This is a good example of trying to explain to people that…God really loves you…but that doesn't mean that in many ways your life might not still really suck!
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops. 4“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!" -Jesus (according to Luke 12) Even if we limit ourselves to the gospels, it is just more complicated than "God loves you unconditionally," as true as that is if understood within the larger context. So, the mixed message of this cover may be about right 😉
MC – I think you cut the quote off a little too soon… “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Jesus begins with warning, but ends in comfort.
That said, the book title is a FAIL not so much because we don't believe in a God of wrath and judgment, but because the comforting word "he watches over you" have been twisted into something to fear and it is this fear alone which is meant as the impetus for right behaviour.
Todd, That's exactly my point. It's more complicated that just the 'fear not.' Jesus does not negate the warning. To simply ignore it or read it away does not do justice to the text.
This reminded me of a gift that my wife received from her parents, which they obviously didn't read beforehand: "The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes" (Copyright, 1956, by the Moody Bible Institute).
There are many gems inside it, including this one: "The man lying down on the floor is dead. . . . God punished [him] because he told a lie. Soon the people will carry him outside and make a hole and put him in it and cover him up. Questions: 1. Why is the man there on the floor? 2. Did he tell a lie to God?"
Let's just say it might lead to the same kind of expression that we see on the poor bear of this post!
7 comments
Liz Edrington says:
Nov 5, 2010
He sees you when you're sleeping… he knows when you're awake… he knows when you've been bad and yes it's you he will foresake…
Yikes! Whose god is that?
Mark Babikow says:
Nov 7, 2010
This is a good example of trying to explain to people that…God really loves you…but that doesn't mean that in many ways your life might not still really suck!
Michael Cooper says:
Nov 7, 2010
“Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 3Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.
4“I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!"
-Jesus (according to Luke 12)
Even if we limit ourselves to the gospels, it is just more complicated than "God loves you unconditionally," as true as that is if understood within the larger context. So, the mixed message of this cover may be about right 😉
Todd says:
Nov 7, 2010
MC – I think you cut the quote off a little too soon… “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows."
Jesus begins with warning, but ends in comfort.
That said, the book title is a FAIL not so much because we don't believe in a God of wrath and judgment, but because the comforting word "he watches over you" have been twisted into something to fear and it is this fear alone which is meant as the impetus for right behaviour.
Michael Cooper says:
Nov 7, 2010
Todd, That's exactly my point. It's more complicated that just the 'fear not.' Jesus does not negate the warning. To simply ignore it or read it away does not do justice to the text.
Michael Cooper says:
Nov 7, 2010
but more to the point of the cover…what it is actually saying is that God watches over us, even when we are fearful. I for one hope that is true.
Neil Alan Willard says:
Nov 12, 2010
This reminded me of a gift that my wife received from her parents, which they obviously didn't read beforehand: "The Bible in Pictures for Little Eyes" (Copyright, 1956, by the Moody Bible Institute).
There are many gems inside it, including this one: "The man lying down on the floor is dead. . . . God punished [him] because he told a lie. Soon the people will carry him outside and make a hole and put him in it and cover him up. Questions: 1. Why is the man there on the floor? 2. Did he tell a lie to God?"
Let's just say it might lead to the same kind of expression that we see on the poor bear of this post!