he has bestowed. So yes I fear God - I am in awe of his power and love, and I respect him because of his majesty.

Atheists, however fear God, in the sense of being afraid. They are so familar with fear that they project this fear on to everyone else. It's like the old saying: A thief thinks everyone is a thief. Atheists in their rebellion are right to fear God, as in being afraid. They have a right to talk a lot about Hell. Even the ones who insist, "I do not believe in God," constantly use the words fear, lost, uncertainty.

Christianity is a love based religion, a gratitude based religion. Atheism, on the other hand is a rebellion filled with the fear of sudden punishment, uncertainty and loneliness.

Answer 4

The term in the KJV is an Old English phrase which indicates to show the most extreme respect and love possible to the Father God that you worship because it is right. This is also used in Old English literature to indicate respect for the monarchy. We no longer concern ourselves with fearing Father God because of Jesus Christ. The Americanize of today implies cowardice if one fears anything. Therefore the aversion to the position of "fearing God". Although, I submit that our aversion to fearing is more stupidity than bravery. The smart man knows when to have honest fear without shame. It is not cowardice to avoid someone trying to shoot or stab or beat you.

Answer 5

Good point.
But a closer study of the English word "fear" brings a slightly different definition from what we equate with terror, or to be afraid.

"The fear of the Lord" is described variously in the Bible.
It's the beginning of knowledge, beginning of wisdom; it's to hate evil. It brings a sense of righteousness because of what we see as God's omniscience, and omnipotence.

So, the fear of the Lord is not a fear based in terror; it's a deep abide holy respect for God, the great Creator of the universe.

Answer 6

When I became a Christian, the last thing on my mind was the fear of hell. But God is just as true to His threats as His promises. Some come to Christ out of fear, some because they want to be loved. Some come out of desperation. God's warnings are for our own good. Without some sort of fear of consequences, where do you think our world would be?

Answer 7

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. Wisdom and knowledge of the word of God will soon provide the only stability of the days that are now at hand. The Word of God, and your KNOWING Him, and OBEYING Him, will soon be your only source of strength of salvation. Yeshua is the Hebrew word for salvation. The only treasure that is worth seeking now is the fear of the LORD. The fear of the LORD is His treasure. Have you found His treasure, the fear of the LORD? Did you know the fear of the LORD is His treasure? (Isa 33:6)

Answer 8

I would have to research the point being asserted in the above question; but for now I tend to look at it this way. Fear in our present thinking means two things; 1 be afraid of and 2 awe. (In one sense, I can see being afraid of God (he is far more powerful than I am).With him on 'our side we do not need to fear (be afraid of) anything else.

Answer 9

In these verses, the word actually means to revere. Worship of G*d is likened to the fawning of a dog over his master.

As human beings, we tend to overlook the fact that we have a Creator (as opposed to the secular humanistic teachings of evolution which would have us believe that trillions of years ago, without a catalyst, somehow out of nothing a big bang occurred and matter came into existence with a programming to become more and more complex as time went by) and therefore think we can do whatever we want.

It is our pride that makes us want to think that we exist because of something outside of G*d who would have us do that which He created us to do: Love Him and one another and act in accordance with these commands.

Answer 10

Real Christians are Christians because they were called....do you know the weeping and gnshing verse? Fear of God is the beginning of knowledge but Christiands are gaining more knowledge every day. We are no longer afraid...