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Frank L. Hoffman Interviewed: Who Is The Real God?
Answer by Frank L. Hoffman - 22 Feb 2003

Dear Colin and Others:

Who is the real God? The one who is revealed to us in the Bible.

When teaching Bible studies, I would always mention that doctrinal differences and traditions arise because people look at various Scriptures from different perspectives.

As an example: The Hudson river flows from North to South. If you were standing on the bank of the river watching a ship going from left to right, would it be going north toward Albany or south toward New York City. Think about the answer before answering. If a person were standing on the west bank, the ship your watching would be heading south toward New York City, but if a person were standing on the east side, the ship would be heading north toward Albany.

In order to interpret Scripture properly, we likewise need to have a frame of reference. If we have two conflicting interpretations we most likely are arriving at our interpretation from differing reference points.

Let's begin by stating that the Biblical principles taught in the Bible are not contradictory. Let's also state that the ultimate goal is to be perfected in God's love. Let's add to this "spiritual soup" the fact that God grants concessions that are counter to His will and intent.

The example closest to our hearts is that God's intent was that we would all be vegan (Genesis 1:29-30).  This is proven by the fact that there is no death in heaven. Thus, the permission to eat flesh, must be a concession.

Having laid out this background, let's return to looking at Colin's first part of the question, "Would God commit mass murder?" A simple reading of Genesis Chapter 7 could very easily lead us to say yes, but in Exodus Chapter 20, we are told that murder is wrong, and in the New Testament, Jesus even takes away capital punishment. He also teaches that it is better to die than to take a life by defending yourself. His death on the cross proves this, as does the letter to the church at Smyrna in Revelation Chapter 2.

We need to understand that God sees beyond the limits of human beings and knows if they have any redeemable qualities; thus, He and only He is qualified to condemn or pardon. This takes away any evil intent from His decisions. So, He is not a "beast".

To pray against peace is counter to the will of God. Doing so would even take away God's blessing (Matthew 5:9) and possibly even render our "children of God" status void.

Can such people still truly be Christian?

I've pondered that question over and over again, but I know that God knows.

Let's add a parallel question that Colin didn't ask: are people who make war on innocent animals really Christians?

But when we get down to the "nitty-gritty", each and every one of us has something that isn't perfected in God's perfect will, and this is where grace comes into play.

But for grace to take hold, there must be sincere repentance. It is only here that we come close to seeing another person's heart. Is what they do premeditated, or is it just a mistake for which they are truly sorry?

When we sort through all of this we come closer to knowing who God really is, and who is working against Him. Bush is far from being God as are any material goods or money, but people elevate such people and things to positions of gods, of which there are to be none before our One and True God.

Why do people do this? Because they have a lust of the eye, a lust of the flesh, and a boastful pride of life.

But when we seek the truth in Love, we will find it, and come to realize that God was walking with us every step of the way.

In the Love of the Lord,

Frank

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