In class this past weekend we discussed the Church's focus on wrath in the past few centuries and how it has turned to a focus on Grace. God wants to forgive you (2 Pet. 3:9) and have a relationship with you. Which do you think is a better approach? Where is the balance? How do we get there?

If anyone is interested in reading Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" you can read it here:

http://www.jonathan-edwards.org/

Thanks for the resource!

Very interesting! I always wanted to read this sermon.

thank you I am gonna check it out now :)

I think that there is a balance. It's an equal balance. God is the Father, who as parents know, makes the rules. As children, we chose to follow them or not. God told us his rules and what happens if we follow them vs. not follow them. And, he will follow through with them. What happens here on earth isn't his wrath, it's the outcome of life. Just like if your parents said to be home by 10 pm, they don't cause the pain/joy that you experience while your out, they simply lay down the rules and what happens when they are broken or kept.

I think that's a good parallel. God is a good and wise parent and gives us rules for our own benefit. We see Him as a benevolent Father, but should not desire to abuse His grace. And even though He is gracious, there will still be consequences for our behavior. Natural consequences come to us in this lifetime, but God's wrath is still to come upon those who do not receive His gracious gift of salvation.