At least you can say you agree with Ppm and the Rcc about how Gods character conducts himself
You could also find comfort with those understandings from the bible with Augustine,because these teachings are not at odds with this understanding
I wonder whether you or Rcman can use the life of Christ to show any of these examples you talk about?
Afterall,he is the mediator between God and man.
Before the cross happened,Christ in John 17.3 said that he had finished the work he was given to do
What was that?
To reveal the true character of God
He never fought back,he let truth be his weapon,his sword,and left it at that.
Which is contrary to what is being portrayed
And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
Luke 9.54
Jesus replied,you know not what spirit you are of
Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
John 18.10
Jesus also rebuked this and said this isnt what we do
So the problem that this pagan view of God brings,is you cannot harmonise the ot clear verses where God clearly ordered people to kill women children animals indiscriminately.
Is this a God of love?
How do you harmonise the new testament teachings,of turn the other cheek? Love thy enemies?
So,like the last few times i tried to bring the subject up,and was greeted with am i ok?
Or force fed all the texts i already know on this subject from the orthodox position,like you have already done.
Or
Do you both say,oh,maybe i havent heard this before,so instead of me going on the attack and defending my own position.
Maybe i could hear another position outside of my own position?
At least understand an alternative view
You dont have to agree with it
But at least you can say you both know the position
Because i believe this view harmonises Gods mercy justice and character,i also see the orthodox position which originated from Augustine which you both are voicing,is totally contradictory of a loving God of mercy,in fact this position,is i love you,i love you,but if you dont subit to me i will kill you by justice,the character of God also justifies using force to defend yourself.
The bible tells us the God is light,and in him there is no darkness
Infact Christ is called the prince of peace
Satan is called the prince of darkness
1 corinthians 15 talks about death being the last enemy of God that is destroyed
Clearly showing death is not of God
I can harmonise the contradiction that with your take on this issue has in regards to God being the same yesterday,today,and tomorrow,a never changing God.
In eternity before this world,there was no death pain dying etc etc
In eternity after this world likewise
Houston,we have a problem.
This orthodox pagan understanding of God and his followers,is on this earth ,using force and killing or defence is fine.
This is a contradictory position to hold,and infact its a pagan concept a leftover from when paganism joined with christianity and became the state religion.
You are left with lame defences like differenciating the difference between murder and killing,and rightous justice that excuses killing and death.
If God is one way in eternity,but another way on this earth
The answer is,thats because this killer God is a pagan concept of God,a God that seeks justice and must be appeased
Psalm 55:19
God will hear and answer them—
Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah.
With whom there is no change,
And who do not fear God.
Psalm 102:27
“But You are the same,
And Your years will not come to an end.
Malachi 3:6
“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
James 1:17
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
Unless you accept Romes concept of God and his justice The disciple will follow his master with the thoughts of God
The phrase "depart from me, I never knew you" is found in Matthew 7:23 of the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, where it refers to a judgment where some will be told to leave because they did not truly follow God's will.
This verse emphasizes the importance of genuine faith and obedience to God.
Then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
