Poetic language in the Bible and a twist on John 3:16

[CatholicZ09]

I had done some research on the Westboro Baptist Church (I know, you’re asking, “WHY!!!”) Well, my curiosity got to me, and I decided to really look in what they believe. Basically they believe in Bible literacy and take everything literally that’s in the Bible. Now, they posted a quote from Psalm 5. It was Psalm 5:5 where it states, “You hate all workers of iniquity”. Now, they take that as a literal hate meaning God does indeed hate all workers of iniquity, which would be every single person on earth since we are all sinners and commit iniquities as a result of that. Thus they get their justification fro saying, “God hates you”, “God hates America”, “God hates Jews”, etc. etc. Well, I have been told that the psalms are to be read as poems and not taken so seriously as they are written since they are really just poetic writings. This would mean Westboro would be completely out of line for saying God hates everyone and everything, but if the psalms were to be taken seriously, they may have a point. Another point they bring up is the John 3:16 verse “For God so loved the world that he sent his only son…” Well, they say that John 3:16 was written in a way that makes “world” mean “elect”. Thus, God did NOT send his son into the world for everyone, just the elect; therefore, they follow Calvinist principles. They then go on to say that God predestined people for heaven in hell, meaning he did create people for the very purpose of hell (especially gays), and whatever they try to do to live holy lives, they will end up in hell no matter what. How is this possible? Is God really going send you to hell for leading a good life by following the message of Jesus? Where in the Bible does it state double predestination? They are so quick to point out anyone’s belief system/doctrines that they don’t believe and call them “unbiblical heretical lies” and that makes them “doomed to hell for eternity with no way of redeeming yourself in this life because God has planned for you to reject Him and defy Him because you are a rebel.”

I guess I am just trying to wrap my head around their belief system, which could be quite impossible to do. How does John 3:16 only speak of the elect and make everyone else doomed? We are supposed to read the psalms in a poetic manner, right?

I just don’t understand why God would create people just to hate them. I believe in the Book of Wisdom it states that God does not hate anything He fashioned. Sure, he corrects us like any loving father, but a father can’t hate his children for eternity. We are made in his own image after all.

Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[po18guy]

I had done some research on the Westboro Baptist Church (I know, you’re asking, “WHY?!?!”) Well, my curiosity got to me, and I decided to really look in what they believe. Basically they believe in Bible literacy and take everything literally that’s in the Bible.

If they have both eyes, both hands, and both feet, they are a bunch of hypocrites!

 

[SaintPatrick333]

I had done some research on the Westboro Baptist Church (I know, you’re asking, “WHY!!!”) Well, my curiosity got to me, and I decided to really look in what they believe. Basically they believe in Bible literacy and take everything literally that’s in the Bible. Now, they posted a quote from Psalm 5. It was Psalm 5:5 where it states, “You hate all workers of iniquity”. Now, they take that as a literal hate meaning God does indeed hate all workers of iniquity, which would be every single person on earth since we are all sinners and commit iniquities as a result of that. Thus they get their justification fro saying, “God hates you”, “God hates America”, “God hates Jews”, etc. etc. Well, I have been told that the psalms are to be read as poems and not taken so seriously as they are written since they are really just poetic writings. This would mean Westboro would be completely out of line for saying God hates everyone and everything, but if the psalms were to be taken seriously, they may have a point. Another point they bring up is the John 3:16 verse “For God so loved the world that he sent his only son…” Well, they say that John 3:16 was written in a way that makes “world” mean “elect”. Thus, God did NOT send his son into the world for everyone, just the elect; therefore, they follow Calvinist principles. They then go on to say that God predestined people for heaven in hell, meaning he did create people for the very purpose of hell (especially gays), and whatever they try to do to live holy lives, they will end up in hell no matter what. How is this possible? Is God really going send you to hell for leading a good life by following the message of Jesus? Where in the Bible does it state double predestination? They are so quick to point out anyone’s belief system/doctrines that they don’t believe and call them “unbiblical heretical lies” and that makes them “doomed to hell for eternity with no way of redeeming yourself in this life because God has planned for you to reject Him and defy Him because you are a rebel.”

I guess I am just trying to wrap my head around their belief system, which could be quite impossible to do. How does John 3:16 only speak of the elect and make everyone else doomed? We are supposed to read the psalms in a poetic manner, right?

I just don’t understand why God would create people just to hate them. I believe in the Book of Wisdom it states that God does not hate anything He fashioned. Sure, he corrects us like any loving father, but a father can’t hate his children for eternity. We are made in his own image after all.

Any thoughts/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Trying to understand insanity will only cause you to go insane yourself. The westboro bunch is a cult. Pure and simple. The people in it are misled by their leader who ought to realize he is doing satans work. Pray for them all. Pray for those within that group to see the light of Christ and run towards it, leaving the hatred they are indoctrinated with behind.

 

[Mintaka]

Considering they define the elect as “related to Phelps by blood or marriage;” and considering that they also believe Phelps is descended from some minor Old Testament guy who worked for David; and considering that they believe it’s the elect’s job to slaughter every single human being on earth except themselves, come the end of the world…

…it’s probably better to look away from the accident, unless it’s your job to do forensic analysis or profiling.

 

[nordskoven]

Fred Phelps violently and incessantly beat his children; and one daughter brought charges of sexual abuse that was quietly resolved. Wrap your head around that.

 

[patrick457]

The Westboro Baptist Church: so hate-filled that even the KKK does not want anything to do with it.