Posted on 04/29/2007 6:14:12 PM PDT by SJackson
It is Biblically incorrect to hate our enemies."But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you". Matt:5:44. This doesn't mean we can't hate the acts of our enemies. BIG difference.
This is the ONLY thing I have read by this guy that I have liked, and I REALLY like this piece. It’s true, not just for this Korean but for most murderous perps, that they are descibed in the abstract, at first, in a police-procedural way, as “gunman” or “shooter”-—the murderous killer eventually becomes a bottomless well for “the storytellers”, the endless procession of amateur, professional, and lay pontificators and analysts. Every little thing, every detail of personal history, every anecdotal tidbit is combed over, in the hunt for “clues” and “signs”, and “red flags”. To be sure, the real issues,
over and above his own consciously crafted sense of evil, will virtually never be touched upon: they have to do with how PC has made everyone timid and afraid to IDENTIFY if not evil, then something that might as well be evil: the downright resolutely intractable character of someone who will one day destroy you because you didn’t have enough common sense to INSIST on exercising your rights for self-protection and safety.
Jesus disagrees.
Hating besides being a waste of time, can easily lead you to become like the person you hate.
“Anybody can become angry, that is easy; but to be angry with the right person, and to the right degree, and at the right time, and for the right purpose, and in the right way, that is not within everybody’s power, that is not easy.”
Aristotle
Nope. No difference. I’ll love them insofar as hoping that God is merciful to them. While they’re here, I’ll hate them. That’s what the scripture actually means.
This author is confused, and dangerously so. Identifying or pointing out evil wherever it exists, has no correlation with hatred. We gain nothing by hate - it is an obstacle toward repentance, reform, remorse, and forgiveness. Though it is an understandable human weakness, it is ultimately useless to hate Seung Cho. Recognizing that Cho was evil, and asking how he became that way, is a completely sensible position, and has nothing whatever to do with hate.
You have it right, Valin.
We must focus our righteous indignation on the evil done, not the evildoer.
When the wicked fall we are not to rejoice although we can certainly be glad that the evil deeds are ended...a crucial distinction.
You must be reading from the koran.
absolutely...the darkness in anyone who is hurting you simply wants you to hate and condemn them so it will take hold of your soul. That’s why they tortured Jesus, to try and make him fall to hate. But He came through for us to show us and give us the power to forgive. And taking needed action is alot easier without the emotion of hate. No guilt there too.
It is Biblically incorrect to hate our enemies.”But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. Matt:5:44. This doesn’t mean we can’t hate the acts of our enemies. BIG difference.
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The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference. Love and hate are opposite sides of the same coin. If you love something or someone deeply, then threats to that object or person, or that which destroys or injures either will be hated.
On the other hand, if you are indifferent to a matter, or to an individual, you will neither love nor hate, merely observe, or just ignore the whole situation involving that issue or person.
Does God hate anyone? The answer is yes.
Psalm 5:5, “The boastful shall not stand before Thine eyes; Thou dost hate all who do iniquity,”
Psalm 11:5, “The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked, and the one who loves violence His soul hates.”
Lev. 20:23, “Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I shall drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.”
Prov. 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, and one who spreads strife among brothers.”
Hosea 9:15, “All their evil is at Gilgal; indeed, I came to hate them there! Because of the wickedness of their deeds I will drive them out of My house! I will love them no more; All their princes are rebels.”
Does God Hate ?
Hatred, anger, vengeance, and the wrath of God.
(edited comments of David C. Trosch)
“Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.” [Lk. 16:24]
If you believe in the teachings of Sacred Scripture as being truth, then continue reading. If you do not accept the Bible as authoritative then do not bother reading further as you are without faith. No one has the authority to diminish or reverse God’s Holy Word.
In our present age there is a tremendous focus on the statement, “God is love.” There are only two passages that make this statement in the whole of Sacred Scripture. Both of these passages are found in close proximity in the same book of the Bible. God is Love, means that God is the source of love and is loving – but, disobedience brings hate and wrath. NOTE: Mankind does not need to be told many times what it wants to believe anyway. What needs to be strongly reinforced is what men do not want to believe.
“Whoever is without love does not know God, for God is love.” [1 Jn. 4:8]
“We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” [1 Jn. 4:16]
While it is certain that God does love –this is the reason Jesus died on the cross– it is equally certain that God not only loves, but that He also Hates.
Some synonyms for hate (to detest) are: venom, rancor, revenge, malignity, abomination, abhorrence, animosity, abhor, execrate, scorn, despise, look at with loathing, spit upon, anathematize, curse, swear eternal enmity, dislike intensely, shudder at, have enough of, be repelled by, feel repulsion for, have no use for, object to, bear malice, bear a grudge against, spurn, shrink or recoil from, disparage, shun, nauseate, tread or trample underfoot, denounce, resent, curse, be sick or tired of, reject, revolt against, hold cheap, deride, have no taste or stomach for, disfavor, look down upon, feel malice toward, be malevolent, hold in contempt, be disgusted with, view with horror, owe a grudge to.
Is the Lord open to forgiving everyone?
(Jesus) answered them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been granted to you. But to those outside everything comes in parables, so that ‘they may look and see but not perceive, and hear and listen but not understand, in order that they may not be converted and be forgiven.’ “ [Mark 4:11-12]
“But whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” [Mark 3:29]
Does God hate?
It should be obvious that God hates evil together with those who have deliberately chosen evil. If one believes that God has not and will not ever send a human being to Hell, then such person is a heretic and is under the penalty of automatic excommunication.
“Many are invited, but few are chosen.” [Mt. 22:14]
“Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life. And those who find it are few.” [Mt. 7:13-14]
Since Jesus made it clear in the Gospels that over half of the population will go to Hell, then it must be acknowledged that God hates at least 50% of those who die (everyone will die). It should also be obvious that the fallen angels lost God’s love and became hated by God who then took vengeance against them. COMMENT: If you have read this far and are asking yourself, “Where is the Biblical proof for the statement that over 50% do not enter Heaven,” then you have missed the significance of the two preceding passages from the Gospel of Saint Matthew. (Many read the Word of God without making an effort to understand what is being said. Jesus often did not speak plainly so that those not worthy of salvation would not have understanding of His messages and be saved.) One also might reflect upon Zechariah 13:8-9.
“Learn then that I, I alone, am God, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them, and from my hand there is no rescue. “To the heavens I raise my hand and swear: As surely as I live forever, I will sharpen my flashing sword, and my hand shall lay hold of my quiver. “With vengeance I will repay my foes and requite those who hate me.” “ [Dt. 32:39-41]
“Honesty is lacking, and the man who turns from evil is despoiled. The LORD saw this, and was aggrieved that right did not exist. He saw that there was no one, and was appalled that there was none to intervene; So his own arm brought about the victory, and his justice lent him its support. He put on justice as his breastplate, salvation, as the helmet on his head; He clothed himself with garments of vengeance, wrapped himself in a mantle of zeal.” [Is. 59:15-17]
As another poster said, I think you have accurately described the most difficult teaching in Christianity. I often wish I could “reason my way around” this teaching, but reason always sends me back to what Christ said.
Nope. The same Bible that you’re reading from.
That very same Bible also tells you to turn the other cheek. Should you therefore never defend yourself?
Defending yourself is fine.
The way I interpret what Jesus said is this: If someone is trying to put you down or ridicule you, or perhaps trying to ‘knock you down a peg’ by insulting you or possibly slapping you around, then as a follower of Jesus, you should let them and show them love afterwards. This is in the hope that they’ll see the error of their ways when you don’t react and give them the satisfaction they desire. Believe it or not, this actually works.
However, when you or the lives of others are in danger from a madman...lock and load, then double tap, center mass.
The difference is two-fold; what the motive and desire of the offending party is, and also whether or not they desire to kill you.
There are those who argue that you should be willing to die, but I am not of that line of thinking.
***”Since Jesus made it clear in the Gospels that over half of the population will go to Hell, then it must be acknowledged that God hates at least 50% of those who die (everyone will die).***
Incorrect.
Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?
I Tim 2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
***Does God hate?****
Your post is rather hard to follow. Are you saying that it’s ok to hate those whom God hates?
Does God have the right to hate? Yes, He is the only one. Using semantics to justify your hate does not change what hate is.
KJV: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
My Bible says the following:
KJV: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
Taking the Bible out of context will not prove your point.
As if your point needed any additional support...
"Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Romans 12:18-20
Even if we, as individuals, fail to live up to this truth, me must not deny it or try to force the Bible say something that it clearly does’t say.
While I generally agree with the author's dismay over the kid-glove treatment of the VT murderer, encouraging hatred is certainly not the answer.
Hatred is a poison to the hater, not the hated.
Love the sinner, hate the sin.
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