What is the reason God seems different between the old and new testament?

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Adrian89

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I have wondered that for a long time and I appreciate the help
 
In the old testament there seems to be more vengeance for sins and less peaceful interaction and in the new testament there seems to be a lot more love and peace
 
He is the same.

Jesus came at a time after the Law from the Jews had spread, and the hearts of the gentiles were softened.
If you have read some accounts of the Native Americans by Europeans when America was first discovered you may come to understand a bit what this may mean

He is slow to anger but sure to Justice.
 
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Catholic Answers Jimmy Akin tackled this recently. If I find it on YouTube, I’ll link it.

But basically he points out that this objection is actually false. People who say this usually say that God of the Old Testament is violent and full of wrath and New Testament is merciful and loving.

People who do not think God in the OT is loving or merciful clearly ARE NOT familiar with the Old Testament, but instead harp on a few incidents in the Old Testament (like Sodom and Gomorrah) and interpret the entire OT through that lens.

The NT also shows a God who will judge all people and nations.
 
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I have read the old testament but still find issue in some places, some things just seem cruel but yes, god does show love and mercy in the old testament, this is true. I just have difficulty reconciling with things that seem extreme but I hope to understand.
 
I think that God reveals Himself to us more and more through His interactions in the Bible. It is kind of like see the Earth from space. We can see only one side of it but as it turns we can see a bit more of it. God was always all just and merciful but in the New Testament we saw more of His merciful “side.”
 
Aside from the theological considerations, keep in mind the massive cultural differences. The Scriptures span about 1400 years across different times and cultures. There’s a vast gully of difference between the early Jewish authors, hundreds of whom wrote the Old Testament, and had their own traditions and myths, (myths meaning not lies but richly spun narratives containing truth) . . . . and Greek authors - most likely schooled in Greek mythology and the classics - of the New Testament. Inevitably, these difference will color their concepts of God. It’s like listening to two vastly different genres of music yet finding value in each one. In fact, it’s quite mind-blowing to consider the connection between the prophesies of Isaiah - again, in a completely different time and culture - and what we read in the Gospels.

This question used to confuse me until I started some coursework in theology and church history. I’d encourage every Catholic to find a way to do the same - ate least through parish-sponsored adult ed programs.
 
The punishments God inflicts in the Old Testament are to teach His people about the evils and consequences of sin. Christ fully reveals the ultimate consequence God has been teaching His people to avoid–eternal damnation and torment.

It’s like if a parent gives her child a smack on the bottom for running into the street without looking both ways. It might seem harsh to the child, but getting hit by a car is worse and this punishment should help the child think twice about doing it in the future.
 
Until you get to Revelation, which eclipses any of the bloodbaths in the Old Testament.
 
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