That’ll Preach Understanding God’s Mercy with Ryan Hurd
Jul 8, 2025
Ryan Hurd, a systematic theologian known for his insights on the nature of God, digs into the profound topic of God's mercy. He clarifies how mercy aligns with God's immutability and sovereignty, countering modern misunderstandings that project human emotions onto the divine. The conversation tackles the complexity of divine mercy in scripture, shedding light on the interplay between grace and hardships. Hurd emphasizes that God's mercy is fundamentally compassionate, urging listeners to embody this mercy in their lives.
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Understanding Divine Mercy Metaphorically
- God's mercy is not like human emotions but a complex doctrinal truth consistent with His impassibility.
- Scripture's language on God's mercy is metaphorical, reflecting truth beyond our emotional terms.
Mercy Excluded as a Passion
- Traditional theology excludes all passions including mercy from God to maintain His impassibility.
- Linguistic metaphors such as God being angry or merciful point us toward underlying realities like divine justice or salvation.
Prophets Convey Truth, Not Theology
- Prophets were inspired and highly trained, though not explicitly teaching doctrines like impassibility.
- They conveyed truth under divine illumination rather than articulating technical metaphysical concepts.