Hate by Jay E Adams

It is commonly taught that “God hates the sin but loves the sinner.” Few ever examine, let alone challenge, that statement. Yet not only do we read of God’s hatred toward evil-doers (“You hate all workers of iniquity” [Ps. 5:5]), but we know that it is upon men, not their sins, that God’s hatred poured His wrath. And it is human beings, not their sins, who will suffer forever in hell. Doesn’t it seem wrong, therefore, to say God hates sin but loves the sinner?

“Well, when you put it that way, yes. I guess so. But that creates problems too.” Of course it does. But we must not assert a falsehood or reject truth merely because doing so raises new problems the error (wrongly) avoided.

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