Need advice on how to handle boyfriend's anger issues

My boyfriend gets so mad to the point where it really scares me. We will be having an argument about something that really doesn't mean all that much and because I nag him to get an answer out of him sometimes he gets mad and looks like he is about to explode and has to get away from me. I know I'm provoking him but I don't get how me nagging him can make him so mad as to have a hissy fit and actually physically throw things around the apartment sometimes even. He later tells me that he was so close to hitting me. Does this mean he will eventually become abusive? If he really loves me, doesn't that mean he should NEVER want to hurt me? I'm confused as to whether I should stay in this relationship based on how we fight. He's a very hard person to talk to about issues like this because I think he has anger issues because of his past. Do you have any advice on how I can talk to him about his anger? Thanks! I could really use the help!

My husband has an anger issue to. He does a lot of the same things. What you need to learn to do is when you can see that he is mad just shut up. Let him alone for awhile. Even if he says something he doesn't mean and it hurts just let it slide. He needs to come down. When you keep nagging him it's like putting gasoline on a fire to try to get it to stop. I don't think he is going to hit you. I can say from being hit from guys Not my husband) that they just do it. Back to the anger though if the argument isn't a big deal why make it one? It will take time to break your habit but you need to try.Hope this helps.