God’s Character
God’s Character – Do We Understand It Correctly?
Here is Light on the Dark Side of God
God’s character is an area that I especially want to provide more information about. For now, here is the description from the back cover of the book Light on the Dark Side of God:
Why would a loving God burn humans eternally for the sins of one short lifetime?
How did the gentle Jesus perfectly reflect the “fire-breathing” Old Testament God who, according to Scripture, He came to reveal?
How can a “killing” God tell humans “Thou shalt not kill” and yet to pattern their character after His own?
Why didn’t God destroy human rebellion early-on, before it became full blown?
Do humans really have free will, with God planning to execute those whose choices He does not like?
How does “the wrath of God” apply to our generation?
Follow the trail of Biblical clues in Light on the Dark Side of God to an amazing and wonderful new picture of God.
Now you may download a pdf file of the complete book directly to read from your own computer. Click on the following link:
Light on the Dark Side of God e-book, 589kb instant download
You will need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to open and read this ebook. You can get Adobe Reader here (a new window will open so you can download it without leaving this page).
The author of Light on the Dark Side of God does a very good job, I believe, in explaining the apparent discrepancies that could be mentioned on this topic. M. M. Campbell uses the cross of Christ to measure theories about the character of God. This is extremely good information. We are told that to love God is the most important commandment:
“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” (Mark 12:30)
We can only love God through an appreciation of His character and what He has done for us. God never looked better to me before I read this book and I just want others to be able to read it also and come to a better appreciation of His wonderful character.
If you are skeptical about the idea that God is love and that He does not in fact hurt or destroy even His enemies, you need to go to the Does God Destroy? page.
What is your most pressing question about the character of God?
Have you ever wondered “if God is so good, why is there so much suffering and sin in this world?” Or perhaps you have other questions about God. Maybe you have asked “Why would God do …?” or “Why would God say …?” Go ahead and ask them here. I will attempt, going from what He says in His word, to answer.
December 14, 2011 @ 8:44 am
I Want to Know God
I want to know God better. I love him and I believe in him and I trust in him! I just want to know all about his characteristics and be one with him!
(Joshua, Texas)
December 15, 2011 @ 8:44 am
Well, Praise God! Since you are getting a copy of the free book offered on this site – Light on the Dark Side of God, I would suggest you read that. It will make God look better than you have probably ever seen Him before. And the more you understand and appreciate His character the more you will love Him and want to be like Him (or, as you say “be one with Him.”)
God’s fundamental characteristic is love. The Bible tells us in 1 John 4:8 that “God is love.” This is rather unique. Other verses tell us that God is truthful, or righteous or just (adjectives) but they do not say that God is truth or righteousness or justice (nouns). God is not just loving but He is love itself. The truth about God’s character is truly wonderful.
He forgives all our sins. He does not tell us to love our enemies and then burn His own. (See the page about eternal fire.) And there is much more good news about God. He is just so much better than most religions portray Him to be. I will be adding more pages on this website to describe God’s character in the future – watch for them.
June 2, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
How Could God Do That?
How can God send people to Hell if He claims to love us so much? (Boardman, OH)
June 2, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
Read the page Eternal Fire – Loving God? for a partial explanation. The other part you need to know is the correct meaning of the word translated as “hell.” Hell is translated from various original words.
In the Old Testament, it comes from the Hebrew word “sheol” and is used to refer to the place or state of the dead where all people go at death. (They are there in a state of unconscious death, not some unscriptural spirit life.)
“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten.” (Eccl 9:5)
Even righteous Jacob went to Sheol at death.
“And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.” (Gen 37:35)
In the New Testament, it commonly comes from the original word “hades” which is translated 10 times (in the KJV) as “hell” and 1 time as the “grave.” Look at all 11 uses (Matt 11:23; 16:18; Luke 10:15; 16:26; Acts 2:27, 31; 1 Cor 15:55; Rev 1:18, 6:8; 20:13, 14) and you will see that it is never describing a place of torment. The one possible exception being the parable (a non-literal story to illustrate a point) of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16.
God does not send people to a place of eternal burning. He tells us to love our enemies. He does not burn His own enemies in some form of eternal torment.