Should a Christian love God or fear God?

[Hestha]

Often, the phrase "God-fearing Christians" are used to describe certain Christians who fear God, and this phrase is actually a good thing. Yet, Christians are told to love God. Based on terminology alone, love and fear are opposites.

Example: Hydrophilic, lipophobic molecules are polar. Hydrophobic, lipophilic molecules are nonpolar. Homophilia is love of sameness. Homophobia is fear of sameness; however, it has been used interchangeably with homoerotophobia, which means the fear of homosexuals, which is more than just a fear, but also includes discrimination against sexual minorities.

Perhaps, love of God would be "theophilia" and fear or hatred of God would be "theophobia"? If that is the case, then how is it possible to be theophilic and theophobic at the same time? Compare a Christian to an amphipathic transmembrane protein?

 

[talitha]

Compare a Christian to an amphipathic transmembrane protein?

A what?

 

[Hestha]

A what?

Perhaps, this may help: Membrane Structure and Function

 

[Mcrfan343]

Love God. The only ones who should fear him is Satan. Orrah!

 

[drich0150]

Often, the phrase "God-fearing Christians" are used to describe certain Christians who fear God, and this phrase is actually a good thing. Yet, Christians are told to love God. Based on terminology alone, love and fear are opposites.

Example: Hydrophilic, lipophobic molecules are polar. Hydrophobic, lipophilic molecules are nonpolar. Homophilia is love of sameness. Homophobia is fear of sameness; however, it has been used interchangeably with homoerotophobia, which means the fear of homosexuals, which is more than just a fear, but also includes discrimination against sexual minorities.

Perhaps, love of God would be "theophilia" and fear or hatred of God would be "theophobia"? If that is the case, then how is it possible to be theophilic and theophobic at the same time? Compare a Christian to an amphipathic transmembrane protein?

Perhapse the word that is translated into the english word 'Love' does not mean what you think it means. -or- Perhapse the word your having trouble with is the word they translated into the english word 'fear.' this is the most logical conclusion as your explainations of the to passages seems to overly rely on the literal popular english interperations of these words. rather than the intended meaning of the Orginal Hebrew and Greek passages.

 

[talitha]

Hestha, perhaps it would help if you simply explain what that has to do with my relationship with God. Scientific aptitude is notttt my thing.

 

[Hospes]

I found that better recognizing and understanding my natural bent toward a "fear of man", it became clear what it means to fear God.

Fear of man - a concern for what other people think of you, how they'll react to you, and whether they will be pleased with you.

Fear of God- a concern for what God thinks of you, how he'll react to you, and whether he will be pleased with you.

So, as my love for God grows, my fear of God grows, i.e. my concern with his opinion of me grows. Exact same dynamic shows up in our relationships with the people we love.

 

[americanvet]

A bad example....but.

For those of you with parents. You ever thought you might disappoint them or done something they would not like. If your said yes, then the opening question should make sense. If you said no then I can't explain it to you.

 

[Publius]

Often, the phrase "God-fearing Christians" are used to describe certain Christians who fear God, and this phrase is actually a good thing. Yet, Christians are told to love God. Based on terminology alone, love and fear are opposites.

How are they they incompatible?

 

[dogs4thewin]

It is both love and fear. Fear in this sense means respect. Respect Him, but do not be afraid to talk to Him, just like a good Earthly father.

 

[brevis]

Fear of the Lord the
is in the Old Testament used as a designation of true piety (Prov 1: 7 Job 28: 28; Ps 19: 9. It is a fear conjoined with love and hope, and is therefore not a slavish dread, but rather filial reverence. (Comp. Deut 32: 6 Hos 11: 1 Isa 1: 2 63: 16; 64: 8) God is called "the Fear of Isaac" (Gen 31: 42, 53), i. e., the God whom Isaac feared.
A holy fear is enjoined also in the New Testament as a preventive of carelessness in religion, and as an incentive to penitence (Matt 10: 28; 2 Cor 5: 11; 7: 1 Phil 2: 12; Eph 5: 21; Heb 12: 28, 29).

Easton Dictionary of the Bible

 

[ForceofTime]

Perhaps, love of God would be "theophilia" and fear or hatred of God would be "theophobia"? If that is the case, then how is it possible to be theophilic and theophobic at the same time? Compare a Christian to an amphipathic transmembrane protein?

I know next to nothing about chemistry, but a cursory investigation leads me to one conclusion: soap.

Following this line of thinking leads to a Christian having a the hydrocarbon chain (flesh?) which is hydrophobic with an oxygen head (Christ, Holy Spirit?) which is hydrophilic.

 

[Hospes]

Often, the phrase "God-fearing Christians" are used to describe certain Christians who fear God, and this phrase is actually a good thing. Yet, Christians are told to love God. Based on terminology alone, love and fear are opposites.

Example: Hydrophilic, lipophobic molecules are polar. Hydrophobic, lipophilic molecules are nonpolar. Homophilia is love of sameness. Homophobia is fear of sameness; however, it has been used interchangeably with homoerotophobia, which means the fear of homosexuals, which is more than just a fear, but also includes discrimination against sexual minorities.

Perhaps, love of God would be "theophilia" and fear or hatred of God would be "theophobia"? If that is the case, then how is it possible to be theophilic and theophobic at the same time? Compare a Christian to an amphipathic transmembrane protein?

Dazzling! Such big words!

 

[Hestha]

I know next to nothing about chemistry, but a cursory investigation leads me to one conclusion: soap.

Following this line of thinking leads to a Christian having a the hydrocarbon chain (flesh?) which is hydrophobic with an oxygen head (Christ, Holy Spirit?) which is hydrophilic.

Huh?

Oxygen is lipophilic or hydrophobic. Where did you get the "hydrophobic" oxygen head? When you mentioned the "hydrocarbon chain", I thought you meant the phospholipids of the cellular membrane, not the embedded transmembrane proteins within the membrane.

 

[brinny]

Often, the phrase "God-fearing Christians" are used to describe certain Christians who fear God, and this phrase is actually a good thing. Yet, Christians are told to love God. Based on terminology alone, love and fear are opposites.

Example: Hydrophilic, lipophobic molecules are polar. Hydrophobic, lipophilic molecules are nonpolar. Homophilia is love of sameness. Homophobia is fear of sameness; however, it has been used interchangeably with homoerotophobia, which means the fear of homosexuals, which is more than just a fear, but also includes discrimination against sexual minorities.

Perhaps, love of God would be "theophilia" and fear or hatred of God would be "theophobia"? If that is the case, then how is it possible to be theophilic and theophobic at the same time? Compare a Christian to an amphipathic transmembrane protein?

"Fear" of God means respecting Him for Who He is. Only in "fearing" God in this way can one truly "love" God. Fearing God includes being in "awe" of how "inexplicable" He is. This all-powerful, holy God, Who rejoices over us with singing. His joy becomes ours. The realization that He loved us ALREADY before we loved Him takes root, and His love and grace is shed abroad in our hearts, minds, and souls. He is the living God, the God of the living. We are fully alive in Him, through His only begotten Son, Who died, and resurrected, and now sits at the right hand of our Abba, our Father, Almighty God. We have much to be thankful for, for sin and death no longer have a hold on us. Our Savior, the Son of the living God, has set us free. Halleluia!!!

"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." ~Proverbs 9:10

Resurrection Power by Kelanie Gloeckler at MorningStar Ministries - YouTube

 

[ForceofTime]

Huh?

Oxygen is lipophilic or hydrophobic. Where did you get the "hydrophobic" oxygen head? When you mentioned the "hydrocarbon chain", I thought you meant the phospholipids of the cellular membrane, not the embedded transmembrane proteins within the membrane.

Hope this helps?

Source
The carboxylate end of the soap molecule is attracted to water. It is called the hydrophilic (water-loving) end.

The hydrocarbon chain is attracted to oil and grease and repelled by water. It is known as the hydrophobic (water-hating) end

Another source
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][Edit: added quote] "Soap molecules have both properties of non-polar and polar at opposite ends of the molecule." [/FONT]

 

[ForceofTime]

I know next to nothing about chemistry, but a cursory investigation leads me to one conclusion: soap.

Following this line of thinking leads to a Christian having a the hydrocarbon chain (flesh?) which is hydrophobic with an oxygen head (Christ, Holy Spirit?) which is hydrophilic.

I wanted to add that continuing in this line would mean the soap molecule (Christian) has both Hydrophobic (God-fearing) and Hydrophilic (God-loving) properties.

 

[Sketcher]

You both love and fear God.

 

[freezerman2000]

Love God.That negates the need for fear.

 

[ForceofTime]

Huh?

Oxygen is lipophilic or hydrophobic. Where did you get the "hydrophobic" oxygen head? When you mentioned the "hydrocarbon chain", I thought you meant the phospholipids of the cellular membrane, not the embedded transmembrane proteins within the membrane.

After looking a bit further on the subject, I see that soap is not quite the answer which suits your question.

My question to you is if a Christian is a tansmembrane protein, what would a non-believer be in this scenario?