Why does there seem to be such a disparity between the God...?

Question

in the OT and the God in the NT. If you look at the OT God comes off as very wraithful and vengeful e.g. Turning people into pillars of salt and the whole 7 plauges deal. Then in the NT God comes off as all loving and merciful i.e. sending jesus and healing people.

I know that there some things that God does in the OT that seem loving and merciful but the number of things God seems to do seems to be wraithful in the OT

Please dont let this question come off as rude or arrogant, i'm serousily wondering this question . I would ask my pastor but whenever I ask him a question he either says he doesnt know or gives some answer that has absolutly nothing to do with what I asked

Answer 1

It's because bothbooks were written by people, and people reflect their thoughts in their writings.
The editorof the OT thought of god as of vengeful and cruel, where the NT editor thought of him as of a kind and loving god.

Answer 2

This has to do with the history of who was writing the bible and when it was written. I'm no history expert, but in a nutshell, it was like this:

The Hebrew people wrote the OT thousands of years ago and it reflects the barbaric lifestyle people had at that time. Life was a continual struggle for resources, which is why their god is a barbaric war god who constantly demands sacrifices, orders people to be killed, and is held to be responsible for many deaths.

As Jews became assimilated into other cultures, they became increasingly "hellenized" and their religion began to take on a more civilized and humanistic philosophy as a result. The god of the NT reflects the Greek and Roman influence.

Some good books to read are The History of God, Misquoting Jesus, and The Jesus Puzzle. They will give you a broader understanding of the process of how the bible was written and the history of its mythology.

Answer 3

Actually I find complete harmony between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. The problem has never been with God, but with man. All of God's dealings with mankind were to bring him into a position where God could be gracious to him without compromising His justice. This He accomplished on the cross - yet see how many still hate Him. I suppose I've seen Him blaphemed at least 50 times today. The only thing that amazes me is how God could save any of us at all.

Answer 4

An early Christian writer, named Marcion, was of the opinion that the God of the OT and the God of the NT were two entirely different entities.

Answer 5

I can show you incredible acts of mercy in the old testament. Have you even READ Revelations? He's the same God in both testaments.

Old Testament
God forgive Manasseh, the second worst king (next to his father Ahab) to ever rule. Manasseh repented, and God forgave Him.
God forgave David after he repented of his murder of Uriah.
God forgave the entire city of Nineveh when they repented of their evil.
God interceded for Abimilech when he almost sinned with Abraham's wife, Sarah.

New Testament
God struck down Ananias and Sephira for cheating the Holy Spirit.
God killed King Herod and had him eaten by worms.
God sends Egypt-styled plagues in Revelation.

Answer 6

Hello;

The punishments you spoke of. Were the result of disobedience. Lot's wife was told not to look back at the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. End result, a pillar of salt. The plagues were a result of Pharaohs hardened heart. Not letting the Hebrews go.

Jesus came to set us free from the guilt of sin. Sin is a disobedience to the law of God. Results of this disobedience is everywhere! Drugs, pornography, robbery , murder, famine ,diseases, war. On and on.

Jesus took your sin and mine and the punishment associated with it. Was crucified, died and rose again! He stood in our place and faced the ultimate punishment which is death and if you do not repent, eternal damnation.

He did it out of love for us. He asks only that you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, repent, that is change the way you live. Be baptized by immersion, and live the rest of your life doing your very best to obey His teachings. Knowing that we can confess our sins to Him, and be forgiven.

I salute you for having the courage to ask this kind of question. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow may not come! Read the Bible, obey its teachings. Time is running out! The clock is ticking and will soon stop. Keep your eyes on Israel. The end is near.

Answer 7

Well, if you rescued a people from Egypt and then they never thanked you for your great favor, you would probably be mad too. And the same goes for those in Sodom and Gomorrah and the people of Moses. They never accepted him, but Jesus, being the Messiah, convinced the people to follow God.

Answer 8

God doesn't change. But He changes how He deals with us. What He showed in the Old Testament is what we deserve. What He shows in the New Testament is Mercy.

The Day will also come when His Mercy will cease.

Then you will see the Old Testament God again.