Old vs New Testament?

Question

Please explain why the god of the old testament (an angry, vengeful god, worthy of scorn not worship) - is so different from the god talked about in the new testament.

Answer 1

Multiple personality problems.......

Answer 2

God, being all that am and omnipresent, is whatever you want, need, hope, fear, think, see It to be. People in the Old days weren't quite up to seeing God in the way the folks in the New days could (barring a few exceptions - prophets, sages, et al.), but that didn't change God, only how the folks saw. They that might read Cabala or Koran might see Something different.

Perhaps in the future, people will be more perspicacious, sagacious, and kind; maybe they will see space travel, stem cells, and birth control as works of God rather than an affront thereto. But then how would we know such things without killing each other.

Answer 3

It's difficult to answer a question like this in a few sentences because there is too much to cover - the bible is a large book. If a person reads the entire bible with a view to "what can I learn about God from this?" you will see consistency in God's personality.
For example: the books Genesis through Malachi teach some fine lessons on respect for others, showing mercy, caring for needy ones and keeping worship of God clean. Remember that Jesus said the whole law and the prophets could be summed up in two commands, 1) Love God with your whole heart, soul and strength and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself.

Another example: The Genesis account shows God created man in His image - that is He gave us similar mental capacity including free will. When God's people broke His laws and left Him to worship other gods of the surrounding nations the bible says they made God feel hurt or "pained" Him. Therefore, God cares deeply about people and lovingly gave us free will to choose to draw close to Him. It makes Him sad when we don't.

The bible has records of God's acts of vengeance as well. In every case, you can see reason why God punished ones. Therefore, these accounts teach that God is consistent in His justice. But remember too, that it is the same "Old Testament" God of the book of Genesis that created humans for no other reason than that He wanted to share the gift of life with others.

Answer 4

Its the same God. Clear through. He never changes, the circumstances change.

Before there was no redemption, no reconciliation between God and man, only temporary covering of sins that stayed the hand of judgment.

After, Because the price of all sin was paid once and for all, there was reconciliation for the first time in history between God and man, where God could function in the lives of men without the sin that hinders him.

The price of sin is death, its a property of God, just like we have properties on earth that cannot be changed.

In the old testament the blessings and good things of God were often unable to reach the people because of their inability to cleanse themselves of their sins.

Look at the garden of Eden, that's how God wants things. He walked with Adam and eve, spent time in each others company. Blessed them with a perfect life of happiness, where they were to subdue the land, and be fruitful and multiply.

What could be more fun than having sex all day, and roaming around paradise? That was Gods idea, not mans. He still wants a blessed enjoyable life for us, and he was able to get it to us through Christ.

Answer 5

The God in the OT is the same God in the NT. In the OT, if you will read the testimonies of the people who experienced His power ,anger, and forgiveness, you will see that He is not always angry.

Psalms 25:8-9 “Because the Lord is righteous and good; He teaches sinners the path they should follow. He leads the humble in the right way and teaches them His will.”

Psalm 130:4 "There is forgiveness in You that You may be feared."

Psalm 32:5 " Isaid, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and You forgave the iniquity of my sin."

There are many others. Read the OT as a whole and you might understand...

Among His promises this one stands out for me:

Isaiah 46:3,4..."I have cared for you, even in your mother's womb. I am your God and will take care of you until you are old and your hair is gray. I made and I will care for you; I will give you help and rescue you."

Does that merit your scorn? He is angerd because of the hard headedness of the people He loves, after all the miracles and kindness He has shown, still people cling to their unbelief in Him.

**"God is highly dangerous. We are sinful and He is holy. Sin can no more exist in the presence of God than darkness in the presence of light. To stand before Him in self-righteousness would be to invite our destruction. If God could not forgive us, we could only flee from Him in terror. Yet the God whose holiness threatens us is the God who through Jesus Christ redeems us. This dangerous God offers forgiveness for all our sins. We only need ask Him. Are you forgiven?"

He made the way for us to reach Him, my friend. That does not look vengeful to me...I pray, don't let your heart be hardened.

Answer 6

The G-d of the Old Testament is not an angry, vengeful G-d. He is totally worthy of worship & adoration. He constantly made provision for "the sojourner among you". He often showed mercy to outsiders...by healing their sick, or feeding the enemy, as in the case with Elisha. He made provision for His people in the Wilderness. He offered His marriage covenant to His people at Mt. Sinai. He is a merciful, loving & gracious G-d. Read the book of Song of Songs.

Answer 7

Pick and choose and quote the Bible like the devil.

God is a God of judgement always. God is also a God of love. These are universal characteristics of God that does not change with time or testament.

Answer 8

Same God.
In the Old Testament man was bound by God's law, in the New Testament Jesus came to bridge the gap between man & God.

The Old Testament point to Jesus, read the last book of the Old Testament, I dare you.

Answer 9

Actually the god in the New Testament is far worse. If you are to believe he is the same as in th Old.

Basically he gave us set of laws that he knows we cannot keep but tells us we can and punishes us severely for not keeping them for 1300+ years before he goes ha ha I knew you could never keep them.

It is sadistic. Like a very cruel practical joke.

Answer 10

It is the same God. The old testament was prophesying the future the new testament is showing the fulfillment of the prophesies and also warning of the end of time.

Answer 11

They didn't have the gift of Jesus to die for their sins, so they were punished a bit more severely for breaking the laws. That's why the old Testament isn't as relevant to us as the new.