For God So Hates The World

John 3:16 could just as easily be read; For God so hates the world that whosoever does not believe the Christ Story will not perish, but burn in complete torment with the gnashing of teeth for all of eternity.

My dad has this passage marked in his bible as his most favorite passage as I am sure many others have as well. Honestly I find the bible the scariest book I’ve ever read. Stephen King hasn’t even come close to writing horror as the men of the bible have. John 3:16 is not a love story to me; instead a demand for there is no choice here. Either you believe or don’t. By believing you are totally convinced Christ was born of a virgin; is God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all in one; healed the sick, cured the blind, was crucified, died, and resurrected from the dead. You believe the skies will once again open up and Christ and his legions are going to return to earth to rule. You believe the cracker you eat and the wine you drink during communion are not representing flesh and blood but are indeed flesh and blood. You believe there will be a great battle between God and satan. You believe in satan and demons. You believe in angels and heavenly hosts. Not only do you believe all of this but also you live a righteous life knowing you can fall from grace if you sway from totally believing, realizing should you sway you will burn in hell for ever and ever. Also you know the bible is the only true book on the face of the earth and must follow it to the tee. Any other writings on the subject matter of God are to be considered hearsay and to be considered misleading. To me it appears impossible, just as the law in the old testament, to fulfill all that is required of you even under grace, for surely some doubt exists somewhere with everyone.

Exactly how each book of the bible was written, how the books were compiled and put together as the bible, and how many times the bible has been translated I do not know. However it is obvious man has had his hand in it. Is it possible somehow during the centuries of this book errors could have been made by mans input? I’m not doubting the bible as the inspired word, for it truly gets me to thinking about God and all creation, but I can’t help but feel horror has been induced into the story by man so all will believe. Look at all of what man has done over all of his existence and you will find corruption as well as wonderful creations. Look at what God has done and what do you see?

Recently my mother-in-law sent me an email with the cutest pictures ever with children and miniature horses. Never have I ever seen anything so cute. God created the little horse from dirt just as He created you and me. What I see from Gods creation is wonder and beauty all around me, but can’t say the same of man’s. What good is creation if there is none to enjoy and to be amazed with it? Why does a painter paint, a writer write, a builder build, and a dancer dance if not to bring about a wonder to those who view what they have done, and/or to experience life through expression?

I’ve read from other sources to truly know God one has to only study nature and the universe around them. I’ve heard discussed how our bodies are no more than incubators for which the soul resides and life, the time of incubation, and death the birth of the soul. How better for God to enjoy his creation than by experiencing it through his creation?

I can’t help but believe over time man has used the “Boggie Bear” mentality to make folks believe this or that. Does hell exist and will folks go there? The bible says so and there is probably truth to this, however who will go there I believe has been tampered with. All I know there is good and bad and we all know it. We also know right from wrong. Can a good person do bad things and still be good? Can a bad person do good things and still be bad? If you are kind to your neighbor, generous to the needy, caring of the widows, loving and respectful to family, but not entirely believe the Christ story are you going to toast forever? If you take advantage of the needy and completely self-serving, but yet believe the Christ story are you headed for pure bliss?

I find the bible very disturbing by yet enticing for it feeds the soul. Maybe when one discovers they are carrying a soul inside of them which wants to experience all God has created is when they are actually born again, when they and the soul become one. I believe God does love the world and all which He has created. As far as heaven and hell, that is way beyond me. Is it as simple as heaven and hell? Is it black and white? Is there not any middle ground? I don’t know but I am learning. By re-introducing dad’s, Frank J. Surface, work I am discovering from his writings and by further research of reading the bible, goggling the internet, reading other books, and studying nature.

Preston Surface 02/17/2012