More and more frequently I have been hearing and reading the phrases, “a vengeful God” or “hateful God” and the very cliche “evils of the church, done in the name of God.” It”s as though these are the excuse du jour for justifying ones choice not to believe or to “believe my own thing.” To be sure, much evil has been and is done by “religious” people from the beginning of humanity. God also deemed it necessary to destroy most of humanity and air breathing creatures.
However, that “vengeful God” had a plan and love for humanity which included an eternal relationship and so He preserved a bit of humanity. That same “vengeful God” was beaten, scourged, nailed to a cross all for the sake of humanity. Jesus said “I have not come into the world to condemn it but to save it.” Had He taken the thief”s suggestion to climb down and save Himself if He was God, then all we would know is a vengeful God. Not the loving God who died to fulfill His own requirements for justice.
When I go to the hospital, I want a physician who has read and fully comprehends all the medical books and has read and comprehends the Bible.
When I die, as we all will, and I stand before God to be judged, I will be elated to know that I have His pardon and not His vengeance. It was His love that nailed Him to the cross.
Don Baze
Kelseyville
