God of Love, or God of Fear?

10/31/2009 11:13:07 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. -- Ambrose Redmoon I keep running across post`s that claim we need to do this or that because we should fear God. But which motivates you more, love or fear? Fear God, our father or love him, which is the big motivator? Couldnt it be argued that by following him out of fear, we are not loving him? Why is it, that maybe the easiest thing in life to sell, the message of love,but we prefer to preach the message of fear and punishment? Hey, I admit the concept of love is scary in it self. Fear is a contemptable concept once it is faced and conquered. It loses its power. But love, will always amaze and the more we recive the more we will be enthralled by the concept. In Christianity, we have a high Priest, who never sinned yet was tempted. He took the sin, of man kind on him self and deafeated it for ever more at Calvary. Powerfull message of love i think. He asked forgiveness for those crucifying him, also those of us to follow when he said "forgive them Father for they know not what they do". So whats up, with those who would rather preach about fearing the God who sacrificed so much out of love? Is your God, one of love or one of fear?
10/31/2009 11:28:17 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	I know I am one of these people who is very determined to openly defy those that employ fear as a motivational tool. I often hear it stated on forum that this god is all about love and compassion but the OT would certainly call that assessment into question and even parts of the new. [Edited 10/31/2009 11:28:47 AM PST]
10/31/2009 12:07:02 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
dunrich2 Brantford, ON age: 55	I often hear it stated on forum that this god is all about love and compassion but the OT would certainly call that assessment into question and even parts of the new. But isnt this similiar to our relatinonship with a good earthly father? I would get the strap at school not think twice about it ,as I was a more afraid about what I faced when I got home. As I aged though, I realized that the one place I had unconditional love and support was from him. You are validating my argument then that fear has power. But you are asking valid questions , that I share my self. Why the big discrepantcy between the two views of God? Why does the O/T at times seem to describe a differnt God than what is represnted in the N/T/?
10/31/2009 12:11:50 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Well of course fear has power. If I held a gun to your head, would I or woud I not have the power to cause you to fear me? So you are saying that the god of the OT is simply exercising "tough love"? Thats quite a stretch...Generally mass murder does not fall under the classification of good disciplinarian or role model. Oh and your last question. I think what happened is when the NT was being written, the Romans HATED the Jews so the Christians were making an attempt at differentiating the NT god as much as possible from what the Romans considered the OT Hebrew god. Thats what Trippy thought and that sounds right to me. [Edited 10/31/2009 12:14:32 PM PST]
10/31/2009 1:21:58 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nerdstatus Rocklin, CA age: 31	Seems to me, the OT seemed to focus more on reverence (motivation = fear), and NT focuses more on love / grace. Though, no one seems to agree on how to reconcile the OT laws with modern social contexts (slavery okay then, but not now - kill people for eating the wrong foods... these kinds of things). But... I think I'll start a new topic on all that...
10/31/2009 2:26:21 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
shakti Red Deer, AB age: 36	Quote from dunrich2: Why the big discrepantcy between the two views of God? Why does the O/T at times seem to describe a differnt God than what is represnted in the N/T/? Because it was written by different people in a different time!! What other answer could there be?? Ideas on Jesus and God differ amongst the NT writers as well... It isn't God that changed, it is the author (not that we even know who that is in many cases) of what is deemed 'God's word'. Jmo As for love vs fear, ya'll know my opinion on that.
10/31/2009 3:48:54 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
davetheking Xenia, OH age: 51	God is love, and is to be feared! He is a vengeful God also.
10/31/2009 3:52:18 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Is that a reason to love someone or something in this case? Because they can frighten or intimidate you into going through the motions of "love"? That sounds like an abusive relationship to me and the mechanism of control that an emotionally manipulative lover will resort to. [Edited 10/31/2009 3:53:27 PM PST]
10/31/2009 3:58:44 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
clarencec South Yorkshire United Kingdom age: 51	Quote from davetheking: God is love, and is to be feared! He is a vengeful God also. Possible physical appearance of lovable but fear inspiring and vengeful God, with Jesus in background.. [Edited 10/31/2009 4:17:36 PM PST]
10/31/2009 4:22:43 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
davetheking Xenia, OH age: 51	nice picture, and it gets to the point. It says in the Bible," Venegaces is mine I will repay"
10/31/2009 4:29:52 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	I thought this was appropriate seeing as its the religion forum and all...
11/1/2009 6:51:35 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
blowtorchbabe Tulsa, OK age: 59	The actual meaning of the word "fear" used in connection with God was "reverential respect". It doesn't mean we're to be cowering, waiting for God to strike us down. The difference between the OT and the NT depiction of God is supposedly due to the New Covenant forged between man and God with the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. The whole concept of the scripture "vengence is mine" was that we are not to seek revenge against those who do us wrong...that God will handle it. [Edited 11/1/2009 6:55:35 AM PST]
11/1/2009 9:03:39 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
woodsmamma Winton, MN age: 56	Just bringing up the subject of the demierge, this is one aspect I consider when posing the question as to the differences . This is a Gnostic concept, Dunn, and I know you have some leanings towards that philosophy. I think that the demierge is the God of the OT, and also enters in like blow tourch babe said, The OT was the law and the NT is the new covenant. It would appear people might have gotten wise to the demierge, and that would explain the difference as the demierge was a rathfull, jealous, and vengeful undergod of sorts, and God/Goddess most high was the God of love!!!!!!!!!!
11/1/2009 9:14:22 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	That is actually true about that statement on vengeance though you often hear it taken out of context in action films or when someone is seeking vengeance on another. 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. What it actually is espousing is to not allow the need for vengeance to consume you and to instead be kind to your enemies. Overcome evil with good.
11/1/2009 9:18:19 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nvr4gttn Yelm, WA age: 47	very good X...
11/1/2009 9:28:27 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Im glad it met with your approval. Have you ventured into the OT reading at all? lol
11/1/2009 11:13:02 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nerdstatus Rocklin, CA age: 31	Quote from blowtorchbabe: It doesn't mean we're to be cowering, waiting for God to strike us down. How about telling this to the Sodomites, or all of the people he killed when he flooded the planet. Or, all the men / women / children / babies / all living creatures he commanded his Judaic army to slaughter... repeatedly - through out several Cities (1 Samuel 15:2-3) (Exodus 34:11-14) (Leviticus 26:7-9). Or, the few times he commanded them to force the virgins of the land to marry them as a "reward" from God (Judges 21:10-24 NLT) (Numbers 31:7-18 NLT) (Deuteronomy 20:10-14) (Deuteronomy 21:10-14 NAB) (Judges 5:30 NAB) (Exodus 21:7-11 NLT) (Zechariah 14:1-2 NAB) (2 Samuel 12:11-14 NAB). Or the women that are forced to marry their rapists (Deuteronomy 22:28-29 NLT). Or the countless armies God slaughtered to protect "his people" (think great plagues of Egypt, killing Egyptian armies etc). He's God, and he couldn't come up with a more creative solution?
11/1/2009 12:20:23 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nvr4gttn Yelm, WA age: 47	X, you just couldn't help yourself could ya???
11/1/2009 12:23:59 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	What are you referring to?
11/1/2009 12:39:43 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nvr4gttn Yelm, WA age: 47	about me reading the O.T. Just for your information, yes I have, many times I have read the Bible from front to back, studied it, memorized verses, read it to my children and most important believe in it...still have alot to understand about God's word. on topic, yes I fear the LORD!!! God of Love, YES... I LOVE HIM WITH ALL MY B- Believe I- In B- Bible L- Live E- Eternally
11/1/2009 12:42:56 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Oh because you didnt seem to know that the OT was a translation when we were discussing hell that day? Thus the advice to actually read it... [Edited 11/1/2009 12:48:50 PM PST]
11/1/2009 12:58:22 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nvr4gttn Yelm, WA age: 47	my dear sister, I don't need nor want your advise. But thank you anyway...
11/1/2009 1:07:31 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Well you might want to consider reading the bible before spouting off like that, and also refrain from remarks such as "you just couldn't help yourself could ya" in the future. The Old Testament was written by the Hebrew and it has been translated several times over. But you knew that... [Edited 11/1/2009 1:08:32 PM PST]
11/1/2009 1:10:09 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nerdstatus Rocklin, CA age: 31	Quote from nvr4gttn: my dear sister, I don't need nor want your advise. But thank you anyway... Okay... then skip the posts from her. Or... don't engage in discussing religion... on a forum... where people share their opinions... Every day I'm convinced more and more at how un-rational some Christians are.
11/1/2009 6:24:10 PM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
blowtorchbabe Tulsa, OK age: 59	nerd... Again, if you had read any of the prior posts, you would understand that is the God of the Old Testament. Do you understand the difference? Or are you waiting for another Sodom and Gomorrah to come about? And the word is "irrational", not "un-rational".
11/2/2009 10:34:08 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
nerdstatus Rocklin, CA age: 31	Again, if you had read any of the prior posts, you would understand that is the God of the Old Testament. Do you understand the difference? And, if you'd read my first post (fifth one in this thread), it should have answered this question for you: Seems to me, the OT seemed to focus more on reverence (motivation = fear), and NT focuses more on love / grace. Though, no one seems to agree on how to reconcile the OT laws with modern social contexts (slavery okay then, but not now - kill people for eating the wrong foods... these kinds of things). But... I think I'll start a new topic on all that... And the word is "irrational", not "un-rational". True. It's also true that this type of syntax trickery is common among writers in order to emphasize a particular word in a sentence. This is especially true in conversational English where “rules” are far more relaxed.
11/6/2009 9:10:25 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
ludlowlowell Panama City, FL age: 56	The messages of the Old and New Testament are the same. God, in both testaments, is a God of justice Who will punish evildoers (that includes all of us) in this world and/or the next, but will turn from that harsh judgment, and accept the sinner as His adopted son or daughter, if the sinner will turn to Him with a sincere heart and ask for forgiveness. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, it says somewhere in the Bible.
11/6/2009 9:12:49 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	He's just? Really? What about when he sends a couple bears to maul to death some kids that make fun of Elisha's bald head?
11/8/2009 11:26:29 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
ludlowlowell Panama City, FL age: 56	Xasax, to be honest with you I'm not familiar with that story (no, I don't claim to know all there is about the Bible). Where do we find that story?
11/8/2009 11:55:18 AM	God of Love, or God of Fear?
xashax Union, NH age: 37	Its in 2 Kings 2 2:23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head. 2:24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. God sends two bears to rip up 42 little children for making fun of Elisha's bald head unless Im misreading that. I dont think I am.