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From: root@trwatf.UUCP (Lord Frith)
Newsgroups: net.religion.christian
Subject: Re: Am I a false Christian?
Message-ID: <865@trwatf.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 15-Apr-85 14:25:52 EST
Article-I.D.: trwatf.865
Posted: Mon Apr 15 14:25:52 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 17-Apr-85 05:02:23 EST
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> I think this issue can be simplified.  I do not see any
> conflict between Jesus teaching love and Jesus whipping
> the merchants.
> 
> For example,  if you had a child that was instructed to stay
> in the yard, for safety and their general well-being, but
> they left the yard...when you punished them would you still
> love them?  Of course you would.  I think love is in the
> attitude of the one who is relating.  When you really
> care about someone, or love them, it sometimes means
> inflicting pain....i.e. telling a friend that their
> behavior is hurtful or destructive or a number of other
> things.  God gave us law to protect us and when we disobey
> He punishes out of love.
> 
> A christian can point out harmful behavior (not following Jesus)
> in a loving or non-loving way, depending on their attitude in 
> conveying it.

I think it goes beyond this Larry (er karen).  Because Jesus
claims that we should love everyone, that doesn't mean we should
feel obligated to explain all of his actions in terms of love. 
For example, to claim that Jesus loved the merchant because he
disciplined him is really unecessary.

Jesus probably DID love this merchant.  I'm sure he can al;so
find room in his heart ot be absolutly disgusted with the merchant
as well.  Hate?  Possibly so.  I'm just trying to point out
that if Jesus was so totally human then perhaps he DID have
room for some good old honest hatred.  Hatred for the sin
(which he had to whip out of that vile old merchant) and perhaps
some disgust at the sinner as well.

The existance of love doesn't necessarily mean the non-existance
of other emotions.
-- 


UUCP: ...{decvax,ihnp4,allegra}!seismo!trwatf!root	- Lord Frith
ARPA: trwatf!root@SEISMO

Or as Jabba the Hut would say, "Brrrruuuuuurrrrrrrpppppp!"