Hating Doctrine vs Hating People

[rockytopva]

Hating Doctrine vs Hating People...

1. God hates liberal doctrine - ...The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. - Revelation 2:15
2. God loves people - We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

There have been many put to death over what was believed false doctrine, as we had this past week. Hopefully I have posted enough scripture in that we are to hate the sin yet love the sinner. I myself have had to learn good character in the midst of what I would call weak foundations. I have left some churches after the feeling I was in more of a rock concert setting than a Christian one. And having the prophecy of Isaiah come to mind as I was sitting through all of that...

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: - Isaiah 29:13

 

[Wynona]

The love of God in a person is such a wonderful thing. The kind of love that blesses enemies.

 

[MatthewG]

This post from the Christianity Board forum explores the tension between rejecting false doctrine and maintaining love for individuals—a classic theological distinction often summarized as “hate the sin, love the sinner”.

Core Message​

The author draws a line between:

• Condemning false teachings (e.g., liberal doctrine, Nicolaitanes in Revelation 2:15)
• Upholding love for people, citing 1 John 4:19 as a reminder that divine love precedes human love

They argue that while God expresses hatred toward corrupt doctrine, He still loves individuals—even those who may be misled or misguided.

Personal Reflection​

The writer shares their own discomfort with certain church environments, describing them as more like “rock concerts” than reverent worship settings. This critique is paired with a reference to Isaiah 29:13, which laments superficial worship and man-made teachings that lack heartfelt devotion.

This suggests:

• A concern for authenticity in worship
• A desire for doctrinal integrity
• A warning against emotional or aesthetic manipulation in religious settings

Historical and Contemporary Weight​

The mention of people being “put to death over what was believed false doctrine” adds gravity. It implies that doctrinal disputes have real-world consequences—sometimes tragic—and that discernment must be paired with compassion.

Theological Implication​

The post invites readers to:

• Examine their own foundations
• Avoid conflating doctrinal disagreement with personal hatred
• Pursue spiritual maturity by balancing truth and love

 

[rockytopva]

Notes on the seriousness of persecuting people on the grounds of doctrine.... And... I believe one ought to think real hard about any kind of offense towards other believers on doctrinal grounds...

"Neither God nor his Spirit have counseled such an action. Christ did not treat those who negated him that way." - Italian poet Camillo Renato on the Servetus execution
"To kill a man is not to protect a doctrine, but it is to kill a man." - French humanist Sébastien Chateillon on the Servetus execution
"I consider it a serious matter to kill men because they are in error on some question of scriptural interpretation, when we know that even the elect ones may be led astray into error." - Michael Servetus

 

[rockytopva]

Not only that.... Just looking at people wrong is enough to drive folks away these days. Whereas in times past they would have given a firm warning. Especially as they were so greatly established in their faith

 

[Muna]

Killing men can both fulfill and create a doctrines too, Jesus Christ is a good example of that

Acts 13:27 For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him.

Which is what was witnessed and what is taught, which is the offense of the cross

Acts 5:28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

They must have forgotten what they said

Matt 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.


Mark 13:9 But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.