Last updated 6-5-08.
The following Biblical references refer to verses that talk about loving God, a loving God and humans being loving toward others. The references and quotes contradict the violent, war-like, and apolyptic discussion in John's Book of Revelation, which was written many years after Jesus' death and in my view does not represent Jesus' or God's approach.
NOTE: These references illustrate the spiritual, relational side of faith that I refer to in the updated Epilogue to my book, "Countering Polarization" and to my web posting of an updated web version of my book published book, with the same title: Countering Polarization.
The main sources that I used for the following are two. Sing to the Lord, a Hymnal published by Lillemas Publ. Co., Kansas, MO 64141 (1993, 7th Printing). The second is, "The King James Bible". The latter tends to use the words "charity and charitable" where the former uses the word "Love". I personally prefer the word "love" with am emphasis that love is a two-way relationship between the care giver and the one who is cared for. I have written rlated sections on Hardwiring and Spirituality in Chapter 1-Section D and Chapter 2 - Section I in this book.
The Two Great Commandments from Jesus are: in Matt. 22, verses 37-39: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like unto it. "You shall love your neighbor as your self". These commandments also appear in Mark. 12, verses 30-33. Therein the words "with all your strength" are added to the first Commandment.
My favorite hymn is the song, "In the Garden" . TIn my view it represent the idea that we internalize our care-giver in the same way we internalized our Mother and subsequent care-givers.
It includes the words:
I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear, falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses
And he walks with me
And he talks with me
And he tells me I am His own
And the joy we share as we tarry there
None other has ever known.
I view these two commandments as the essense of all three Abrahamic faiths.
2.Tim.1.7 For "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
2. Tim. 2.4.
2. Tim. 2.22-2:26
2. Tim. 3.1-17
1. Tim. 1.5. "Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith."
1. Tim. 2.2. "For Kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverance."
1. Thesol. 3.11- Chapter 4.6
1. Thesol. 2.7. "But we were gentle among you just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children."
1. Thesol. 4.2-4. "For you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus."
Philipp. 1.17. "But the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel."
Philipp. 2.1-9.
Ephes. 2.4. "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,"
Ephes. 2.15
Ephes. 6.4. "And you fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Ephes. 6-10-18
Gal. 5.14-26. Law vs. Faith
1. Cor. 9.19-23 A section that refers to the variety of occupations that comprise complex governing systems and thus alludes to the need to broaden ones perspectives.
1. Cor. 13.2-13
2. Cor. 8.6-20
2. Cor. 10.2-7
Rom. 12. "exhort with liberality, diligence. mercy, cheerful love, kiindness, brotherly love, honor, .. Repay no one for evil with evil. There is a section that refers to the variety of occupations that comprise complex governing systems and thus alludes to the need to broaden ones perspectives.
Rom. 12. 7-21.
© Copyright: by Charles Notess, 2004-8. "Fair use" encouraged.