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Original poster

Is the Christian God's love unconditional?

902 replies

Woolmark · 20/11/2013 19:57

Ok, some questions which have been playing on my mind, I am genuinely interested.

Surely his love is on the condition that you are a) a Christian and b) follow his rules?

Also, if God loves everyone as much as he does, why can't he save everyone by simply appearing to them? If I could save my children by doing this then I would in an instant, rather than turning up at the end and destroying the ones who weren't Christian.

OP posts:
octopusinasantasack · 03/12/2013 15:01

capsium so followers of Christ, if they manage not to sin, will only have positive experiences then?

capsium · 03/12/2013 15:04

Do you know anybody who could truthfully say they do not sin octo?

Also we are all partakers of Christ's suffering. He was persecuted, so are we in this world.

octopusinasantasack · 03/12/2013 15:07

No, not at all Capsium we all do, I know I certainly do but there is no evidence in my life to show that God's there. I don't think he ever has been to be honest.

capsium · 03/12/2013 15:09

It is an experiential knowing rather than evidence based octo.

capsium · 03/12/2013 15:11

Have you ever tried seeking God octo?

msmiggins · 03/12/2013 15:25

I don't sin- that's a very subjective term, capsium.
I am human, I don't always get it right, sometimes I upset people, - that's not a sin though- that's being just a primate.

msmiggins · 03/12/2013 15:36

The tree of knowledge , the serpent, all very powerful symbols.
God didn't want to encourage free thinking did he- just really wants sheep.
God rules with a carrot and a stick, the open hand of love and forgivesness but the threat that if you don't love hime bad things will happen.
Why turn an old celtic archetype into a satan. bad press if you ask me.
The serpent was simply pointing out to Eve where her clitoris was.
No harm in that.

silver-fish.hubpages.com/hub/Who-is-the-Devil

capsium · 03/12/2013 16:09

We receive God's Holy Spirit who knows all things.

God wants to bless us but if we do not want to receive His blessings (through Faith in Him) He will not force them on us.

capsium · 03/12/2013 16:10

The Biblical meaning of sin is to go against God's will.

headinhands · 03/12/2013 16:25

The thing about Adam and Eve (not that they ever existed) is that they were held responsible for something they did before they knew the difference between right and wrong. Is that moral? And I am paying for it when I didn't do it. Is that moral?

capsium · 03/12/2013 16:35

They did know, not to go against God's will. God told them not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.

octopusinasantasack · 03/12/2013 17:03

capsium I used to believe. As for trying to find God, I think it happens to some people and not others. Some find God, some don't, maybe because they don't have an open mind to the possibility.
Re the biblical meaning of sin, so God wanted people to be able to go against him rather than do his will then? Seems a bit odd for somebody wanting to be in charge.
As for having no evidence of God, what I mean by evidence is answered prayers. If prayers all go unanswered then how is anybody to believe in the existence of God? A child wouldn't believe in Father Christmas if there were never any presents - evidence is needed in order for them to believe.

SnakePlissken · 03/12/2013 17:05

Capsium, belief is something that can develop involuntarily, or it can come from a conscious decision, seeing as a belief is something that you have been convinced of and accept as the truth.

Would you mind me asking what made you decide? Or were you raised theistically?

headinhands · 03/12/2013 17:57

But how could they have knowledge of good and evil before they ate it? It was eating the fruit that made them realise there was right and wrong. They were effectively small children, they had only just been made, they had no experience on which to make a decision, and yet god seemed to think they would make the right decision, in which case he doesn't know the future and is a bit daft, or he does know the future and is sick.

octopusinasantasack · 03/12/2013 18:02

or god was doing what the devil is said to do and put temptation in the way, maybe god is one side of the coin and the devil is the other - they could be two facets of the same being.

headinhands · 03/12/2013 18:05

Except god killed a lot more people in the bible than satan did!

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:14

snake my 14:18 post explains my decision to become a Christian.

octo I have had prayers answered, sometimes immediately.

head I think the thing is Satan tempted Adam and Eve to go against God, by suggesting they would not need Him if they ate of the Tree of Knowledge. Without God I believe knowledge can corrupt, it has to be used for good, which is for God, not against Him.

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:20

head why is warning someone not to do something a temptation?

If that is the case schools purposely tempt children everyday...

headinhands · 03/12/2013 18:21

But Adam and Eve had only just been created. How would they be in any position to make such a judgement. Would you hold a baby responsible for something it did?

headinhands · 03/12/2013 18:22

Sorry what comment of mine are you referring to re: the temptation?

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:25

Sorry that last post was to octo.

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:26

Adam and Eve were created adults. Adam had already named everything.

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:27

The point is Adam and need to make a judgement, they just had to trust God.

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:28

^'did not need'. Typo.

capsium · 03/12/2013 18:29

That should read

Adam and Eve did not need to make a judgement, they just had to trust God.