Easter Questions

[sub_sequent]

After reading through all the threads again, i just wanted to add a disclaimer: i am not English. So, if some things arent grammatically correct, it may be the Afrikaans influence.

Also the following:
Jesus died on the cross to appease God, because humans were sinful - is that true?

Yes, humans are sinful. Not only because they DO sin... But because they are born with the potential to sin.

Think of it as you would a fruit tree. You could say it is an apple tree because its fruit are apples. But it is more than that. It is a apple tree therefore it gives apples.


Q: how could God create a son and sacrifice him, and that appeased his anger??

People have this idea that God is angry. I dont read that in the Bible. I see that God is just. He cannot allow sin to go unpunished.
I see Him as merciful.. God the Son came to BE the offer we would have had to bring over and over. He doesnt forget about us after we deny the gift of forgiveness from sin. But He continues to give us chances to accept it.
In fact, in the Bible i read :He is slow to anger.

Just my 2 cents.

[Thorne]

i am not English. So, if some things arent grammatically correct, it may be the Afrikaans influence.

Your English is fine. Don't worry about grammar, as long as people can understand, it's all good. It's a hell of a lot better than my Afrikaans!

Yes, humans are sinful. Not only because they DO sin... But because they are born with the potential to sin.

And who's fault is that? Isn't this how God made us? In His image? And why should we be punished for having the POTENTIAL to sin? Everyone has the POTENTIAL to be a mass murderer, too. Doesn't mean we should execute everyone before they reach puberty.

Think of it as you would a fruit tree. You could say it is an apple tree because its fruit are apples. But it is more than that. It is a apple tree therefore it gives apples.

I don't understand this at all. It's a tree, and apples grow on it, hopefully, in good weather, if properly pollinated. What's that got to do with God?

People have this idea that God is angry. I dont read that in the Bible.

Then you aren't reading the GOOD parts! Plenty of anger there to go around.

I see that God is just. He cannot allow sin to go unpunished.

And he will punish umpteen generations for that sin, too! There's justice for you.

[sub_sequent]

And who's fault is that? Isn't this how God made us? In His image? And why should we be punished for having the POTENTIAL to sin? Everyone has the POTENTIAL to be a mass murderer, too. Doesn't mean we should execute everyone before they reach puberty.

An earlier answer applies here. Yes, everyone has the potential to become a mass murderer. But also has the potential to live a god-pleasing, moral and exemplarary life. It is THIS, in my opinion, the reason why God gives us many opportunities to turn to Him. He sees the potential to be what His plan for a person is. There is always the choice and therefore the potential NOT to be that.

I don't understand this at all. It's a tree, and apples grow on it, hopefully, in good weather, if properly pollinated. What's that got to do with God?

It is simply an illutration. We are sinners not because we DO sin but because it is in our nature to sin. It is THAT nature that God changes when a person becomes saved.

Then you aren't reading the GOOD parts! Plenty of anger there to go around.

I havent read it yet, but i will, the moment im on my laptop and off this cellphone. (On holiday at the moment )

And he will punish umpteen generations for that sin, too! There's justice for you.[/QUOTE]
Yes, agreed, it IS justice....
He keeps punishing because people keep making the same choices. Choices He has given other alternatives for. But read the rest of the verse..... He blesses to the 1000th generation of those that love God.

[thir]

I don't understand this at all. It's a tree, and apples grow on it, hopefully, in good weather, if properly pollinated. What's that got to do with God?

Do you mean that god does the creation and sets things in mortion, and then it works or not works, according to - what? His laws?

It is simply an illutration. We are sinners not because we DO sin but because it is in our nature to sin. It is THAT nature that God changes when a person becomes saved.

But then why did he not create us so we do not sin from the start?? This is what I do not understand.
It seems to imply that the first try did not work?

He keeps punishing because people keep making the same choices. Choices He has given other alternatives for. But read the rest of the verse..... He blesses to the 1000th generation of those that love God.

But then why not undo the whole thing, and make good people instead? It would certainly be a blessing for humanity!

What good is Hell? I have never understood that either.

Again, thank you for trying to help.

[thir]

After reading through all the threads again, i just wanted to add a disclaimer: i am not English. So, if some things arent grammatically correct, it may be the Afrikaans influence.

No worries, you are perfectly clear. And BTW, neither am I :-)

Yes, humans are sinful. Not only because they DO sin... But because they are born with the potential to sin.

I am not sure I get this: do you meant that the potential is the same as the actual deed? If so, can you say why?

And with potential, do you mean free will?

People have this idea that God is angry. I dont read that in the Bible. I see that God is just. He cannot allow sin to go unpunished.
I see Him as merciful.. God the Son came to BE the offer we would have had to bring over and over. He doesnt forget about us after we deny the gift of forgiveness from sin. But He continues to give us chances to accept it.
In fact, in the Bible i read :He is slow to anger.

Just my 2 cents.

As I read the old testament that is an angry god, while the new testament is a loving, even forgiving god. It is this radical difference which I find confusing.