If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck
Submitted by Forgiven on February 07 2001 14:33:52
In reply to A Nouwen Quote for You submitted by Ford Prefect on February 06 2001 17:56:42
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it is still a duck - however you dress it up. It is simply not true that God's patience is infinite - at a certain point both in this world and the next he acts in judgement on people who continue to reject him. Whilst some of us seem to find this a problem, it does actually make sense - is God going to allow people to mess up his creation for ever, or does he eventually do something about it. Acts 12 v20-23 is a curious passage - we're used to God doing something about sinners in the Old Testament - but this is NOT the Old Testament.... though equally the perception that the Old Testament is all about an angry and negative God is an inaccurate stereotype - large chunks talk at length about God's love for Israel, despite their disobedience - e.g. Hosea 11. There's a phrase in the bible - the FEAR of the Lord is the begining of wisdom. We think we can do better - we focus on the love of God - and then are surprised when our evangelism has little impact. (C.f. Luke 13 v1-6) God starts with warnings of judgement, but THEN shows the possibility of forgiveness. By focusing on the love entirely, a lot of space is left for the lie that it doesn't matter now, you can worry about taking God seriously later, and the moment of grace is gone, perhaps never to return. I wish it wasn't like that - but that is the only interpretation that makes sense of the whole of the bible's story. |
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