Negative views of God? (doctrine, mystic, science, doctrines)
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Do you subject God to that same standard of YOUR interpretation of what love is?
Now THAT is an interesting question, especially in the light of the verse I just quoted. God IS the standard and the term used is "agape" which, in the whole context of the New Testament may be best defined as "concern for the well-being of everyone in any context." Can you think of a better standard? As for subjecting God to that standard, no, what IS subject to that standard is ANY perception ABOUT God.
Do you subject God to that same standard of YOUR interpretation of what love is?
Personally, I have always resonated with the biblical description of love in 1 Cor 13, particularly, but other bible passages, other writings, other experiences and observations solidify and expand that for me. Yes, I hold that a God who is love would not contradict or be less than that.
Now THAT is an interesting question, especially in the light of the verse I just quoted. God IS the standard and the term used is "agape" which, in the whole context of the New Testament may be best defined as "concern for the well-being of everyone in any context." Can you think of a better standard? As for subjecting God to that standard, no, what IS subject to that standard is ANY perception ABOUT God.
The bold above is on the money. He is the standard.
But what that means is ALL of what God is and what He does is love - even if we don't get it.
So when sin is punished - even on a national level, God's love does not diminish... just like when I punish my kids for lying or disobedience - my love for them has not changed.
God is not constrained to our narrow definition of what love is. Maybe love includes lifting up the good as well as punishing the evil. Maybe our perspective is not lined up with God's perspective on what true love is.
The bold above is on the money. He is the standard.
But what that means is ALL of what God is and what He does is love - even if we don't get it.
So when sin is punished - even on a national level, God's love does not diminish... just like when I punish my kids for lying or disobedience - my love for them has not changed.
God is not constrained to our narrow definition of what love is. Maybe love includes lifting up the good as well as punishing the evil. Maybe our perspective is not lined up with God's perspective on what true love is.
The bold above is on the money. He is the standard.
But what that means is ALL of what God is and what He does is love - even if we don't get it.
So when sin is punished - even on a national level, God's love does not diminish... just like when I punish my kids for lying or disobedience - my love for them has not changed.
God is not constrained to our narrow definition of what love is. Maybe love includes lifting up the good as well as punishing the evil. Maybe our perspective is not lined up with God's perspective on what true love is.
Its not about a narrow view. It is that you hold a view of love that contradicts love, even as it is described in your bible.
Its not about a narrow view. It is that you hold a view of love that contradicts love, even as it is described in your bible.
Again - love is never the standard. God is the standard... who is all love... and all holy... and immortal... and sovereign. If you or I can't comprehend Him (not "love"), that's not His problem - that's our problem.
But I understand where you are. Love is what makes sense... and good deeds. Because if we are good in our own eyes - God has to accept us, right?
Again - love is never the standard. God is the standard... who is all love... and all holy... and immortal... and sovereign. If you or I can't comprehend Him (not "love"), that's not His problem - that's our problem.
The bible you believe says God IS love. Therefore, anything else that God is will not contradict the bible's own definition of love, at the very least. It is that simple to me.
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But I understand where you are. Love is what makes sense... and good deeds. Because if we are good in our own eyes - God has to accept us, right?
No, you don't understand. I have never expressed such a belief because it is not my understanding. It isn't about God accepting or not accepting anyone. As I see it, it is about keeping one's focus on the God who is love.
The bible you believe says God IS love. Therefore, anything else that God is will not contradict the bible's own definition of love, at the very least. It is that simple to me.
Yeah... I got that. Like you said - very simple.
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Originally Posted by Pleroo
No, you don't understand. I have never expressed such a belief because it is not my understanding. It isn't about God accepting or not accepting anyone. As I see it, it is about keeping one's focus on the God who is love.
The point about punishment is not without merit, but believing that punishment without end and for no purpose but revenge is from God is manifestly self-contradictory, and that's only one way that perceptions ABOUT God are held to that standard that says God IS love.
The point about punishment is not without merit, but believing that punishment without end and for no purpose but revenge is from God is manifestly self-contradictory, and that's only one way that perceptions ABOUT God are held to that standard that says God IS love.
If you guys care to neglect part of who God is because you don't like what you see... that's your choice.
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