Posted on 09/25/2018 10:56:13 AM PDT by OddLane
Despite the fact that God expresses His love for the righteous throughout the Old Testament Jew and gentile alike in a new book, one of Americas biggest mega-pastors claims the Hebrew Scriptures portray Him as unapproachable, living behind a curtain with love reserved only for His covenant people, suggesting He is a different deity than the one portrayed in the New Testament.
Its the latest shocking suggestion from Andy Stanley, whose suburban Atlanta congregation exceed 34,000 attendees and a national following.
He writes in Irresistible: Reclaiming the New that Jesus Unleashed on the World, released last week, that the concept of a loving God is a uniquely Christian idea.
In chapter 18 of his book, he cites 1 John: 4:16 with what he calls a unique theological statement: God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.
John equated God with love, he writes. This was novel. This was unique. This would change the world. God is love is a uniquely Christian idea.
(Excerpt) Read more at wnd.com ...
Jesus has commanded us (me) to share the gospel -- the good news -- that men do no have to die in their sins. Jesus has paid for them. One receives the free gift of salvation by faith in Christ's finished work, not in our works of the law.
(Jesus speaking to the Pharisees) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. (John 8:24)
It is an act of love to bring the good news to those who are perishing, even if they will not receive it, and even if they kill the messenger. It is not "brow beating" but an offer that can be accepted or rejected. But some resist hearing the truth so strongly that they want to kill the messenger.
(Jesus speaking to the Pharisees) I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word has no place in you. ... If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard from God; this did not Abraham. (John 8:37-40)
Believe and live. Either way you will never forget this conversation we are having. I pray that it will not be one of eternal regret.
“Hes the exception however. Im speaking of the early early Church. As the Church spread, its Gentile population grew as well naturally.”
Paul was expressly appointed to spread the Gospel to the Gentiles. You find this in Ephesians 3 and Romans 1 and Acts 22. That was his mission and in the Acts passage Christ in a vision orders Paul to leave Jerusalem.
Yes, I’m well aware of Paul’s mission.
Ephesians 3:1-7
1 This is why I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ for you Gentiles.
2 Youve heard, of course, about the responsibility to distribute Gods grace, which God gave to me for you, right? 3 God showed me his secret plan[a] in a revelation, as I mentioned briefly before (4 when you read this, youll understand my insight into the secret plan[b] about Christ). 5 Earlier generations didnt know this hidden plan that God has now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets through the Spirit. 6 This plan is that the Gentiles would be coheirs and parts of the same body, and that they would share with the Jews in the promises of God in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7 I became a servant of the gospel because of the grace that God showed me through the exercise of his power.
SEE also Galatians 2: 7-10
SEE also Galatians 2: 7-10
STUFF IT. I’m not interested in anything having to do with other religions, including their deities, customs, or propaganda.
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