Hello.
As my screen name indicates, I now feel a overwhelming freedom in being able to love God and not secretly despise Him.
I come from a fundamentalist Baptist background and I grew up feeling anger towards God because of the great hatred He seemed to have toward 90% or more of mankind. I could never rationalize creating mankind while knowing that 90%+ of all the people you had created would not "choose" to follow Christ and would burn in everlasting torment for all of eternity. The "turn or burn" doctrine began to take its toll on my heart because that always made God sound more like Satan to me than a "loving, caring Father in Heaven". I was tormented by the extreme contradictions found in my youth because of the fallacies I was taught about God and His "loving kindness".
Many years ago I began a journey of deep research and honest discovery into what the Bible really says and what the original languages actually say, not the contaminated political ramblings I began to suspect were in certain passages that seemed to so completely contradict the loving character of God as manifested through Jesus Christ. I stumbled upon Tentmaker a while ago and began to devour many resources on the site especially Gary's interview with Lou Abbot (highly recommended to watch!). This started a renewed investigation into Greek and Hebrew word study that has since opened my eyes and softened my heart to my Heavenly Father; I am now able to call Him Abba and not cringe in my heart. I cannot express the relief and joy I have found in life but I would be willing to bet you already know if you are reading this post.
Well, I am going to get down from the soapbox now, sorry for the sermon but I now find it easy to tell others about Christ because I now understand His love for ALL; there is no longer a contradiction.
Some things I have come to understand is that ALL means ALL, aion means an age of time or eon, aionios means pertaining to an age or eon of time, and "God is love" is no longer a torturous bumper sticker to me... it is a fact !!! :thumbsup:
Sorry for the long post. I am happy to be here. God Bless you all.
In Christ.
Quote from: Freedom_in_Christ on July 11, 2009, 03:35:11 AM
I am happy to be here.
And I'm happy you're here!! :icon_flower:
I enjoyed reading your story.
Glad you are here.
with love,
sparrow
Very nice. Your testimony touched me. Welcome.
:cloud9: Welcome to the Tent. Praise God for His faithfulness. Good testimony. Blessings...
Welcome, friend. Love the username. Wish I had thought of that :laughing7:.
You will be blessed here.
Grace and peace,
Brandon
Quote from: Freedom_in_Christ on July 11, 2009, 03:35:11 AM
Hello.
As my screen name indicates, I now feel a overwhelming freedom in being able to love God and not secretly despise Him.
I come from a fundamentalist Baptist background and I grew up feeling anger towards God because of the great hatred He seemed to have toward 90% or more of mankind. I could never rationalize creating mankind while knowing that 90%+ of all the people you had created would not "choose" to follow Christ and would burn in everlasting torment for all of eternity. The "turn or burn" doctrine began to take its toll on my heart because that always made God sound more like Satan to me than a "loving, caring Father in Heaven". I was tormented by the extreme contradictions found in my youth because of the fallacies I was taught about God and His "loving kindness".
Many years ago I began a journey of deep research and honest discovery into what the Bible really says and what the original languages actually say, not the contaminated political ramblings I began to suspect were in certain passages that seemed to so completely contradict the loving character of God as manifested through Jesus Christ. I stumbled upon Tentmaker a while ago and began to devour many resources on the site especially Gary's interview with Lou Abbot (highly recommended to watch!). This started a renewed investigation into Greek and Hebrew word study that has since opened my eyes and softened my heart to my Heavenly Father; I am now able to call Him Abba and not cringe in my heart. I cannot express the relief and joy I have found in life but I would be willing to bet you already know if you are reading this post.
Well, I am going to get down from the soapbox now, sorry for the sermon but I now find it easy to tell others about Christ because I now understand His love for ALL; there is no longer a contradiction.
Some things I have come to understand is that ALL means ALL, aion means an age of time or eon, aionios means pertaining to an age or eon of time, and "God is love" is no longer a torturous bumper sticker to me... it is a fact !!! :thumbsup:
Sorry for the long post. I am happy to be here. God Bless you all.
In Christ.
:welcome: What a wonderful testimony of the power of God. I just want to reach out and hug you, because I remember that feeling. I smile when I hear of just one more person coming to understand the Love of God....I just smile, God is so good... :cloud9:
Welcome and guard your freedom! :thumbsup:
Welcome Freedom_In_Christ! Glad to hear you're growing in LOVE on the journey! :boogie: