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To: SeekAndFind

I find the Bible has a serious contradiction. On the one hand it reports that God is infinite in His love and mercy. On the other hand it reports that I, along with billions and billions of others, will be tortured with fire forever and ever without end.
In my case, I will be tortured (supposedly) because I studied the evidence carefully (I have a four year degree in Biblical Studies), and have decided that the evidence is insufficient. That’s my crime. It’s like asking a jury to weigh the evidence, then punish them if they make a mistake. Not just punish them, but torture them without end. How does that square with love and mercy?


30 posted on 03/07/2012 8:27:43 AM PST by Lucas McCain (Heaven protect us from what evil men do in the name of good.)
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To: Lucas McCain
In my case, I will be tortured (supposedly) because I studied the evidence carefully (I have a four year degree in Biblical Studies), and have decided that the evidence is insufficient. That’s my crime. It’s like asking a jury to weigh the evidence, then punish them if they make a mistake. Not just punish them, but torture them without end. How does that square with love and mercy?

If I fell in love with a woman who did not love me back and refused to be with me does that make me any less loving?

Then that same woman falls in love with another man who did not love her or show mercy to her, does that make me any less loving or merciful.

Then that same woman new love abuses her and treats her in ways I told her I never would, does that make me less loving

Yet this whole time I told her I would take care of her and protect her from this torment despite her refusing me, that would make me even more loving and merciful.

But in the end she dies because she refused my offer I'm am no less loving and merciful, it's the same way with God. He even went further by send his Son to die (get abused by that other man) to take on that punishment I deserved.
39 posted on 03/07/2012 8:56:07 AM PST by NoDRodee (U>S>M>C)
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To: Lucas McCain
How does that square with love and mercy?

You never mention another part of God's character which is plain in both Old and New Testament. That is His justice.

The mercy is shown to those who will escape from His judgment. We are all under His judgment unless we accept the solution for escape.

50 posted on 03/07/2012 10:26:17 AM PST by what's up
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To: Lucas McCain
I find the Bible has a serious contradiction. On the one hand it reports that God is infinite in His love and mercy. On the other hand it reports that I, along with billions and billions of others, will be tortured with fire forever and ever without end. In my case, I will be tortured (supposedly) because I studied the evidence carefully (I have a four year degree in Biblical Studies), and have decided that the evidence is insufficient. That’s my crime. It’s like asking a jury to weigh the evidence, then punish them if they make a mistake. Not just punish them, but torture them without end. How does that square with love and mercy?

If you are open to advice, if I were you I would make it my life's overarching, compelling imperative to reexamine the evidence, in case, perchance, your conclusion is incorrect.

The reason I suggest this is because many others (myself icluded) have also diligently studied the Bible, and have come to the opposite conclusion.

Now, those who come to a different conclusion as yourself may be right, and they may be wrong. But as you yourself have stated, the stakes are very high.

I am curious as to what kind of universe do you think you are living in? One created by a loving God, or the result of blind, impersonal chance. If the latter is correct, then nothing much matters, does it? As Dostoevski famously noted: "If there is no God, then everything is permitted." I.e., to speak of "injustice" in a universe without a Righteous and Just Judge is meaningless. Evolution is a cruel and heartless Master, and knows nothing of "justice".

Thus the question presents itself: on what basis do you speak of God as being "unjust"? None of us can pretend to know what God's judgment will be regarding each of us, but I am confident that His Judgment will be just, and on that Day every mouth will be shut:

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:19-21 .

54 posted on 03/07/2012 10:58:55 AM PST by tjd1454
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