Does Bible Scripture content as a whole more closely align with "Fire & Brimstone preaching" or "Compassionate, Mercy, Gracious, preaching" ?

[bartmac123]

Does Bible Scripture content as a whole more closely align with "Fire & Brimstone preaching" or "Compassionate, Mercy, Gracious, preaching" ?

[FJK]

15 minutes ago, bartmac123 said:

Does Bible Scripture content as a whole more closely align with "Fire & Brimstone preaching" or "Compassionate, Mercy, Gracious, preaching" ?

Can one be fully understood without understanding the other as well?

[farouk]

3 minutes ago, FJK said:

Can one be fully understood without understanding the other as well?

There is a place for everything; what counts really is a balanced, Scriptural presentation.

[bartmac123]

@FJK and @faroukI come from a Legalistic Traditional Catholic family background from an Eastern culture.  To elaborate, there was a disproportionate emphasis on cultural-religious social norms just like the Pharisees.  Lot of elderly relatives of mine especially in the rural areas would most resort to sanctimonious "Fire & Brimstone preaching", "doom & gloom" talk.  The following verses comes to mind:

 

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Colossians 2:21-23

New American Standard Bible 1995

 

21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish [a]with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in [c]self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

 

 

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Matthew 23:1-4
New American Standard Bible 1995

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, 2 saying: “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; 3 therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. 4 They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.

 

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Matthew 23:23-28
New American Standard Bible 1995

23 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and [a]cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others. 24 You blind guides, who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel!

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of robbery and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of it may become clean also.

27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.

 

 

[Vine Abider]

3 hours ago, bartmac123 said:

Does Bible Scripture content as a whole more closely align with "Fire & Brimstone preaching" or "Compassionate, Mercy, Gracious, preaching" ?

I've considered this a bit over the years.  Certainly from the old covenant the tilt seems to be more on the harsh side.  But that was because God was dealing with people on the basis of the law - black & white letters.

But "grace and truth (reality) came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17 So if you look firstly at how Jesus spoke, it was full of compassion, mercy and grace." It was really only the legalistic Pharisees that he was stern with, right?

Then look at how the word is preached by the apostles - full of the love/grace to be found in Christ and little about "fire & brimstone." There are warnings or consequence for various actions (for both believer/unbeliever), to be sure, but I think those are much more minor when considering the whole of the New Testament.

[Marathoner]

Something to consider: as we judge, so the Lord judges us. We see this reflected in the words of the Lord, particularly in the Gospels where He shows mercy for the blind who can't see (tax collectors and prostitutes). However, the Lord condemns the blind who claim that they see; being the Pharisees, Saduccees, and the lawyers. 

A hard heart and stiff neck are dealt with severely by the Lord which, as we see in the example of the Old Covenant, was widespread. But the Law cannot create a new heart in man, which our Lord Jesus Christ changed with His coming in this flesh. 

Yes, Jesus Christ is mercy, grace, and the perfect love of God. In Him, we are given a new heart. 

[killiekrankie]

3 hours ago, FJK said:

Can one be fully understood without understanding the other as well?

Agreed!

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14) 

Jesus came full of grace and truth.  God Bless All   

[killiekrankie]

29 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

But "grace and truth (reality) came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17 So if you look firstly at how Jesus spoke, it was full of compassion, mercy and grace." It was really only the legalistic Pharisees that he was stern with, right?

I posted my reply on John 1 before I read yours!  Well said.  But Jesus was stern with more people than the pharisees alone.  For example he called Herod a Fox. He told the lukewarm that they would be spewed out of his mouth.  And he told the unbelieving and the sexually immoral that they would have their part in the lake of fire.  God Bless   

[Ogner]

People perceive kindness as weakness.

Jesus displayed some kindness and said a couple of good words for people and He paid for this with his life. 

I guess He had a little too much with "Compassionate, Mercy, Gracious, preaching". 

Good and kind people should show more aggression otherwise will be eaten alive or will crucify like Jesus.

Don't be too sweet, otherwise you will be eaten. 

People are evil! 

[AnOrangeCat]

15 hours ago, bartmac123 said:

Does Bible Scripture content as a whole more closely align with "Fire & Brimstone preaching" or "Compassionate, Mercy, Gracious, preaching" ?

I see them as deeply complimentary to each other. Without the threat fire and brimstone what are we being saved from exactly? If there was no divine judgement what would be the point of Jesus dying on the cross for us?