Why God fearing?
By warwizard_99
@warwizard_99 (81)
United States
June 7, 2007 10:18pm CST
I live in the southern United States, and I hear that people are God fearing Christians all the time. Not being Christian myself, I'm curious why this should be the case? Christianity is a peaceable religion, at its heart anyway. Sure, I've gone to church and read the bible, several times. All aspects of the holy trinity are loving and forgiving in nature. Why then, should any person have to be God-fearing to be a born true Christian...?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@susieq223 (3742)
• United States
9 Jun 07
The word fear was used interchangeably with the word awe, especially in the Old Testament. They both translate from the same Aramaic word. It also holds the meaning of having great respect, respect for His Majesty and Power. He is worthy of our fear, even though He is loving and forgiving, because He is also Holy and Just, which we are not.
1 person likes this
@warwizard_99 (81)
• United States
9 Jun 07
That is incredible information, if true. I think that would explain a lot of ... not necessarily confusion, but mis-understanding.
I think this is a fantastic answer to the topic. Thank you very much.
@luisivich (19)
• Philippines
9 Jun 07
Oh christians are God fearing and a peaceble kind of people. the same God fearing and a peaceble kind brutally prosecuted jews as if the muslims prosecution to jews is like mere childplay. they even prosecuted their own and labeled them heretics. well you can argue that is before people got civilized enough. hitler in 1940's is civil enough to the germans to get rid of those grasping jews.
@warwizard_99 (81)
• United States
11 Jun 07
I don't know that this is necessarily on topic, as I'm not discussing Genocide.
@ljcapps (1925)
• United States
13 Jun 07
i've always been interested in the difference in the christian religions. on how some say that god is likely to smite you down, and the others say that god is a forgiving god. LOL and of course, every religion is right, and every other religion is wrong. I'm also interested in the fact that in every religion, yours is the one going to heaven, and everyone else's is headed straight to hell. i can't say that i understand it! And truly, the only definition i have of born true Christian, is that the child was born into that religion. They didn't get to choose for themselves, it was what the parents decided for them. So, really, I just don't understand the born true part. I don't know. is it blatantly obvious that i'm not christian?
@kiwibee (240)
• New Zealand
9 Jun 07
Interesting discussion.
Think of a person who loves the sea, maybe a fisherman or a surfer. He can love the sea, and admire it, but it's also wise for him to fear it because as someone else here has said, it has the power to change (or end) his life in an instant.
Even a child who loves their parent, fears to displease that parent.
The Bible tells us that the Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. So it's certainly a subject worth pursuing!
@warwizard_99 (81)
• United States
9 Jun 07
I can see that. Using your see analogy, the sea bring the fisherman life, through his catch. But at any time, his fortunes could change or the sea could kill through a myriad of ways. This answer, too, makes a lot of sense. Thank you!
@urbandekay (18278)
•
11 Jun 07
I think it's just a form of speech and means 'respecting,' 'awe-struck'
all the best urban
@dlkuku (1935)
• United States
10 Jun 07
I look at this way, as children we have a fearful respect for our parent's. And we should have the same fearful respect for God, our Father.
I know my Father is a loving and gentle and merciful God, but I also know He can discipline me.
The wonderful thing is, because I believe in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, I will never recieve the punishment that I really deserve.
