Why do you fool yourselves by calling God a "loving" God?

Question

He says to fear him and threatens anyone who doesn't do what he says with eternal torture. If you were a parent would you want your children to fear you- would you disown them and wish eternal misery on them if they didn't do what you said? How can you say that God loves us if he is willing to sentence us to a lifetime of misery just because we dared to disobey him? You say people do it to themselves- I don't agree. No one would knowingly sentence themself to eternal suffering. We can't know everything. So what if we are wrong and it turns out there is a God- innocent mistake. Is it really worth condemning us to hell for the rest of eternity? What about having the punishment fit the crime? And if you do believe that not accepting God will result in going to hell, that's fine, its what you believe. But call it what it is- admit that God is a cruel bloodthirsty tyrant. How can you possibly see him as a loving paternal figure when he is so quick to wish misery on his own children?

Answer 1

He was trying to guide the Isrealites from becoming "impure" as his chosen people to be the best among all else in the world and in order to do that they had to 'fear' him to follow his laws in return He would have made them the most perfect nation in the world. But in order for that to happen EVERY single Isrealite had to obey his laws thoroghly and if even just ONE happened to disobey and make it into a habit (in which case they will continue to do so unless they seek forgiveness and never do it again) then ALL of their decendants would have also been sinners and the "perfect" nation would have been tainted. The sad part is that his rules aren't even that difficult to live up to (no killing, stealing, adultery or fornication and the 7 sins which deal with temptation) and yet they still didnt' do it cos they didnt' feel like they were threatened and they just enjoyed sinning too... much like today. Also, notice how many times the Isrealites kept 'wandering' from God and worship other gods? They kept on failing Him cos they didn't 'fear' Him in which case they did not follow his rules and therefore are a mess today. He also had to "sacrifice" those who sinned as examples, 'if you break my law this is what happens' so as to teach all those involved and any other generations that follow as well... but they never learned.

Aristotle even said that fear was the best tactic to lead a group of people.. don't have quote or sources but i remember that from High school.

Answer 2

You want to use the word threaten, I say warn or caution. Either way the result is the same. Fear though, you got that one wrong. Respect is more like it. Just like I expect my children to respect me and the rules I set down under my roof. My rules are not tyrannical but are for the purpose of safety, learning and above all, to respect others. I make rules because I love them and want the best for them. I would expect you also, if you have children, to do the same. If you follow the logic you used in your question with regard to your children, you're in serious trouble. Consequences are a part of life whether it is in the spiritual or physical. You beat people up or blow up buildings - to jail you go. Parents sometimes are the ones who turn their children in. Now is that a tyrant? I suspect you would be all for some type of retribution especially if you lost a loved one by their hand. If you disagree, you're a liar.

Here's where God's love comes in. We all deserve retribution. Regardless of whether you believe in God or not doesn't change his word. He said none of us are righteous - that includes you and me. The difference is he made it so that all that is required is we believe that he made a way for us. And you already know what that is - Jesus. Very simple. And here's the other part, you have a lifetime to choose either eternal life or eternal misery. Quite a difference. Guess what. You know what's right and wrong. Your question reveals that. Stop blaming God for your short coming and unbelief. God is righteous and loving. He is also a God of wrath. Make no mistake about it, his wrath is to be feared in the sense you said. But we're in a period of time where his wrath is held back. Take every advantage of it.

Answer 3

The fear of the LORD is a reverence and respect for His authority, not a fear like "oh no, He's gonna smite me!" It's not like that, it's a respect for His power over us. God doesn't threaten anyone. A threat is when someone says to do something that is against your best interests. However, obeying God is in our best interests. You avoid STDs, poverty, despair, and numerous other things as well.

Indeed, we "dare to disobey" God. God is our creator, and as such has the right to govern our lives any way He sees fit. Does the pot say to the potter, "why have you formed me so?" We have no right to object to God's will bc He's God, not us.

Actually, ppl do knowingly disobey God. Romans 1:20 says that no one is without excuse, there is always a way to know something of God, even if it isn't a mature understanding.

You seem to think of sin as a simple blemish on our souls. It isn't, it's a deep corruption. It betrays your heart. When you sin, you're saying that your will is more important than God's. One, that's foolish bc your will can get you into trouble in this life, second, in heaven, it's God's will only. If you aren't willing to submit to His will, you wouldn't be happy in heaven. And being with God is the only way to be truly happy. We get a taste of God here, this is a cursed world, but there is still a trace of God here, but hell is where there's nothing of God.

Finally, if God were quick to wish misery on us, He would simply give us all the punishment we deserve, and yet He didn't. He sent Jesus to die for us. So stop complaining about how unfair God is when He died for your sins so that you can get into heaven.

Answer 4

Point #1: There are many definitions for the word “fear.” You are interpreting fear as “a distressing emotion aroused by impending danger, evil, pain, etc.” Fear in the Biblical sense means, “to respect or admire.”

Point #2: God is sinless. Humans are sinful. According to the Bible, it is physically impossible for one to exist in the presence of God because of this significant differentiation. Consequently, in order for one to exist in the presence of God, one must be sinless. How is that possible, you may ask, seeing as we are naturally sinful? Well, God, that mean old “cruel, bloodthirsty tyrant,” was merciful enough to send the perfect sacrifice – Jesus – the physical manifestation of God. The perfect sacrifice provides sinners with an opportunity to accept everlasting amnesty, making it possible for one to live in the presence of God. Rejection, however, leads to eternal damnation.

Why? That’s just plain cruel!!! But is it? God has given everyone the opportunity to accept the perfect sacrifice. Practical application: Let’s say there’s a car driving down the road. You are a pedestrian trying to cross the road. You begin to cross the road, unaware of the oncoming car. Another pedestrian puts two and two together, runs into the street and shoves you out of the way of the car. Although he saves your life, he is unable to save his own.

Rejecting God’s only begotten Son would be like you pissing all over the guy that just sacrificed his life for yours, in the preceding illustration. Now tell me, which is the more cruel?

Answer 5

God is love not Evil

It is unfair to ask how God can send people to hell when He's done all He can to stop them from going there! He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die in our place, to suffer instead of us, so we can have a gift of eternal life without having to work for it. He has given us His written word and His church to point the way (although many times imperfectly in regards to the latter.) If God is the author of all good and people have the free will to follow Him or separate from Him, then it must follow that people will suffer if they don't choose to follow God. In this way it is not a "punishment", but the only option left to God who cannot destroy your sovereign will.

There are two seed the seed of Christ and the seed of the serpent. The bible says that there will be a separation at the last day - the goats will be on His left hand and His sheep on His right. The goats willGo to the lake of fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels and everyone who believes this lie

You have misunderstood Jesus' purpose for coming here and that is to help you change from a goat to a sheep

Answer 6

Lucifer himself was a fallen angel, because he thought he was better than God. God does not torture us. He gives us free will, that is what gives you the chance to believe in what you want. He gives you your whole life to accept him. You are right no one knowingly sentences themselves to eternal suffering, that is because they don't know. They don't know what they are talking about they are fools for not believing in God. And you say God is a bloodthirsty tyrant, how do u know? You know nothing of God or about Him. Don't be so quick to judge. You need to accept responsibility for what you do and stop blaming God for all your mistakes.

Answer 7

Not "quick to wish misery..." it's actually instantaneous. God is eternal, any amount of time in the face of infinate time is nil, exactly the same as 0. God, from the moment you are born has condemned you to hell in terms of time for God.

Answer 8

He gaqve His only begotten Son to die for my sin. Would you give up your child for my sin?
Why do you convince yourself He isn't?

When God said to fear the Lord, He was saying "revere" as in respect. You can test His patience but are you sure you want to do that? He does control everything ya know? Even parents discipline their child when they've misbehaved. To God...a sin is a sin. No matter how big or small, it's still a sin. A lie is a lie and a murder is a murder. I think you've been hurt by some earthly family member and is taking your anger out on God. Sweetie He loves you and will never force you to obey Him. We have choices and since He created us, it's His ability to provide the ONLY 2 options....His Son Jesus and an eternity with Him or the alternative. God bless.

Answer 9

Well We All have free will to beleive whatever we want. God will not force us to do anything. we have a choice to beleive the bible or book of shadows....etc.....I used to be a Satanist, but, now I have given my life to God and Jesus. I have seen MANY things in my 50 years and I know that He (God) is real but so is Satan. and to others, someone or something else is just as real to them. FREE WILL.
Here is the only thing that came to mind when I first read the question

1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.
1Co 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, And the discernment of the discerning will I bring to nought.
1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save them that believe.
1Co 2:14 Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1Co 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He that taketh the wise in their craftiness:
1Co 3:20 and again, The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise that they are vain.
1Co 3:21 Wherefore let no one glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; (GOD's)
1Co 3:23 and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
greg

Answer 10

How can you confuse human opinions about God with the actual attributes of the Deity?