Is God a violent loving hypocrite?

[John_Metzler]

I’ve been in a discussion with some Deists (believe in a Creator but no divine revealation outside of creation). One of their chief objections to the Bible is that God basically looks like a violent hypocrite. The message of Christianity involves love and forgiveness but we find God at times ordering killing of people and at time whole classes of people. I must admit at times this has troubled me as well. I would really appreciate help in further understanding how this can be explained and any reference for further reading would be appreciated.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us

 

[NotWorthy]

Scott Hahn’s “A Father Who Keeps His Promises” will give a very clear presentation on why God did what He did. It’s a very good read.

Basically, God told Israel to avoid several of these tribes. When Israel disobeyed, and inter-married with these tribes (I think the Canaanites are a good example), the tribes would bring in their pagan lifestyles, perverting the Israeli culture and rituals - stuff like idolatry, polygamy, even human sacrifice in some cases.

God then ordered the annihilation of these tribes, rather than lose His first children to other pagan gods.

Notworthy

 

[Agricola]

Yeah, I can understand the confusion of your Deist friends. However, I see justice where your friends see hypocricy. God is not human. He does not abide by our laws, nor is it necessary for Him to.

God’s creation is His to deal with as He wills. If His creatures do something that offends Him, He is well within His rights to end their earthly existence. Anything beyond that is a matter of His mercy.

Any time we attribute to God characteristics that belong properly to created things, we are not getting a complete picture. If God says that it is necessary to destroy a nation that is full of idolatry, fornication, perversion, and morbidity, then it must be. Woe to us!

Thinking about whether it would make sense for an omnipotent being to create a universe, hold it in existence, but take no interest in its operation may be a fruitful path of contemplation for your Deist friends.

God bless,

Agricola

 

[trogiah]

John Metzler:

I’ve been in a discussion with some Deists (believe in a Creator but no divine revealation outside of creation). One of their chief objections to the Bible is that God basically looks like a violent hypocrite. The message of Christianity involves love and forgiveness but we find God at times ordering killing of people and at time whole classes of people. I must admit at times this has troubled me as well. I would really appreciate help in further understanding how this can be explained and any reference for further reading would be appreciated.

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us

Consider the Scripture from Deuteronomy

"Learn then that I, I alone, am God, and there is no god besides me. It is I who bring both death and life, I who inflict wounds and heal them, and from my hand there is no rescue. "As others have pointed out. We make a mistake if somehow we think the Master of the Universe owes us something or will answer to some higher power if we feel like we haven’t been treated fairly. Tomorrow we could all be wiped out by an asteroid or by war or by an epidemic or some other natural disaster. So? If that happens what injustice has God done to us. God is the one who put it all here in the first place.

None of those disasters would negate the fact that right this moment we have the example and teachings of Jesus to help us get to know the Master of the Universe the way an only son knows his Father.

I say, while we are alive, lets make the most of that example and of those teachings.

peace

-Jim

 

[John_Metzler]

Thank you for the replies. I have Scott Hahn’s book but haven’t picked it up in a while, good idea. The discussion I’m in is actually on another online forum.In a separate thread from where I posting someone posed the question of if the God of the Bible revealed himself in some way that was convincing to them (came booming out of the sky, ect), what would they do? Several responded that they would rather join forces with Satan then the God of the Bible. I really don’t know how one would respond to that other then to get on one’s knees and pray.

 

[Agricola]

trogiah:

None of those disasters would negate the fact that right this moment we have the example and teachings of Jesus to help us get to know the Master of the Universe the way an only son knows his Father.

I say, while we are alive, lets make the most of that example and of those teachings.

Amen Jim. A-men!

God bless,

Agricola