Did the Christian God evolve (all encouraged to answer)?

Question

Many Christian posts on here point to an "angry" or "jealous" God of the "Old Testament" (terms together obviously implying inferiority of Jewish belief). But in the "New", somehow the deal is different. Think about this for a moment. If you legitimize the idea that this is because the people in that time were worse and therefore deserved worse treatment, doesn’t that mean that current events are not the worst of times? If you dismiss this reasoning and say these are indeed the worst times, but we are treated better because Jesus died for our sins, why is any modern "sin" a problem for a Christian - even blasphemy?

Answer 1

Here's is what I have determined after much thought and research...

The god of the Hebrew scriptures had many human qualities like you mentioned. He even admits to being a "jealous god", which I find odd since he is supposed to be the epitome of all things good and if he is perfect why would he be jealous? Isn't that one of the seven deadly sins? Anyway he was a very demanding god and the point I'm trying to make is he demanded worship, sacrifice, even told people how to do it.

I think when Jesus came along he was a pretty enlightened guy who figured out that these weren't things a real god would do, at least not a perfect one. Perhaps the false god that others worshipped would have those qualities, but not one who is the epitomy of love, he would find a better way. I think he started telling others his viewpoint, that a real god didn't need a building to be worshipped in, that he doesn't need animal sacrifices, that he loves his earthly children, that he wants peace instead of going in and committing genocide like they did to those who occupied the land promised to them, that no one nationality is chosen above another, that you need to love on another. Now these weren't new teachings, thses ideals had been around for centuries, but they were radical in this place at this time.

I think after Jesus died his followers told his stories and as they were written they became gospel instead of just the account of an enlightened mans life and he became the son of god instead of just a guy who figured out what any person who uses common sense would. He became what we would call a legend today, but in past times these types of people became gods.

After a while his simple beliefs became more and more entwined with rules and regulations as his followers organized, because that's what happens when groups start to grow and that's what his followers were used to doing since most were former jews used to following a law code of over 600 laws.

Once politicians got a hold of his teachings around the beginning of the 4th century it got really bogged down and if you know anything about any political system you can understand why. Then god once again became someone who could only be contacted through an intermediary, and someone who expected praise and for some reason a percentage of the peoples money and possesions.

So I think that god evolved for a while then de-evolved.

Answer 2

No god is unchanging he will and always will be the same. How ever the rules changed once Jesus came, he took the law away, and made it a life style, a way of life. How ever most modern Cristians are still not following his example,He walked a totally Godly life, Jesus gave us choices, he took away the law, and that is what most christians cling too. Jesus set a godly example but what we fail to do is even try to walk in the steps that the 12 apostles set for us. We are all guilty of embrassing sin. What is truely needed of all Christians in my modest and humble opinion is a deeper understanding of how his apostles lived. GOD is LOVE. Anger and jealousy is his cup that he has instore for us to drink when he chooses to pour it out.
As far as which generation is worse in my heart i know the time of enoch, the time just before the great flood, why? because humans lived incredably long lives we where almost to say imortal. Some spanning 1000 years, how difficult it would have been to follow such a narrow path when your life span was so long. the only difference is technology and how easy it has made us to kill one another, on the other hand it has given us a greater means to also ask for forgiveness, preach, and teach his word. We learn more through the journey than we do in just reaching the final destination. And Blasphemy well the Holy Spirit was poured out for us in Jesus's death the only sin inwhich we can not ask a pardon for. Is sinning against the Holy Spirit. That is just my take i am of no authoritative figure on this topic, i have just seeked answers for these questions myself and this is what my discovery as of this date. Bear in mind it is a very basic and objective oppion. with many generalizations,

Answer 3

The writers evolved. The Old Test was written by people who were normally nomads wandering around the cities of that time. When they became part of those societies, their writings evolved to suit that society. It's the same with all ancient writings, you can see where the people who were once outside of society, joined society and became part of "everyday life"... just how much their writings change because of it.
Early Christianity was a part of Greek Society... Greek scholars show how those during that time wrote the same things that are shown in the New Test.... right up to how wrong it is to steal, lie, murder, etc... in the light of Greek/Roman Society.

I'm surprised though, that Christianity really isn't evolving, instead it is changing just enough to look like it's keeping up with society, but deep down they know it isn't.

Answer 4

Nice posting!

When a previous responder wrote: "No G-d does not evolve just our preceptions of Him." This is the core answer to your issue!

But you are hinting at other, perhaps broader issues. . .to address briefly here:

*The Hebrew (Old) Testament and its formulation of laws and regulations from Jehovah is a magnificent work for (or by) humanity. Check out Rabbi Telushkin's book "Biblical Literacy". . .a nice and easy reading summary of all 613 Torah Commandments may be found at the back of the book. Humanity has not changed materially in 5,000+ years. And the point of many of these laws is to insure that the punishment was NOT greater than the crime. (Consider that, to this day, certain crimes commited in Pakistan. . .carry a death penalty. . .and the so-called privilege that a relative of the injured party may carry out a self-directed torture and ultimate execution. . .so as to feed and satisfy a need for revenge. .. which is quite a different issue from justice.)

*"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge" - Proverbs 1:7. The Bible is chock full of rich and emotional imagery. . .designed to appeal to the heart and mind of the individual. . .in a family relationship. . .and how do "dad" or "mom" get a child's attention if they will not be obedient themselves? Correction through shocking. . .or punishing which appears to be harmful. . .but does not have to be. (Psalms 118:18: The Lord hath chastened and corrected me: but he hath not given me over unto death.) To believe the "fire and brimstone" literally (although you, of course, can) is to miss the point that the language was intending to create. . .that there is a natural intimacy between G-d and his human creation. . .like a parent to his/her children.

*The Christian (New) Testament is ultimately not so different. . .it was a certain misplaced zeal of the early Church Fathers. . .and others past to present. . .to introduce or imply the notion for the testaments that "Old" meant "bad" or "wrong" and "New" meant "good" or "right". Rabbi Jesus himself said that he came not to destroy (the Law) but to fulfill. . .with Love being that fulfillment.

*The concern Jesus had was that Law and Love were the essence of G-d. . .and that humanity should readily and naturally receive and respond to both, like in breathing. . .inhale (receiving) and exhale (giving). The Love taught by Jewish leadership of his time was felt to be love for Law. . .as if to encourage the development of self righteousness. . .versus love for the sake of Love itself. . .and not simply as an outcome or response to Law.

*There is nothing ancient or modern about "sin"--literally "missing the mark". . .and these are not the worst times at the start of the 21st Century. (What Jesus was prophesying about in the gospels was what came to pass in 70 CE. . .the literal destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.)

Answer 5

Yes, the God of Abraham has definitely evolved and changed over the years ... not completely though. Since the followers have become increasingly divergent, he has taken on numerous different forms around the globe.

Christianity sought to gain dominance and growth through spreading of their faith amongst the pagans of Europe, adopting a "kinder, gentler" diety ... one who did not toy with the emotions of his followers (as Norse/Greek/Roman Gods often did).

Had they kept with the traditional "fire and brimstone" diety of the Old Testament, they'd likely not have achieved as much success ... but they also owe a great deal of credit to the Roman Empire and its methods of instilling obedience at sword-point.

Answer 6

Finally a good question on the subject.
Though I object to some of the statements I actually think this is a very valid question. The main one not the mediocre stuff you wrote after that.

Answer 7

No he will never change he was is and will be the same, for ever,would you not hate for your God to say one thing and then change it? I cannot call myself a sinner, if I do I deny the cross, all I know is he is working in your heart to find truth, but you will never find it if you don't ask. You are in the right road if you are sincere, if not ..................... he sitll loves you

Answer 8

No God does not evolve just our perceptions of Him.