Is God a moral monster, in the Old Testament?
Some say that the God of the Old Testament differs from the “one” we read about in the New Testament. Some critics argue that the portrayal of God in the Old Testament is inconsistent with the loving and just God presented in the New Testament. They point to instances of violence, wrath, and seemingly harsh moral judgments, raising the question: Is God a moral monster? In this blog post, we will explore this question seeking to understand the nature of God in the Old Testament and how it fits within the broader narrative of the Bible.
It’s essential to understand the broad context of the Bible. Remember, the Bible is one progressive story that starts in the Old Testament and expands in the New Testament.
It’s crucial to recognize that the Old Testament spans thousands of years and contains a wide range of literary genres, including historical accounts, law codes, prophecies, poetry, and more. Many events are described within the context of the ancient Near East, where societal norms, practices, and worldviews were vastly different from our own. These differences are essential to understanding the Old Testament’s depiction of God.
It is also essential to bear in mind the nature and attributes of God. We have to remember all of His attributes are contained, so to speak, in the nature of God. God is good and just. Perfect and unchanging. Holy and righteous. Sovereign and creator. These attributes give God the authority to do what He pleases because He is in control. As believers, we have nothing to fear because God is good, gracious, and merciful.
I believe the main attribute that should be at the forefront of our minds when it comes to this question, “Is God a moral monster?” Plus, keeping the other attributes in mind, too, is the Holiness of God. Holiness represents God’s purity, perfection, and separateness from sinful humanity. When God punishes or commands specific actions, it is often in response to actions that compromise His holiness or violate His moral standards.
We can think of certain passages such as,
Sodom and Gomorrah: God’s judgment on these cities was due to their extreme wickedness and moral degradation. Abraham interceded for the cities, demonstrating God’s willingness to spare the righteous. This event serves as a reminder of God’s justice. (Genesis 19:24-25)
The Canaanites: The conquest of Canaan must be understood in the context of God’s command to purify the land from idolatry and immorality. God gave the Canaanites ample time to turn from their sinful practices, but they did not. (Genesis 15:16, Deut. 9:5, Deut. 25:17-18)
Job’s Suffering: The book of Job addresses the problem of human suffering. It highlights the mystery of God’s sovereignty and the need for trust and faith, even in adversity.
We see God punishing evil in the world. God allows it for a certain time, giving those who do evil time to repent and turn away from their evil, but there comes a point when God puts a stop to the evil.
God is holy and justice, but He is also merciful. 2 Peter 3:8-10 reminds us of His mercy,
“But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.” (NLT)
So, this week, let’s reflect on the mercy and goodness of God. We don’t deserve it, but God gives it to us.
“When Jesus died on the cross the mercy of God did not become any greater. It could not become any greater, for it was already infinite. We get the odd notion that God is showing mercy because Jesus died. No–Jesus died because God is showing mercy. It was the mercy of God that gave us Calvary, not Calvary that gave us mercy. If God had not been merciful there would have been no incarnation, no babe in the manger, no man on a cross and no open tomb.”
Aiden Wilson Tozer (A.W. Tozer)
