The paradox of mainstream christianity is its view of God - the God of love, forgiveness, mercy and grace - whom it claims to represent.
It's interesting, no, downright embarrassing, to compare the Biblical view of God with the one portrayed by mainstream christianity.
Over the next few days, I'll give some examples of how this paradox works itself out. I'll add them as comments to this post.
Here's the first to get the ball rolling ....
Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to them.
In this way, he said, we would be showing that we were children of God, who is equally kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
He then instructed us to be merciful, just as God is merciful.
[ Luke 6 : 27 - 36 ]
This is the Bible's picture of God as described by Jesus, the person most qualified to know his father's character and behaviour.
Why then does mainstream christianity teach that God will torment his enemies forever in a place called hell or in a lake of fire, if Jesus said God is the model of kindness and mercy we should follow?
Blessings, Barry
Example Two.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible says that God IS love. So God must love unconditionally if love is his character, his essence. He just loves - he can't help himself - it's just him.
Why then does mainstream christianity list conditions under which God's love can be received?
"You must love God back."
"You must repent of your sin."
"You must do this before you die and leave this planet."
Does God's unconditional love change, does God's character change, depending on where you are or what you do?
Are we, God's creation, in control of God's character?
The Bible doesn't think so.
Barry
Sorry, forgot the Bible reference for "God IS love" in the last comment. 1 John 4 : 8, 16.
DeleteBarry
Example Three
ReplyDeleteWhile we're on the subject of love ....
The Bible tells us to not be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good, to repay evil with blessing.
[ Romans 12 : 21, 1 Peter 3 : 9 ]
Mainstream christianity tells us that God tortures his enemies for ever, he never overcomes evil with good nor repays evil with blessing.
God doesn't live up to the standards he has set for his disciples?
Surely not.
And the Bible also tells us that love never fails.
[ 1 Corinthians 13 : 8 ]
Yet mainstream christianity tells us that God's love fails to win back the majority of his creation.
How can both of these views be correct?
Barry
Example Four.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible says that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever."
[ Hebrews 13 : 8 ]
and most mainstream christians would say they agree.
But these same mainstream people, and especially their leaders, are not prepared to extend that "sameness" to Jesus' love for sinners.
They heartily agree that Jesus loved, welcomed and accepted sinners while he was on this planet, but they declare he will not continue to do so when he meets up with them off it.
Mainstream christianity says that Jesus' "sameness" changes and doesn't last forever for sinners.
Hmmmmm
Barry
Example Five.
ReplyDeleteJesus tells us to forgive those who offend us, even our enemies, without limit.
[ Matthew 18 : 21 - 35 ]
Jesus himself demonstrated that the standard he was asking of us was also his own standard as he hung on the cross, asking God to forgive his enemies who had placed him there.
[ Luke 23 : 34 ]
Mainstream christianity's view of God has him leaving the vast majority of his creation unforgiven, and in that state for ever.
Barry
Example Six.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible tells us that God's love is so great and his grace so extravagant that Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the whole world [ 1 John 2 : 2 ], demonstrating that God genuinely is the Saviour of all people.
[ 1 Timothy 4 : 10 ]
Mainstream christianity does not see God's love that great nor his grace so extensive, but teaches that God holds the world's sin against them (even though Jesus paid for it all) and that he actually saves very few people in the end.
I think that will do for examples, even though there are many more.
I am getting too depressed writing such negative stuff when I would rather be reading my Bible and being lifted up in praise and adoration for the great God and Saviour we have.
Blessings, Barry