God Of Love? or of Jelously and Vengance and Death? (Still making you think)?

Question

Is The Christian God a God of LOVE or is he a God Of Jealousy, Vengance, and Death.

In 1 John Chapter 3 God is described as a God of love in fact Paul states God is Love.

However in much of the old testament God portrays himself as a God to fear. A god who is jealous. A god who extracts vengefull death even unto his own people.

In the new testement particularly in acts he brings death to two who help back some of their belongings to the new church. and of course the infomous book of revelations speaks of horrible death and destruction to all who are not believers in him.

So I ask how can Love Kill and destroy so much.

Answer 1

God is perfect justice.

Answer 2

I have had this discussion many times, and have used various old testament scriptures as you have. The fact of the matter is that God is a loving God, but He is also a just God. It does seem to almost be different Gods in the Old and New Testament. But I challenge you to notice one thing-

The Jewish faith is a very orthopraxic one- meaning "right practice"- so they would have much more of a focus on doing right, avoiding wrong, and the punishments therein. The Christian faith is much more orthodoxic- meaning "right beleif or faith." The New Testament is all about Gods offering humanity a second chance, through the death of his Son. We must believe in His Son, however, in order to ask that our sins be placed on His shoulders. Does this help you understand? If you would like to talk further, feel free to send me a message, and we can exchange e-mail addresses.

Answer 3

Yes it is hard to understand, and despise all the thoughts, God has a reason for EVERYTHING He does. I have trouble with my religion sometimes, and the thought of dying scares me to death; I think, if God wanted me to feel loved, why am I gonna die? But then, I forgot about and still do so I don't worry about it, and now, I can do things to keep me happy instead. I think that as long as Im not doin nuthin wrong to anyone else, and Im happy, then Im okay. But who knows about anything anymore???

Answer 4

So what do you believe?

I believe that God is Love. Period. God is revealed in the Life and Teachings and Person of Christ. Find me anything about Jesus that doesn't indicate Love.

The Bible exists to point us to Christ; Christ is the only perfect revelation of God - the God who is Love. Everything else is imperfect, even the words meant to point us to perfection.

Peace to you.

Answer 5

God also says that He is the perfect judge who judges everyone from the inside out so that no one can hide their true feelings about God. So to answer your question, those harsh attributes of God is the result of His judgment.

Answer 6

This is the point I have been trying to make on here...... God is ALL....... He is the I Am of ALL things...... like some one has stated...... Perfect Justice..... Go in peace..... God bless

Answer 7

Why must it be either-or?

God is all in all.

His right side has His right hand of justice and righteousness. His left side holds His heart of mercy and grace. He is perfectly loving and perfectly righteous. Can't have one without the other!

What if God said, "okay I'm letting everybody in heaven no matter what." Thats's His loving side but then His righteousness is not fulfilled.

If He denied entry to everybody into heaven that would deny His loving side.

See what I mean?

Answer 8

Well when they believe in talking snakes, splitting oceans, and etc., it isn't really that difficult to believe in a God that is loving but still murders relentlessly.