Modern Marcionites

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.  Romans 8:28  NASB Good – Marcion of Sinope was born in 85 C.E. in Turkey.  Before he died in 160 in Rome, he changed the entire Christian world forever after.  How did…

Do Not Pass Go

Then He will also say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you accursed people, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels;  Matthew 25:41  NASB Eternal fire – Matthew 25 is essentially a collection of parables about the Kingdom.  The foolish virgins, money given to servants, and the separation…

Neighborly

For if you truly amend your ways and your deeds, if you truly practice justice between a person and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the stranger, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor follow other gods to your own ruin, then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I…

Hidden Contradictions?

who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.”  Exodus 34:7  NASB No means leave the guilty unpunished – Exodus 34:6-7 is one of the most important passages in the…

Go Straight to Hell

Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without measure;  Isaiah 5:14a Without measure – Why do people go to Hell?  No, it’s not a theological trick question.  Why do you think God would send people to Hell?  Is it because they were wicked and deserved long-lasting punishment?  Is it because true justice demands that…

The “No-Win” Option

The Lord has become like an enemy. He has swallowed up Israel; He has swallowed up all its palaces, He has destroyed its strongholds and multiplied in the daughter of Judah mourning and moaning. Lamentations 2:5  NASB Like an enemy – We live in the “God is Love” age.  I’m not sure when we transitioned from “Sinners in the…

Justice Out of Balance

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.  Psalm 103:10  NASB According to  – Is God just?  Frankly, I hope not.  Justice means the application of the law without bias.  It is personified in the famous blind lady holding the balance scales. If God blindly measures me…

Human Mathematics

Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” Genesis 18:25  NASB Deal justly – What does it mean to execute justice?  Paul gives us…

The Supreme Commandment

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.  Matthew 7:12 NIV Do to others – What is the greatest commandment?  The scribe asked Yeshua and received a two-pronged answer.  Love God and do unto others.  The two are essentially equal.  Perhaps…

The Last Word

For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.”  Hebrews 10:30  NASB Repay – What is your view of justice?  What is its purpose?  Is vengeance and retribution a necessary part of the social order, a requirement to keep evil in check?  Or is something…