Does God have the ability to hate people?

[elshiva]

So Phelps says, "God hates fags." Bullshit, of course, but then some respond, "God hates Phelps." Is it possible?

[shawn703]

1. I've always thought it was the sin God hates, never the sinner

But I am a little confused by the Scripture Phelps always quotes about God loving Jacob and hating Esau. Some people say it has to do with grace being given only to God's elect, other's say it's just a matter of God loving both, but preferring Jacob. Still others say God hated Esau because Esau hated him, rejecting His blessings and giving up his birthright.

I'd be interested to see how others here interpret that verse!

[elshiva]

2. Good point! Again how literal will take the text?

Jacob and Esau were probably historical persons yet the Bible uses them not just as persons, but as symbols for two peoples. Jacob is renamed Israel, so it should be obvious that he is a symbol for God's chosen nation (according to the Bible) while Esau, "red and hairy," is the Edomites (comes from the word meaning "red"), a rival people. The writers of the passage saw God bless the nation Israel with land, but not the Edomites, so they relayed this story.
To say God hated Esau means he did not favor him, again it's more than just the literal text here.
Again, Phelps is a fundamentalist, but I believe in historical criticism.

[polmaven]

3. In my opinion...

....and it is only my opinion, mind you, the two words...God & hate...cannot be used even in the same sentence together. God is the very definition of love.

Mr. Phelps is obviously projection his own prejudice and hate onto God, and I'm very sure God is saddened by that....(by both the hate and the projection of it onto God).

I see absolutely NO EVIDENCE that God is capable of "hating" God's people.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. I agree

I don't think God hates anybody. I wonder if he ever gets frustrated... Especially with people like Phelps and the Bush's and their croonies.

[elshiva]

13. I think he does get frustrated and worried about people, though.

[polmaven]

14. Sure God does.

God's frustration and worry are as real as God's love. God can only be saddened and frustrated by the actions of God's beloved people. God worries that perhaps we, with our God given free will, will reject God's love and turn away from God.

[GOPBasher]

4. I don't think God hates any person He created. n/t

[elshiva]

6. Amen!

;)

[mrgorth]

5. I'd say no.

[scarlet_owl]

7. I wouldn't think God could hate anybody, but I don't claim

to know God's mind.

[elshiva]

8. Mortals cannot know the mind of God.

However... Certain revelations (personal) seem to point towards God not being able to hate...

[doublethink]

9. Please Forward to GWB ....

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Proverbs 6:16-19 :) Peace.

[RevCheesehead]

10. What? No homosexuals?

No pro-choice people? No Iraqis? God must not have gotten the memo. :sarcasm:

[elshiva]

11. Thanks! Notice "things" that God hates not people!

lies and killing people seems fair enough for God to hate that!