Quote# 31179
Nice Saying, Bad Theology
There's at least one Christian slogan that I'd like to see retired. Handy sayings are sometimes used to convey a certain truth in a simple way; but too often the slogan ends up being so simple that it actually conveys a falsehood. One of these is "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner." I understand the truth of grace that is the attempt here, but it is actually not what the Bible says.
Psalm 5:5 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity."
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that run rapidly to evil, a false witness who utters lies....
The Proverbs passage lists parts of people and culminates in a false witness - it's talking about people, not just the actions they commit.
And these passages can't be explained away as the Old Covenant, because they do establish the fact that God hates sinners. The New Covenant, thank God, offers a way to receive God's love. But the state of a sinner is a terrible, fearful thing. In our good desire to express the grace of God, we must still allow the weight of the law and God's hared to bring about the repentance that is necessary for a new relationship with God.
Let's retire the inaccurate slogans, and accurately express a Biblical message.
melinda,
Stand to reason blog 22 Comments [11/14/2007 7:14:53 PM]
Fundie Index: 6