Saint Anthony vs. "the God cannot be in the presence of sin" concept

[Pavel Mosko]

A Facebook friend posted this comment and a saint Anthony meme that speaks against it.

"...but God cannot look at or be in the presence of sin... lets discuss"

 

[peregrinus2017]

Saying that God can't stand to be in the presence of sin always seemed so wrong and backwards to me. Surely it makes much more sense to say that sin can't stand to be in the presence of God.

 

[com7fy8]

Possibly, it's more like God can't stand what sin does to a person; so God clears someone and cleanses him or her, and transforms a person to become like Jesus who is so pleasing to our Father.

 

[~Anastasia~]

It is impossible that sin overcomes/repels God such that He cannot be in its presence.

1. Satan presented himself before God and conversed with Him in Job ... Satan is almost synonymous with sin.

2. Jesus is God, and He became incarnate and spent his lifetime on earth surrounded by sin and sinners.

3. God is everywhere present. It would be ridiculous to think that somehow He is pushed out or shrinks away from where sin is present.

That's what comes up off the top of my head. I was raised being taught God couldn't be in the presence of sin or could not look upon sin, but I've since come to think that has to be completely wrong.

I do agree it's more a matter of sin not abiding easily in God's presence.

 

[jahel]

It is impossible that sin overcomes/repels God such that He cannot be in its presence.

1. Satan presented himself before God and conversed with Him in Job ... Satan is almost synonymous with sin.

2. Jesus is God, and He became incarnate and spent his lifetime on earth surrounded by sin and sinners.

3. God is everywhere present. It would be ridiculous to think that somehow He is pushed out or shrinks away from where sin is present.

That's what comes up off the top of my head. I was raised being taught God couldn't be in the presence of sin or could not look upon sin, but I've since come to think that has to be completely wrong.

I do agree it's more a matter of sin not abiding easily in God's presence.

That is the reason for the need of a mediator.

 

[The Liturgist]

It is impossible that sin overcomes/repels God such that He cannot be in its presence.

1. Satan presented himself before God and conversed with Him in Job ... Satan is almost synonymous with sin.

2. Jesus is God, and He became incarnate and spent his lifetime on earth surrounded by sin and sinners.

3. God is everywhere present. It would be ridiculous to think that somehow He is pushed out or shrinks away from where sin is present.

That's what comes up off the top of my head. I was raised being taught God couldn't be in the presence of sin or could not look upon sin, but I've since come to think that has to be completely wrong.

I do agree it's more a matter of sin not abiding easily in God's presence.

Indeed, the Orthodox interpretation of Heaven and Hell is that God is a consuming fire of pure love; for the righteous (those likewise dilled with godly love), this will be paradise, but for the wicked (the hateful), it will be an unbearable torture.

I am working on figuring out a good way to explain this doctrine to Western Christians who are poorly catechized and imagine Hell as a fiery red dungeon with torture equipment.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Indeed, the Orthodox interpretation of Heaven and Hell is that God is a consuming fire of pure love; for the righteous (those likewise dilled with godly love), this will be paradise, but for the wicked (the hateful), it will be an unbearable torture.

I am working on figuring out a good way to explain this doctrine to Western Christians who are poorly catechized and imagine Hell as a fiery red dungeon with torture equipment.

As far as explaining, I like something I heard. At least some parts might be helpful.

it was a 3-part podcast here - Reaching the Nones and Dones | Ancient Faith Ministries

I wish I could tell you exactly where. I think it's early in part one but he was talking about how he explains Orthodoxy as opposed to western beliefs in Christianity and how those who rejected Christianity responded to it, since mostly they rejected it based on misconceptions created by "hellfire torture" by God.

I wanted to save it myself and I think I once transcribed that part and posted it here for someone. But it was the best of heatd so far.

I want very much to see that documentary too.