From the pen of John Penman, Melbourne, Australia:
When I was a young boy mathematics was never a strong point. I remember my father who is from Scottish/Irish heritage jokingly say to me. “Well as long as you can count money son you’ll be okay”.
But seriously, if I were to write an equation that I believe has deceived the whole world it may look something like this.
Law + Force = Obedience “that is” Peace
The idea that laws must be enforced along with punishment for non-compliance to bring peace and harmony to this world has been universally accepted by both secular and religious beliefs.
Look at the terms we use for the police.
“law enforcement” and “police force”.
A contradiction of words which is often heard on the news when soldiers go into another country to try and settle their civil disputes is “A peace keeping force”.
Does it work? Does it change the hearts of men or is it just a temporary change in outward behavior?
A most eloquent and succinct description of how God’s kingdom operates can be found in the book, The Desire of Ages, p.22: “The exercise of force is contrary to the principles of God’s government; He desires only the service of love; and love cannot be commanded; it cannot be won by force or authority. Only by love is love awakened. To know God is to love Him; His character must be manifested in contrast to the character of Satan.”
A way to describe this could go something like this.
Gods Agape Love revealed + Free will response of gratitude = Obedience to God’s Law “that is” Peace
I was trying to make sense of concepts found in the Bible of God turning away or withdrawing from people. Does God ever draw a line in the sand and say that an individual has reached the end point of mercy and forgiveness?
Psalm 136 does not seem to indicate this.
I then began to think more about free will and thought of this description.
Love minus free will = Force “which is” Not Agape Love.
So could it be that if the enmity and hatred of someone became so great toward God that in order for God’s Spirit to keep pleading upon their conscience would be to cross the boundary of their free will?
That person, in their mind, would then see God as turning away and that His mercy has reached an end.
So far the writings of John Penman.
Dealing with Violence:
Does God resort to Violence?
Download the book by clicking on the image.
This book examines the character of God as revealed in the Bible—what his actions are and, just as importantly, what they are not. Many believe that God loves us when we follow his rules but is angered by our wrongdoing and punishes those who go against his dictates. The purpose of this study is to show from the Bible that God has never acted as a destroyer but only as a Creator, Sustainer, and Savior.
In the light of what has happened in our town, Empangeni, during the week 12 – 16 July 2021, I recommend this book, Acts of our Gentle God, for study on the loving character of our God.
Zulu speaking readers may follow the link to the Zulu webpage: https://ubabawothando.com
Hantering van Geweld: Sal God geweld goedkeur?
Laai die boek af deur daarop te druk/kliek.
Hierdie boek ondersoek die karakter van God soos dit in die Bybel geopenbaar word – wat Sy optrede is en, net so belangrik, wat Sy optrede nie openbaar nie. Baie mense glo dat God ons liefhet as ons Sy aanduidings volg, maar kwaad word oor ons ongeregtigheid en diegene bestraf wat teen Sy voorskrifte ingaan. Die doel van hierdie studie is om uit die Bybel te wys dat God nooit as ‘n vernietiger opgetree het nie, maar slegs as ‘n Skepper, Helper en Verlosser.
In die lig van wat gebeur het in ons dorp, Empangeni, gedurende die week 12 – 16 Julie 2021, beveel ek hierdie boekie, Dade van ons Sagmoedige God, aan, as ‘n studie oor die liefdevolle karakter van ons God.
I, Nina Snyman, recommend this book IDENTITY WARS (Afrikaans: IDENTITEITSOORLOG) whether you are doing Maths Core or not. It tells the story of the author’s self discovery. It is your invitation to learn your value in a purely relational context.
In a world where millions of people suffer the effects of feeling worthless, where thousands are fatigued with simply trying to “keep up” good performance in order to be valued, and where thousands more simply give in to the depression caused by their sense of worthlessness, God wants to give us the certainty that we are loved and of infinite value. This book describes our “identity wars” – from the feelings of worthlessness and of never being enough, to the peaceful acceptance of our real worth – a life-changing certainty, given to us by God through His Son.
Here is the Link to the audio book.
AFRIKAANS:
In ‘n wêreld waar miljoene mense die effek voel van waardeloosheid, waar duisende vermoei word wanneer hulle die pas probeer volhou om die goeie werksverrigting voor te hou sodat hulle waardevol geag kan word, en waar duisende doodeenvoudig ingee onder depressie, aangewakker deur hulle gevoel van waardeloosheid – in hierdie wêreld wil God ons die sekerheid gee dat daar Iemand is wat ons liefhet en oneindige waarde aan ons toeskryf. Hierdie boek beskryf ons “identiteitsoorlog” – vanaf die gevoel van waardeloosheid en om nooit goed genoeg te wees nie, na die vredevolle aanvaarding van ons werklike waarde – ‘n lewensveranderende sekerheid, aan ons geskenk deur God in sy Seun.
Hier is die skakel na die Afrikaanse audio boek.