do you think it is possible that god has let christian theology....?

Question

do you think it is possible that god has purposely let christian theology seem to be at odds with modern humanitarian concerns because he wanted to see if christians would take to heart the "agape" sense of love over any legalistic view of morality, even be it biblical?

The reason i say this is because i have seen a lot of people on the r/s section blanketly dismiss skeptical arguments despite the fact they are indeed valid arguments. Apologists tend to say that the point, whatever it may be, is moot because god is transcendent to any skeptics reasoning. But isn't it possible that god himself created a holy scripture that he was transcendent to in order to see if his followers would care more about piety than sacrificial love?

Answer 1

Certainly it's possible. And if we assume that God is good, it's much more plausible than that God simply doesn't care enough about people to tell everyone the truth directly and immediately. But it's not a remotely likely possibility, for the simple reason that there's no evidence in support of it. In other words, it's unlikely for the same reason that all other beliefs regarding God are, and is ultimately just an interesting thought experiment.

I agree with the point of your thought experiment, however. The thrust of what you're trying to do isn't to speculate about an unknowable deity, but rather to hammer home the point that Christians should value love and goodness over faith and obedience.

Incidentally, Mr. Ed's claim that the Old Testament consistently has a "humanitarian" bent is factually inaccurate. See also: http://creationtheory.org/BiblicalMorality/Ref-Violence.shtml

Answer 2

I agree with agape love, though you're becoming kinda hard to follow. God didn't want there to be different denominations, "birds of the air that nestled in its branches" and all that. We're supposed to show AGAPE at all times yes, but sometimes that does mean rebuking someone who is clearly in the wrong so they can come to the knowledge and undertsnading of God and may eventually develop a relatioship with Him.

and I'm generally not pious, so something's gotta be right!

Answer 3

Any kind of "christian theology" that would go against humaintarian concerns, is at odds with the Bible! All through both the Old and New Testaments, I see a humanitarian message. The Israelites were instructed as to how to treat the poor, even the foreigners.
In the New Testament, Jesus says "inasmuch as you have done unto the least of these, you have done onto me", talking about visiting those in prison, feeding the hungry, clothng the naked, etc.

Answer 4

God does want us Christians to keep love and truth in balance. You pose an interesting point that God put something in our path that brings this to light. However, I do not dismiss sound doctrine because of what you have said. I find, when I defend Biblical faith in YA, that I share not a dismissal of contrary thought, but simply a new perspective that skeptics may not have thought about.

Answer 5

If a person believes in God as a Supreme Being capable of creating a universe down to the minutest detail, an entity both omnipotent and omniscient, then that Supernatural Deity would obviously be able to conceive of whatever obscure or esoteric methods he/she desired to contrive to influence his subjects. Therefore, your proposition of a transcendental god who could nonetheless produce a manifest "holy scripture" is as valid as any other attributes applied to him/her. For the God of "Intelligent Design", nothing would be impossible certainly, and he/she might devise any enigmas to test the faith of his creations. Such a god must be essentially a puppet master, in absolute control of his/her domains, perhaps enjoying toying with his mentally challenged creations ...

Answer 6

You mean should we disregard scripture in order to make skeptics comfortable? I believe there's enough of that going on and all it does is make Christianity less relevant to our world.We are to be different from the "world", "a peculiar people". Now if you mean we should be full of grace, you are right, but after we have presented the Gospel, and it is rejected, we should knock the dust off our feet, and let them go.That is our only responsibility. The Holy Spirit's job is to bring conviction and salvation. Yet we should continue to treat them with respect.

Answer 7

I believe that God stepped back and is watching man corrupt his intent and meaning.