Awe yes (pun intended) the classic apologist’s rebuttal: “the Bible doesn’t mean what it says – except for of course when it does, and don’t worry – we’ll tell you when and where it means what it says. “ This is a tired old argument that only the desperate will cling to. Allow me to shoot it down first. If the word fear in the Bible really means awe, than why use the word awe?
Luke 5:26 NIV
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
And if fear doesn’t mean fear than how do you explain the following verse (taken from the same author, of the same book, from the same version of the Bible):
Luke 12:5 NIV
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Hmmm… sounds to me like the author is referring to genuine real fear … not awe. Clearly, the authors of the Bible meant FEAR when they wrote the word FEAR and meant AWE when they wrote the word AWE. Perhaps if none of the authors ever used the word ‘awe’ than maybe, and that’s a BIG maybe, you might have a leg to stand on with this argument, but unfortunately you don’t and it’s dishonest to pretend that one is the other whenever it suits your agenda. But hey, the very nature of an apologist’s argument is dishonest because you can’t defend the Bible’s blatant contradictions without it. The truth is, the fact that Christians even attempt to sell the absurdity that the Bible isn’t asking you to fear their god, but only to be in awe of him is utterly insulting to one's intelligence. They must think that the rest of the world is completely stupid. There can be no doubt about it … Yahweh wants you to FEAR him… to be AFRAID.
Regardless, this debate is about the compatibility of love and fear, not love and awe, and if you read my opponents opening statements it would appear that there isn’t any real fear required in the Bible, so apparently there’s no debate here???
……..and yet, he continues to show how compatible they are. Hmmm.
Are there positive forms of fear? No. There are only useful forms. Fear for one’s life. Fear of losing a loved one. Fear of snakes may keep one from getting bitten by a poisonous viper but it is not born of anything positive. That fear that saved your life – let me guess … that’s not something you ‘d want to feel every day is it!?! It’s ridiculous to make that claim that love and fear are both positive and that they’re simply powerful emotions. That’s simply greasy sophistry to condone the disgusting integration of the two in the Bible. Can a child love an abusive parent? Yes, I already said that, but what kind of children do you get? Neurotic, psychologically damage goods.
Love and Fear are opposites and they are not compatible. My son respects me and knows that I dish out consequences for undesired actions. I guarantee that boy does not fear me and I never want him to. I want him to be the man I know he can be. I want him to be better than me. I want him to show the world that love, strength and truth destroy fear. One day he’ll be old enough to do whatever he wants and when that day arrives I want him to respect me because he loves me so much that he doesn’t want me to be disappointed, not because he fears me.
What kind of parent needs their children to feel fear and love for them??? Well, to answer that question, here’s a quote from my opponent to give you an idea:
I think my old man is a pathetic excuse for a father. I don’t think he’s impressive at all. You know what – I still love him very much. I hold him dear because he loved me and taught me … and in the end he was just as mislead and brainwashed as his old man. Fear is not required to love. Might I quote another reference from the bible that got glossed over in my opponents rebuttal.
1 John 4:18 ~ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...
Clearly the Bible contradicts itself and this verse disagrees with my opponents statement above.
Sorry this went so long. I look forward to our conclusions and I’d like to add that I am not trying to disparage my opponent’s reputation as a good father. He may be an excellent father. Rather, I am trying to point out the flaws the scriptures offer regarding the love of a "heavenly father."
Luke 5:26 NIV
Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today."
And if fear doesn’t mean fear than how do you explain the following verse (taken from the same author, of the same book, from the same version of the Bible):
Luke 12:5 NIV
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
Hmmm… sounds to me like the author is referring to genuine real fear … not awe. Clearly, the authors of the Bible meant FEAR when they wrote the word FEAR and meant AWE when they wrote the word AWE. Perhaps if none of the authors ever used the word ‘awe’ than maybe, and that’s a BIG maybe, you might have a leg to stand on with this argument, but unfortunately you don’t and it’s dishonest to pretend that one is the other whenever it suits your agenda. But hey, the very nature of an apologist’s argument is dishonest because you can’t defend the Bible’s blatant contradictions without it. The truth is, the fact that Christians even attempt to sell the absurdity that the Bible isn’t asking you to fear their god, but only to be in awe of him is utterly insulting to one's intelligence. They must think that the rest of the world is completely stupid. There can be no doubt about it … Yahweh wants you to FEAR him… to be AFRAID.
Regardless, this debate is about the compatibility of love and fear, not love and awe, and if you read my opponents opening statements it would appear that there isn’t any real fear required in the Bible, so apparently there’s no debate here???
……..and yet, he continues to show how compatible they are. Hmmm.
Are there positive forms of fear? No. There are only useful forms. Fear for one’s life. Fear of losing a loved one. Fear of snakes may keep one from getting bitten by a poisonous viper but it is not born of anything positive. That fear that saved your life – let me guess … that’s not something you ‘d want to feel every day is it!?! It’s ridiculous to make that claim that love and fear are both positive and that they’re simply powerful emotions. That’s simply greasy sophistry to condone the disgusting integration of the two in the Bible. Can a child love an abusive parent? Yes, I already said that, but what kind of children do you get? Neurotic, psychologically damage goods.
Love and Fear are opposites and they are not compatible. My son respects me and knows that I dish out consequences for undesired actions. I guarantee that boy does not fear me and I never want him to. I want him to be the man I know he can be. I want him to be better than me. I want him to show the world that love, strength and truth destroy fear. One day he’ll be old enough to do whatever he wants and when that day arrives I want him to respect me because he loves me so much that he doesn’t want me to be disappointed, not because he fears me.
What kind of parent needs their children to feel fear and love for them??? Well, to answer that question, here’s a quote from my opponent to give you an idea:
Quote:Would you hold dear or desire something that is unimpressive and ordinary?
I think my old man is a pathetic excuse for a father. I don’t think he’s impressive at all. You know what – I still love him very much. I hold him dear because he loved me and taught me … and in the end he was just as mislead and brainwashed as his old man. Fear is not required to love. Might I quote another reference from the bible that got glossed over in my opponents rebuttal.
1 John 4:18 ~ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear...
Clearly the Bible contradicts itself and this verse disagrees with my opponents statement above.
Sorry this went so long. I look forward to our conclusions and I’d like to add that I am not trying to disparage my opponent’s reputation as a good father. He may be an excellent father. Rather, I am trying to point out the flaws the scriptures offer regarding the love of a "heavenly father."
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