Is God Magnanimous? - (as opposed to tyrannical)

[St. SteVen]

Stumbled upon a word I rarely see used. Magnanimous.
I sought a complete definition. (see below)
When I found it, I realized that it fit my personal view of God.
God is magnanimous.

Defined as:
Highly moral, especially in showing kindness or forgiveness,
as in overlooking insults or not seeking revenge.

Questions:
- Is God known for showing kindness and forgiveness?
- Is God known for overlooking insults and not seeking revenge? (revenge is a sin)
- Is God easily offended? (a hothead)
- Does God repay evil with good? (as we are expected to)

/ cc: @Chadrho @Hillsage

 

[Lambano]

Questions:
- Is God known for showing kindness and forgiveness?
- Is God known for overlooking insults and not seeking revenge? (revenge is a sin)
- Is God easily offended? (a hothead)
- Does God repay evil with good? (as we are expected to)

Or, to use another New Testament word, "Gracious"?

(You wanna tag Jack and Big Boy so that they can point out all the places where God was less than magnanimous, like Uzziah, Annas and Sapphira, etc.?)

 

[St. SteVen]

Or, to use another New Testament word, "Gracious"?

Yes, that's good.

(You wanna tag Jack and Big Boy so that they can point out all the places where God was less than magnanimous, like Uzziah, Annas and Sapphira, etc.?)

Nope. - LOL

/

 

[Hillsage]

Stumbled upon a word I rarely see used. Magnanimous.
I sought a complete definition. (see below)
When I found it, I realized that it fit my personal view of God.
God is magnanimous.

Defined as:
Highly moral, especially in showing kindness or forgiveness,
as in overlooking insults or not seeking revenge.

Questions:
- Is God known for showing kindness and forgiveness?
- Is God known for overlooking insults and not seeking revenge? (revenge is a sin)
- Is God easily offended? (a hothead)
- Does God repay evil with good? (as we are expected to)

/ cc: @Chadrho @Hillsage

Not sure on some of these bro.

Answer;
1 Yes, I think he "is known for showing kindness or forgiveness."

2 ROM 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord."

3 A "hothead"? Don't know of a per se verse.

4 PSA 38:20 They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is.

Just some thoughts, for now.

 

[Lambano]

Nope. - LOL

Then let's beat the St. Valentine's Day rush and put it out front where we can deal with it.

I don't like it any more than you do, but the issue ain't gonna go away. Just how do we deal with those times when God wasn't exactly magnanimous?

 

[St. SteVen]

Just how do we deal with those times when God wasn't exactly magnanimous?

Good point. Better to run toward it than away from it.
So, what are our options? (send help)
- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are TRUE?
- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are FALSE?
- There is a problem with our view? Literal versus allegorical.
- There is a problem with the Bible translation? Doctrinal bias.

Any other options?

/ cc: @Hillsage

 

[RedFan]

I don't like it any more than you do, but the issue ain't gonna go away. Just how do we deal with those times when God wasn't exactly magnanimous?

Can we start with punishing children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the sins of a father (Ex. 34:7, Num. 14:18, Deut. 5:9)?

 

[Lambano]

Any other options?

Well, we could try denial, but that's usually not a viable long-term strategy.

 

[Lambano]

- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are TRUE?
- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are FALSE?

Should we be surprised if God is ... complicated and not binary? (Choice of words deliberate to see if I can get a rise out of Amigo.)

 

[Lambano]

The only strategy that I think works is to trust in God's Amazing Magnanimity (how sweet the sound!), while being very much aware that God isn't always safe.

 

[Soyeong]

Stumbled upon a word I rarely see used. Magnanimous.
I sought a complete definition. (see below)
When I found it, I realized that it fit my personal view of God.
God is magnanimous.

Defined as:
Highly moral, especially in showing kindness or forgiveness,
as in overlooking insults or not seeking revenge.

Questions:
- Is God known for showing kindness and forgiveness?
- Is God known for overlooking insults and not seeking revenge? (revenge is a sin)
- Is God easily offended? (a hothead)
- Does God repay evil with good? (as we are expected to)

/ cc: @Chadrho @Hillsage

Exodus 34:6-7 ”Then Adonai passed before him, and proclaimed, “Adonai, Adonai, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, and abundant in lovingkindness and truth, showing mercy to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, yet by no means leaving the guilty unpunished, but bringing the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, to the third and fourth generation.”“

 

[St. SteVen]

Well, we could try denial, but that's usually not a viable long-term strategy.

I had that covered on this point. (I think)
- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are FALSE?
So, we could probably rule out the TRUE or FALSE options?
Which leaves us with these two.

- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are TRUE?
- The claims of God NOT being magnanimous are FALSE?
- There is a problem with our view? Literal versus allegorical.
- There is a problem with the Bible translation? Doctrinal bias.

/

 

[Lambano]

What if the claims are sometimes true and sometimes false?

I know we turn to religion because we want black-or-white answers, but what if the truth is a shade of gray, say, shade #37?

 

[St. SteVen]

What if the claims are sometimes true and sometimes false?

If we take them case by case we may be able to rate them on a curve.
From probably true to probably false.

probably true --- sometimes true --- sometimes false --- probably false

That should clarify things.
But we may be accused of biblical relativism. (to coin a term)
That probably deserves a topic. - LOL

I know we turn to religion because we want black-or-white answers, but what if the truth is a shade of gray, say, shade #37?

Very true. Religion wants black-and-white answers, but the world is in full color. (since the 1930s)
Go figure. - LOL

/

 

[Carl Emerson]

I have given this issue a little thought...

The problem we have in classifying God - is that He is Holy 'other'

We cant expect Him to align with human morality - vengence is mine is a good example - it is OK for Him to have it but not us.

The anger of man will not accomplish the purposes of God but the anger of God will...

And the whole idea of Holiness is woefully understood.

An encounter with His Holiness renders one prostrate and mute.

We are light years away from His perfect view of matters.

We know that when Jesus returns in Glory folks will shrink away and hide in caves to avoid His gaze.

I am not inclined to believe in an imperfect God, so His Actions must be accepted regardless of our assessment of acceptability.

To be fair I have encountered His Holy presence more than once so I am biased - we are so privileged to know anything about Him.

Sinfulness and Holiness don't mix - reject Him and He seals your choice - thereafter. He is the potter and we are the clay - we deserve zero - but He wanted to fellowship with some of the people He had made and Jesus came to make that possible - the Gift - the invitation to co-habit in Holiness - we are so so blessed. Be thankful and honour the One on the throne - most of your questions will evaporate - so chill....

 

[Jack]

2 Kings 17:25 They did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

And He's far from done.

 

[Carl Emerson]

2 Kings 17:25 They did not fear the LORD; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them.

And He's far from done.

And yet to Fear Him is an undeserved Gift...

 

[St. SteVen]

I have given this issue a little thought...

Fantastic post. Thanks for your thoughtful and detailed explanation. I hope my response doesn't anger you. But, I suppose that's godly behavior. (in the common view) We call it righteous indignation.

The problem we have in classifying God - is that He is Holy 'other'

Granted... However, he did create us in his image, his likeness. We are his children, he is Father God. While he is, as you say: "He is Holy 'other'", we are much like him.

It seems to me that this idea that "his ways are above knowing" is used to white-wash some very bad doctrine. IMHO

We cant expect Him to align with human morality - vengence is mine is a good example - it is OK for Him to have it but not us.

The anger of man will not accomplish the purposes of God but the anger of God will...

I go the opposite direction on this one. Interesting how a preconception reverses the conclusion. It is assumed that God is vengeful when we read "vengeance is mine, I will repay." But if revenge is a sin, is it not also a sin for God? Does God have carte blanche to misbehave in ways we are not allowed to? What then is godly behavior? Wouldn't we be demonstrating godly behavior to take revenge? (nope)

I think to assume that God operates under a lower standard of morality than he hold us to is the wrong compass on the matter.
Jesus taught us to love our enemies because this is godly behavior. What then will God do with his enemies?

Matthew 5:44, 48 NIV
44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ...
48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

And the whole idea of Holiness is woefully understood.

I'm guessing you meant woefully MISunderstood?

An encounter with His Holiness renders one prostrate and mute.

We are light years away from His perfect view of matters.

We know that when Jesus returns in Glory folks will shrink away and hide in caves to avoid His gaze.

He lives in inapproachable light. But does this mean he is made of blazing fury? Why is so angry with the way he created us? Are we really to blame for that? Reminds me of a bumper sticker I saw.

JESUS IS COMING
And is he ever angry!

I am not inclined to believe in an imperfect God, so His Actions must be accepted regardless of our assessment of acceptability.

To be fair I have encountered His Holy presence more than once so I am biased - we are so privileged to know anything about Him.

There it is again. The carte blanche latitude that we give God. He can do no wrong. Genocide for the Canaanites? No problem. Non-Christians burning in hell forever? Who cares? Just be glad it's not you.

Therefore, all the bad things the church says that he will do... who will be able stop him? Best to just roll with the punches.

Sinfulness and Holiness don't mix - reject Him and He seals your choice - thereafter. He is the potter and we are the clay - we deserve zero - but He wanted to fellowship with some of the people He had made and Jesus came to make that possible - the Gift - the invitation to co-habit in Holiness - we are so so blessed. Be thankful and honour the One on the throne - most of your questions will evaporate - so chill....

If "Sinfulness and Holiness don't mix" how could anyone meet him, or have fellowship? Didn't Satan talk to God in the book of Job?
How come "we deserve zero"? (or worse) Are we not his children. Does God make broken pottery? Or some to be on a vase on a pedestal and others to be a toilet? That's quite a view. If I am understanding you. (hopefully not)

]

 

[St. SteVen]

@Carl Emerson I just quoted this on the Peshitta topic. Tribute from whom? (even sinful rebels)

Psalm 68:18 NET
You ascend on high;[a]
you have taken many captives.[b]
You receive tribute[c] from[d] men,
including even sinful rebels.
Indeed, the Lord God lives there.[e]

]

 

[Jack]

BILLIONS of humans will burn in Hell "forever and ever". MANY profess to be Christians. Won't be any hiding place!

Matthew 13:49-50
49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just,
50 and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."