Monday, 1 December 2008 - 2:39 AM EST

I just finished a book that talks about this, in an interesting way. You should read it. "The Shack" by Wm. Paul Young.

Tuesday, 2 December 2008 - 3:21 AM EST

So your saying that the bible isn't true and that God really doesn't judge us? how arrogant. You will stand in judgement one day!!!

Wednesday, 10 December 2008 - 12:31 AM EST

Ted, it doesn't seem like anything I say to you will make much difference, but think of it this way.

Think of when you were a little kid, and your father told you to keep away from the campfire. And let's say you were so curious that you got close anyway, and you were burned. Is that your punishment, or is it just what happens, the natural result of your actions? You and I can understand the difference, but a less sophisticated, superstitious person might not.

People always seem to point out that the Old Testament was much more harsh than the New; the Old Testament told of judgement and wrath, while in the New Testament, Christ preached mercy and God's grace. But consider that the Old Testament was written by warriors and kings, at a time when war was commonplace. People understood images of swords and armor, of battle, and of victory and defeat. By contrast, the New Testament was written during Pax Romana, a long period of relative political stability, and Christ used images that were agricultural; He spoke of harvests, of sowing and reaping. People perceived God as being angry because they understood anger, but in times of peace, they were able to understand mercy and grace. Using hindsight, we get a more complete perspective, and a different understanding.

Consider that God's wrath was almost exclusively turned against entire populations, and was always tempered by mercy. How many people saw Noah building a huge arc, and were given the opportunity to ask questions during the 100 years it took to build? How many people in Jericho saw the Israelites marching around their city before the walls fell, and given the opportunity to flee? And how many times was Lot given the opportunity to find righteous men and spare the people of Soddom and Gomorrah?

God's mercy, on the other hand, was always free to whomever asked. While people have to choose God's wrath for themselves, God's grace is unmerited.

I don't know the mind of God, but I want you to consider a different point of view. God isn't angry. He doesn't hate us. He loves us, and at no point are we beyond hope, as long as we're alive.