When I went to church as a child we attended a church where the pastor preached fire and brimstone sermons. I never became a member there; I was terrified of that church and wanted nothing to do with it. Fear of God and strict obedience to him was the principle theme of that church. But the Bible tells us that God is love, and love is incompatible with fear, isn’t it? Why should we fear a loving God? Aren’t the two beliefs contradictory?1 Peter 2:17: “Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.” So the command to ...