Does anyone believe in a vengeful God?

[Anonymous]

I've never understood the common modern concept of God as compassionate, merciful, saving, etc. But wondering if anyone actively believes in God as a vengeful and willfully violent/aggressive being? I'm not talking about the devil/satan, or some off-shoot. But the idea of a supreme being/deity.

[Anonymous]

New International Version

Nahum 1:2
"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies."

To me, God's enemies are not human as we are all Children of God. Rather, His enemies are evil forces, as in Satan and those that are controlled by evil.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New International Version

Nahum 1:2
"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies."

To me, God's enemies are not human as we are all Children of God. Rather, His enemies are evil forces, as in Satan and those that are controlled by evil.

I'm glad you quoted Scripture, so that I can share this: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV): "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Sadly, we are not ALL children of God, but unless we have been forgiven by putting our trust in Jesus Christ, we remain children of wrath. God is indeed a vengeful God, and He will take His vengeance on all who reject the free offer of His son for salvation. But He is also merciful, kind and loving in that He sent Christ to die for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). As long as we reject His son, we are God's enemies. But Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection has reconciled to God all those who believe in Him.

[Anonymous]

And those who do put their faith in God must tithe one tenth of their gross income to church. If you do not do so you are robbing God.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And those who do put their faith in God must tithe one tenth of their gross income to church. If you do not do so you are robbing God.

Yes, God needs money -- to build and maintain buildings where humans can come to worship him - and for salaries for people to lead others in worship. God is omnipotent, but he can't support his worshippers without their monetary assistance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:New International Version

Nahum 1:2
"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies."

To me, God's enemies are not human as we are all Children of God. Rather, His enemies are evil forces, as in Satan and those that are controlled by evil.

as noted above, this thread is not about Satan, it's about God

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've never understood the common modern concept of God as compassionate, merciful, saving, etc. But wondering if anyone actively believes in God as a vengeful and willfully violent/aggressive being? I'm not talking about the devil/satan, or some off-shoot. But the idea of a supreme being/deity.

It's not a matter of believing. It's perfectly obvious from reading the Bible that God can be very vengeful, violent and aggressive. He can be be very kind and benevolent and loving too. He has a very big and diverse personality . Do what he says, and he's nice to you - for eternity. Cross him and you're doomed.

Some people only believe in a kind, benevolent god, but it seems like wishful thinking, given everything in the Bible that clearly indicates that God's personality includes much more than just being nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New International Version

Nahum 1:2
"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies."

To me, God's enemies are not human as we are all Children of God. Rather, His enemies are evil forces, as in Satan and those that are controlled by evil.

I'm glad you quoted Scripture, so that I can share this: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV): "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Sadly, we are not ALL children of God, but unless we have been forgiven by putting our trust in Jesus Christ, we remain children of wrath. God is indeed a vengeful God, and He will take His vengeance on all who reject the free offer of His son for salvation. But He is also merciful, kind and loving in that He sent Christ to die for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). As long as we reject His son, we are God's enemies. But Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection has reconciled to God all those who believe in Him.

All people, including primitive tribes who don't believe in Jesus can see the vengefulness or compassion of God just by observing the bad and good weather. Hoever, to be saved, they must learn about and accept Jesus. This is impossible for some who are so isolated, so God shows his vengeance by sending them to hell for eternity, despite the fact that their lack of knowledge of Jesus is through no fault of their own, it's because Jesus' faolowers never found their way to these poor people to convert them to the way of the Lord.

Some liberal Christians don't like to believe that their benevolent Lord would be some cruel, but there's nothing in the bible or their creed that contradicts this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:New International Version

Nahum 1:2
"The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies."

To me, God's enemies are not human as we are all Children of God. Rather, His enemies are evil forces, as in Satan and those that are controlled by evil.

I'm glad you quoted Scripture, so that I can share this: Ephesians 2:1-10 (NIV): "As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh[a] and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Sadly, we are not ALL children of God, but unless we have been forgiven by putting our trust in Jesus Christ, we remain children of wrath. God is indeed a vengeful God, and He will take His vengeance on all who reject the free offer of His son for salvation. But He is also merciful, kind and loving in that He sent Christ to die for our sins while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8). As long as we reject His son, we are God's enemies. But Christ's death on the cross and His resurrection has reconciled to God all those who believe in Him.

All people, including primitive tribes who don't believe in Jesus can see the vengefulness or compassion of God just by observing the bad and good weather. Hoever, to be saved, they must learn about and accept Jesus. This is impossible for some who are so isolated, so God shows his vengeance by sending them to hell for eternity, despite the fact that their lack of knowledge of Jesus is through no fault of their own, it's because Jesus' faolowers never found their way to these poor people to convert them to the way of the Lord.

Some liberal Christians don't like to believe that their benevolent Lord would be some cruel, but there's nothing in the bible or their creed that contradicts this

What an outrageous and unscriptural response. Comments like yours are exactly what pushes people away from the love of God, not towards Christ. I am not sure what type of teaching you have but before you post erroneous and unbiblical comments, try reading your Bible instead of trying to beat people with it.

By your reasoning, infants, mentally ill, and everyone who never heard of Christ will go to hell. Hell is not the penalty for ignorance, it is the penalty for sin. God will not send anyone to Hell for their ignorance. It is sin that by its very nature condemns us and sentences to an eternal separation from God in hell. But that need not be the end.

And before anyone out there starts screaming these are liberal ideals, the links below are from evangelical and apologetic thought with scriptural notation. The PP should be careful, very careful, about what s/he post that might turn ANYONE away with false, incorrect scripture.
James 3:3....Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

http://www.ligonier.org/learn/qas/are-those-who-have-never-heard-christ-going-hell/

http://evangelismexplosion.org/resources/answers-to-tough-questions/what-about-those-who-have-never-heard-of-jesus/

[Anonymous]

^^Many people learn and receive interpretation of the Bible from different denominations. The argument of those going to hell who have never heard of Christ and those going who have is addressed by a theologian Dr. Charles Stanley, who is generally respected in Christian religious circles.

Of course, everyone has some discourse with teachers from Joel Osteen to Billy Graham to Christ Himself. However, below is a link that talks about who goes and who doesn't. Starting around 3:10 talks about those who have never heard of Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWk2oTe6uJ8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:^^Many people learn and receive interpretation of the Bible from different denominations. The argument of those going to hell who have never heard of Christ and those going who have is addressed by a theologian Dr. Charles Stanley, who is generally respected in Christian religious circles.

Of course, everyone has some discourse with teachers from Joel Osteen to Billy Graham to Christ Himself. However, below is a link that talks about who goes and who doesn't. Starting around 3:10 talks about those who have never heard of Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWk2oTe6uJ8

Then what is the point of sending missionaries all over the world? and what's the point of anyone getting baptized?

[Anonymous]

If you don't have a vengeful but loving God, then you can't get justice. People who believe in God rely on him to give everyone their just rewards. People that don't believe in God think that you have to be responsible for justice here and now.

The people that are ardent believers know that they must expand their base constantly, because as civilizations become more educated, they become more secular, so you gots to get them missionaries out there!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have a vengeful but loving God, then you can't get justice. People who believe in God rely on him to give everyone their just rewards. People that don't believe in God think that you have to be responsible for justice here and now.

The people that are ardent believers know that they must expand their base constantly, because as civilizations become more educated, they become more secular, so you gots to get them missionaries out there!

So it's not about giving more people the opportunity to be saved through Jesus -- it's about keeping the church going?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you don't have a vengeful but loving God, then you can't get justice. People who believe in God rely on him to give everyone their just rewards. People that don't believe in God think that you have to be responsible for justice here and now.

The people that are ardent believers know that they must expand their base constantly, because as civilizations become more educated, they become more secular, so you gots to get them missionaries out there!

You think missionaries can reach every inaccessible area on earth? Have you gotten out there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^Many people learn and receive interpretation of the Bible from different denominations. The argument of those going to hell who have never heard of Christ and those going who have is addressed by a theologian Dr. Charles Stanley, who is generally respected in Christian religious circles.

Of course, everyone has some discourse with teachers from Joel Osteen to Billy Graham to Christ Himself. However, below is a link that talks about who goes and who doesn't. Starting around 3:10 talks about those who have never heard of Christ.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWk2oTe6uJ8

Then what is the point of sending missionaries all over the world? and what's the point of anyone getting baptized?

Did you read the links above especially the 2nd one?