Old and New Testament message

[EBC]

Why does Old Testament seems “cruel” (eg: passages in Leviticus about killing ones who break God’s law) whereas New Testament’s main message is LOVE.
Both Old and New Testament is inspired by Lord, so why do those seem different?

 

[cazayoux]

Why does Old Testament seems “cruel” (eg: passages in Leviticus about killing ones who break God’s law) whereas New Testament’s main message is LOVE.
Both Old and New Testament is inspired by Lord, so why do those seem different?

We shouldn’t see Jesus as just a hippie that hugged everyone and tried to get along with everyone. He got angry. He was RADICAL. He was shaking things up, big time.

… and I think it would be wrong not to see the absolute love that God shows his people in the old testament. What I see from reading the old testament is that as many times as the people of God turn away from Him … AS SOON as they turn back to him, he is THERE. …just like a father with open arms waiting for his child to turn back to him. we see this over and over again in the old testament.

in the new testament we get very clear and dire warnings as well. (1 Cor 11:28 and on)

God has not changed from the old to the new testament.

Maybe we see that his interaction with us has matured, though.

michel

 

[kepha1]

Yes, God kills people, either directly or indirectly. He is the Author of Life and when it is your turn to die, it will be up to Him whether it be directly or indirectly. His love and mercy is as awesome as his power. He is big, like a volcano. Befriend him, and He makes you his son or daughter. Dis Him, and you’re toast.

 

[Joe_5859]

Why does Old Testament seems “cruel” (eg: passages in Leviticus about killing ones who break God’s law) whereas New Testament’s main message is LOVE.
Both Old and New Testament is inspired by Lord, so why do those seem different?

I believe this is a popular caricature that is not completely accurate. There are very tender passages in the Old Testament, and some “angrier” ones in the New Testament.

That being said, part of what I think you are observing is called the “divine pedagogy”. What this means is that God reveals himself gradually in history, and this revelation culminates in Jesus (CCC 53).

Thus, when the Old Testament speaks of the “wrath of God”, it is really speaking of God’s love using language that the people of Israel could understand at the time. This is what Pope Benedict XVI says:

“The wrath of God is a way of saying that I have been living in a way that is contrary to the love that is God. Anyone who begins to live and grow away from God, who lives away from what is good, is turning his life toward wrath.”

In other words, the wrath of God is the love of God as experienced by those who refuse to accept it.

The laws prescribing death or the instances where God requires the extermination of a group are a way to teach Israel (and even us today) how critically important it is to stay faithful to God and turn away from sin.

 

[Nita]

The so-called cruel parts have a very limited application. For eg., in conquering others, it was only the occupants of the “promised land” (who did not flee) that they were to eliminate.

As I read the first five books of Scripture for the first time, I recall being surprised at the goodness of the laws God decreed in the OT. For eg.:

*Deut 24:19-22 When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it; it shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow; … When you beat your olive trees, … When you gather the grapes…" *
Actually, all of Deuteronomy 24.

Nita

 

[ryanoneil]

Why does Old Testament seems “cruel” (eg: passages in Leviticus about killing ones who break God’s law) whereas New Testament’s main message is LOVE.
Both Old and New Testament is inspired by Lord, so why do those seem different?

Regardless of what part of the Bible you are reading, the “cruel/love” perception depend if God’s people are following His Covenants.

What book of the Bible do you think this is from?

19
"I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first.
20
Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
21
I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry.
22
So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works.
23
I will also put her children to death. . .

Peace,

Ryan

 

[banjo]

What book of the Bible do you think this is from?

19
"I know your works, your love, faith, service, and endurance, and that your last works are greater than the first.
20
Yet I hold this against you, that you tolerate the woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, who teaches and misleads my servants to play the harlot and to eat food sacrificed to idols.
21
I have given her time to repent, but she refuses to repent of her harlotry.
22
So I will cast her on a sickbed and plunge those who commit adultery with her into intense suffering unless they repent of her works.
23
I will also put her children to death. . .

Peace,

Ryan

Revelation

 

[ryanoneil]

Yes! "To the angel of the church in Thyatira, write this: " 'The Son of God, whose eyes are like a fiery flame and whose feet are like polished brass, says this: (Rev 2:18)

Notice Jesus is the one talking. Even though He is love itself, there are consequence for not obey the law of Christ.

Peace,

Ryan