In talking with a pastor today, he stated that God loves mankind unconditionally. What say ye? Do you agree with this statement?

It is my understanding that God loves us conditionally, that is He loves us in Christ. The only way that God could love us was in the giving of his son for the redemption of mankind.

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Justin Williams
Christ Community Church, ARPC (Greensboro,NC)
Burlington, NC

Take a look at these old and locked threads and see what you think and then get into this again, new and fresh.

What exactly is meant by "unconditional love"

Does God HATES the non-elected ?

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Bob Vigneault (Bawb Vēēn-yo)
I just know there's got to be a pony in here somewhere!

The Heartbeat of Heaven (blog) MySpace (Music), MySpace (Personal)
Member of Christ Presbyterian Church, Janesville, WI OPC www.christ-opc.org

Click to get: Board Rules -- Signature Requirements -- Suggestions?

God's love is conditional upon His election and, by extention, one being covered by the spotlessness of Christ. Even the saints God loves conditionally, i.e. only because He has elected us.

I say this because He first loved us, and He only shows that love to those whom He has elected. There are those who would disagree and say that God loves the whole world, but I don't think either an active predestination or a passive allowance of reprobation leaves room for this statement. In one instance, God is actively judging rebels and destining them for Hell, in another, He is allowing them to heap damnation on their heads while they defile the current creation to rebel against thier creator. I think the latter implies the former though, but many still seem to make the distinction.

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Andrew DeShazo, Deacon, Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, Memphis, TN
"All of us stumble in many ways, but if anyone is never at fault in what he says, then he is mature, able to control his whole body."(James 3:2)

Mal 1:2-3, Rom 9:13

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Soli Deo Gloria

John Schultz
Member, Riveroaks Reformed Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Germantown, TN

"The reason why we worship God in a slight way is because we do not see God in His glory"
Jeremiah Burroughs