Kitchen Table Theology
Where Coffee, Conversation, and Theology Meet. During my 40 years in ministry, I’ve developed an increasing burden for what I sense to be an increase in biblical illiteracy, not only among those in our churches, but also in the young men and women entering the ministry. Conversely, I am hopeful, because I also sense a hunger from people to learn and know biblical truth and the things of God has revealed to us in Scripture. Our Kitchen Table Theology team has developed a list of over 150 doctrinal topics which I, along with one of my cohosts, Jen Denton or Tiffany Coker, examine weekly. Our goal is to educate and share biblical truth on the same level as if we were sitting at your kitchen table with a Bible and a pot of southern pecan coffee in front of us. Welcome to the table!
Kitchen Table Theology
028 God Is Love, Part Two
Podcast: Kitchen Table Theology
Podcast Series: God’s Amazing Attributes
Episode Number: 028
Episode Name: God is Love, Part Two
Episode Length: 23:36
Episode Download Link: Click here to download episode.
Host: Jeff Cranston
Co Host: Jen Denton
Episode Summary
If God loves all people, then why do we read in the Bible that God hated people? This is a theologically difficult topic, but one that we want to address here on Kitchen Table Theology. There are Scripture verses that tell us that God “hated”; how do we understand this?
Topics We Discussed in this Episode
● [5:45] God’s nature is love. He always does what is best for others. He also hates what is contrary to His nature; His hates what is contrary to love.
● [7:20] Sometimes, our understanding of an English word, and the variety of meanings and nuances we may be thinking of for that word, is not necessarily what the biblical writer means by the word.
● [9:44] The word “hate” biblically (in the Old Testament) means not giving special privilege or special protection to a specific group of people.
● [12:12] It is not a contradiction for God to be able to love and hate.
● [17:16] None of us can love with a perfect love, nor can we hate with a perfect hatred. But God can both love and hate perfectly, because He is God. God can hate without sinful intent.
Recommended Resources
● Jeff recommends “The Difficult Doctrine of the Love of God” by D.A. Carson for more on this topic.
Bible Verses We Mentioned in the Show
● Hosea 9:15
● Malachi 1:2-3
● 1 John 4:8
● Deuteronomy 12:31; 16:22
● Leviticus 20:1-23
● Proverbs 6:16-19
● 2 Peter 3:9
● Psalm 5:5; 5:10
● Psalm 11:5
● Romans 5:8
● Colossians 1:21; 1:13
● 2 Corinthians 5:17
Join the Conversation
We love your feedback! If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review. If you have any questions or comments on today’s episode, email me at pastorjeff@lowcountrycc.org
Visit my website jeffcranston.com and subscribe to my newsletter. Join me on Sunday mornings at LowCountry Community Church.
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Remember, the real power of theology is not only knowing it, but applying it. Thanks for listening!