Biblical References
Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages are from the NIVArchives
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Category Archives: love
Inerrantists are My Brothers and Sisters in Jesus—Not My Enemies
I do not believe in biblical inerrancy. I think inerrancy is a very harmful belief, and I often demonstrate the errors of the assumption, or presupposition, of inerrancy. Of course, I get a lot of push-back from inerrantists and (though … Continue reading
Posted in Bible, fear, hell, inerrancy, Jesus, legalism, love
Tagged angry God, enemy, homosexuality, John 13, LGBT, proof-texting, sexual abuse, spousal abuse
35 Comments
Belief in Biblical Inerrancy Must be the Second Most Damaging, Misguided Christian Belief of All
Earlier we discussed that Angry God is a foundational harmful belief because it gives rise to other misguided, harmful beliefs. We can say the same about Inerrancy and for the same reason. In fact, the two are closely connected. Inerrancy leads … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, Bible, creationism, dispensationalism, evolution, fear, gays, God, hell, inerrancy, Jesus, legalism, love, Old Testament, Satan
Tagged angry God, Demons, LGBT, patriarchy, Penal Substitution, proof-texting, Rapture, YEC
84 Comments
If We Are Free to Approach God Without Fear, What Becomes of Our Other Religious Fears—Like Hell?
To many believers God is love. This is the primary thing we know about God from Jesus—unconditional love. This is what Jesus told us about the Father and also what Jesus demonstrated in his own life as the representative of … Continue reading
Posted in atonement, fear, God, hell, Jesus, legalism, love
Tagged angry God, Gehenna, Hades, Isaiah 66, Jeremiah 19, Penal Substitution
22 Comments
Belief in Angry God is Perhaps the Most Damaging, Misguided Christian Belief of All
What is more central to our religious experience than our relationship with God? But some believers understand their relationships with God much differently than others do. Most of us believe God loves us and cares about us. We even talk … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, fear, hell, Jesus, legalism, love, love your enemies, Old Testament, The Father
Tagged angry God, Deuteronomy 28, harmful beliefs, Hebrews 10, Matthew 5, sermon on the mount
44 Comments
More about Progressive Christians and How to Connect with Them
Last time we talked about who progressive Christians are and some things they tend to believe. High on the list of what most of them do NOT believe are harmful doctrines like angry god, inerrancy, hell, legalism, penal substitution, homophobia, … Continue reading
We Often Become What We THINK God is Like: Angry God Part 1
Many people at some point decide to begin reading the Bible. But the Bible is a very large book; where should they begin? A large percentage begin at the beginning, of course—Genesis! Genesis is an interesting book: there are creation … Continue reading
Posted in fear, God, Jesus, judgment, love, Old Testament
Tagged angry God, Empathy compassion and care, the flood
118 Comments
Are Christians Being Persecuted During Christmas Season?
As the Christmas season gets fully underway, I expect to hear more Christians claiming persecution; it happens every year. Do you know any Christians who feel persecuted by others during this season? Here is a simple chart you can share with … Continue reading
Evolution and Imago Dei: What, Whence, and When the Image of God?
In the Genesis 1 creation story God says: Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all … Continue reading
Posted in creationism, evolution, Jesus, love
Tagged Genesis 1, Homo Sapiens, image of God, Imago Dei, loving others
36 Comments
3 Reasons Why Loving Others is Not All There Is to Following Jesus
In recent years the idea that loving others is the essence of following Jesus has exploded. And this is a good thing! It runs counter to the view that following Jesus means embracing harmful beliefs like angry god, inerrancy, legalism, … Continue reading
Posted in behavior, Jesus, Kingdom of God, love, love your enemies, the Good News
Tagged Luke 6, Matthew 28
62 Comments
If Most Everyone Will Have Eternal Life with God Anyway, then Why Do We Need to Share the Good News of Jesus?
Recently we discussed whether those who have not heard the good news or who even follow other religions might receive eternal life and live in God’s community after death—even if they never became followers of Jesus during this lifetime. My … Continue reading
Posted in eternal life, fundamentalism, God, hell, Jesus, Kingdom of God, love, resurrection, the Good News, witnessing
15 Comments
Do All Religions Lead to the Same Place? Not Really
I am a theologically progressive believer. I am not among those who contend that all religions besides Christianity are false religions and have nothing of value to offer. Neither do I agree with Christians who insist that all who follow … Continue reading
Posted in Buddha, Jesus, love
Tagged ahimsa, golden rule, Leviticus 19, Luke 6, World Religions
40 Comments
6 Steps to Finding a Good Church Fit for You
Have you recently moved and are looking for a church? Have you become dissatisfied with a church that teaches misguided beliefs like angry god, punishment in hell, and legalism? Or perhaps it is just time for another church that better … Continue reading
Posted in love
Tagged Church, church community, finding a church, gay-affirming churches
17 Comments
Do You Know Someone Who Wants to Know How to Begin Following Jesus (without the baggage)?
Early in my blogging history (2013), I developed a page on How to Follow Jesus. Some of you might have read it. I have never been quite satisfied with it, though, and have revised it several times. The main problem … Continue reading
A Surprising and Significant Twist in the Good Samaritan Story Most People Never Notice
When Jesus told an inquirer that if he would ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ he … Continue reading
Posted in Jesus, love, love your enemies
Tagged Luke 10, parable, The Good Samaritan, Who is my neighbor?
39 Comments
How So Many Believers Completely Misunderstand God’s Love in John 3:16
I suppose most believers think John 3:16 is one of the most wonderful passages in the Bible—and I agree! This passage tells of God’s love for us in a very proactive way. This is why “John 3:16” is found everywhere: … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, baggage, God, hell, Jesus, love, The Father, the Good News
Tagged angry God, John 3:16, John 3:17-18, Penal Substitution
48 Comments
Why ‘Love the Sinner; Hate the Sin’ is Opposite to Jesus’ Teaching
Have you heard believers say they ‘Love the sinner but hate the sin’? At least you likely have heard of them. In fact, they don’t love the ‘sinner’ at all—at least not the way Jesus loves people. As we read … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, Jesus, legalism, love, Pharisees, sin, sinners
Tagged John 3, Love the sinner; hate the sin, Luke 13, reconciliation
94 Comments
48 Short, Specific Suggestions on Loving Others as We Love Ourselves
In my previous post, I talked about Loving Others in 2017, which provides the general background for today’s post, and if you have not read it (or wish to reread it) you can click the link above. Today’s post is … Continue reading
Posted in behavior, God, love, love your enemies, suffering
Tagged loving others, loving ourselves
22 Comments
Loving Others with Empathy, Compassion, and Care this Year
A prominent part of Jesus’ message is that we should love others as we love ourselves. Sometimes, though, it is unclear how this plays out in practical terms. What does it even mean to love others as we love ourselves? … Continue reading
Posted in alienation, behavior, love, love your enemies
Tagged care, compassion, empathy, helping the needy, loving others, loving ourselves, unconditional love
28 Comments
Jesus’ Final Act of Anti-Violence—Crucifixion
For the past several posts we examined passages in the gospels to determine whether Jesus is violent (see the links just below this article). The purpose of this survey was to answer both believers and unbelievers who claim that Jesus … Continue reading
Posted in behavior, hate, Jesus, Kingdom of God, love, love your enemies
Tagged Father forgive them, John 18, Luke 23, Matthew 26, violence, violent jesus
43 Comments
Does Jesus Demonstrate Threats and Violence?
Opinion is sharply divided among some believers on whether Jesus consistently promoted acceptance, peace, and love toward others or whether he sometimes demonstrated judgment, threats, and violence. This leads some to consistently support peace, love, and compassion while others accept … Continue reading
Jesus Without Baggage 