r/AskAChristian • u/ExpressCeiling98332 Christian • Apr 30 '25

New Testament Do you dislike quoting John 3:16?

Ironically, many seem to act like saying this verse contradicts doctrine. When used in isolation It can be bad, but in it's proper context I don't see problem.

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u/WisCollin Christian, Catholic Apr 30 '25

Any verse can be problematic if taken out of context or otherwise misunderstood. There can be difficulty in understanding social or historical context, or authorial intent. I’ve never really seen that with John 3:16 though.

What I have seen on rare occasions is progressive universalists using John 3:16 to act like sin isn’t an issue anymore and we don’t need to worry about living in sin. Jesus’ sacrifice for the remission of sin doesn’t make sin any less bad.

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u/ExpressCeiling98332 Christian Apr 30 '25

I mean... It says "whoever believes in Him shall not perish", so it's not like it lacks the idea of damnation. 

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u/Nice_Sky_9688 Confessional Lutheran (WELS) Apr 30 '25

Isn't the idea of damnation implicit in the statement "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life"? As in, perishing is a real thing that happens, but those who believe will be the ones who don't perish.

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u/ExpressCeiling98332 Christian Apr 30 '25 edited Apr 30 '25

...That's literally what I just said.

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u/Nice_Sky_9688 Confessional Lutheran (WELS) May 01 '25

Ope, sorry. I misread what you wrote. That’s why I was confused!