Abandoned Quote by D. A. Carson
“The cliché, God hates the sin but love the sinner, is false on the face of it and should be abandoned. Fourteen times in the first fifty Psalms alone, we are told that God hates the sinner, His wrath is on the liar, and so forth. In the Bible, the wrath of God rests both on the sin (Romans 1:18ff) and on the sinner (John 3:36).”
About This Quote
Source Bible: Romans 1:18ff; John 3:36; Psalms 1‑50
Both sin and sinner attract divine wrath, contradicting the simplistic “God hates the sin but loves the sinner” view.
In simple terms: God’s judgment applies to actions and persons alike.
Key Takeaway
Avoid oversimplified theological statements.
Themes
theology
ethics
biblical interpretation
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
theological
explanatory
When to use this quote
- preaching
- teaching
- personal reflection
- counseling
Key Concepts
divine justice
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this affect pastoral care?
- What balance exists between judgment and love?
A Different Perspective
The claim may overlook biblical themes of repentance and grace.
