Christians, how do you explain the sudden conversion of the OT vengeful, murderous, vendictive, nasty god to the more friendly, forgiving god of the NT ?
Whatever about this conversion, the christian god is guilty of some pretty horrible crimes against humanity in the OT.
How can such a "god" be considered a positive influence.
2006-08-16 01:51:59 · 27 answers · asked by Cindy 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
The Old Testament was before Jesus came to earth in human form. In the OT, you will find that when people atoned for their sins there was a sacrifice given up - some blood was shed. Just like Abraham was going to sacrifice his son (but God stopped him) - and the angel told Abraham there was a sheep caught in the bush that he could kill for the sacrifice.
Jesus came to earth and was sacrificed once and for all for all of our sins - we don't have to put up a sacrifice each and every time we sin. We go straight to the Father and ask for forgiveness - all because Jesus shed his blood on the cross for us.
This is the main difference in the OT and the NT.
2006-08-16 02:29:30 · answer #1 · answered by Topez 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
That is because the OT and the NT God are not the same. The OT god was a character from old stories that were passed down for thousands of years that originated in polytheistic religions. When Jesus came he wanted people to turn away from the old ways and the old god and worship the true way with love for each other and for the TRUE God.
2006-08-16 09:21:28 · answer #2 · answered by cj 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I really don't have an answer for that.
Sometimes it intrigue me, and that is why Jews didn't accept Christ at all...
They were expecting a fighting Messiah, but they found a Loving and caring person instead.
Although in the OT, he is the God of Armies, he although say, I am a mercifully God, and forgive you sins, like a father I get angry with you, but then I calm down and forgive you again and again....
I think, that is a good influence because you can be always a sympathetic good doer all the time...sometimes you need to show your strenght, and you mean things for real....
You know what, If I was God, I would have lost my hope with humans long ago...
And he still have hope in us, and forgave us always...
Have a nice day!
2006-08-16 09:02:01 · answer #3 · answered by Demosth E 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The God of the OT and the God of the NT are the same. The Lord Jesus Christ created all things. Ephesians 3: 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: The only thing that happen in the NT that is different the Lord Jesus Christ had to come to earth to die for our sins as a man but He rose again the third day for our justification. Philippians 2: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: Philippians 2: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: Philippians 2: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
2006-08-16 09:00:41 · answer #4 · answered by Ray W 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
In the old testament, there were only a few reported times that God's word came to earth. In the garden of eden, and to the burning bush with Moses. That world was washed away by the flood due to the evil therein, and God's word walked the Earth as Jesus in Human form in the new testament. During the 33 years that God's word was alive in the human body of Jesus, there is no recorded history of God speaking? God's Word was among us in the new testament. God was here. You'll also note that after the prophecy was fulfilled, His countenance had changed, because He actually got to really know and become a part of His own creation. This is why we say we are under God's grace now, and God's Holy Spirit is alive for those of us that choose to except It into our hearts.
2006-08-16 09:05:50 · answer #5 · answered by classyjazzcreations 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
The God of the old testament was not all vengeful, murderous, or any of the other accusations you made. Gods people were.
When you read the testament you find Gods words in the law, then again in the Psalms and proverbs and the later prophets.
The acts of the Kings were the acts of the Kings who if you read it, most were not approved of by God . They in fact are real good examples of how not to act.
Most of God's words if you read them have a spirit of L.O.V.E. in them. He seems to get upset at his people when they stray from worshiping him, or start to oppress those that he has allow them to oversee. He put in all kinds of laws on how a slave (hired laborer) should be treated.
No the God of the OT and the NT are easy to Identify as the same. The traditions of the Jewish people painted him as harsh.
2006-08-16 09:15:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
The same God is God in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. He has always been loving and forgiving - read the book of Jonah, for example. Jonah was angry with God to the point of suicide, because he didn't want God to give the people of Ninevah the opportunity to be forgiven.
Crimes against humanity? No, punishment for crimes against God. Those things are recorded as a warning (Romans 15:4); the same end waits for us, if we do not obey Him.
2006-08-16 09:18:21 · answer #7 · answered by flyersbiblepreacher 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
God is the same yesterday, today and forever
God never punished anybody who was Innocent. The laws God brought out in the OT about putting people to death for breaking certain laws (eg murder) is exactly what God plans to do anyway. The reason Jesus didn't kill anybody is because he was trying to show God's true character of love, because God is love.
Take the book of Jonah for example, God said that he would punish this people, but the people repented, therefore God did not punish them.
If you could bring me a text from the OT where God had been unjust, I would love to discuss it with you.
2006-08-16 08:59:27 · answer #8 · answered by Sky_blue 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Have you read the book of Psalms??? I don't see a difference. Any true student of the Bible knows that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We currently live in the period of grace. This means that God will save/redeem anyone who calls to Him for salvation. Today is the day of salvation! Tomorrow will be the day of judgment. We know that one day we will all be judged and every knee shall bow and every tongue confess tht Jesus Christ is Lord. Only those whom He has saved will escape judgment.
http://www.chick.com/information/general/salvation.asp
2006-08-16 09:07:33 · answer #9 · answered by frankyglitz 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
God has never changed. He is always the same and consistant. You views of God are only your views. You are not a Christian so you have no idea of what God is or who He is because you choose not to know Him. You you speak of someone you do not know, which is the same thing as lying about them. He is greater than you.
Exodus 23:1 Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness.
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation.
2006-08-16 08:59:17 · answer #10 · answered by Carol M 5 · 3⤊ 3⤋