Why was God so harsh in the Old Testament but more forgiving in the New?

[cbartel89]

@Geckuno What do you believe in? What you are wanting is either no god, so that you have no purpose or responsibility in life or your own personal pet god that allows you to do whatever you want and then you can call on him when you need something. It doesn't work like that. There are consequences for your actions. You are held responsible for what you do with this life.

[definitiongrace]

@cbartel89 All your statements are very well said. I was reading previous comments trying to figure out how to respond and you did so very well. Just remember to do things out of love and faith so our words and actions will show grace to those who watch and hear. Hope you have a great day!

[Geckuno]

@cbartel89 that is a very ignorant almost insulting statement. So you have your responsibilities and I don't? No. I have responibilities to suffering people, to people whom I care etc. But a (purely) religious person has fear inside. Fear of suffering. I don't see god as my personal pet. I know that he isn't. And it is irrelevant to the topic.

[cbartel89]

@Geckuno His forgiveness is the most magnificent of all. We are all sinners BUT he offers forgiveness through Christ Jesus. Jesus died to DEMONSTRATE for us the love God has for each and every person. All that He asks is that you choose to follow Him.

[cbartel89]

@Geckuno If the God of the Bible is real, then you must take Him at his Word. He cannot be your idea of a god where he will be "nice and forgive people and not be so mean". God is just, perfect, and holy according to His Word. Therefore, all sin must be punished. His wrath is pure. There is a difference between hatred and anger. God is angered by our sin but loving in how he responds. This is an appropriate response to sin by a perfect God.

[cbartel89]

@Geckuno your very words contradict themselves. "If there is a god, he is not just. how can someone deserve to burn in hell for not believing in something..." Get this straight, A JUST GOD WILL PUNISH SINS, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT MAKES HIM JUST. If God allowed sins to go unpunished and did not make right every wrong, then exactly what kind of god would He be? I for sure would not want to worship a god like that.

[cbartel89]

@geckuno Christ died to pay the ransom for our sin. A perfectly righteous God cannot just sweep sin under the rug and "just let it go" or pretend it didn't happen. You may ask why God allowed his Son to die and why that makes God attractive to sinners? The consequence of sin is death. Christ died to demonstrate God's love for us, despite us being sinners. If you have a friend or family member, would you rather force them to spend time with you and force them to love you or would you rather them

[Geckuno]

So god creates humans with free will and tells them to obey him. When they don't, god decides to punish them. But because he is so loving but not that forgiving he punishes his son. Because that's somehow more humane then punishing everyone. (Actually it is yes. But not as good and kind and normal as forgiving) Well comparing this to the Noah's story I see that god seems to be pretty unstable. I mean he punishes one person for not punishing millions while he destroys species in the other one.

[Geckuno]

@cbartel89 and how is god just? If there is a god he is not just. How can someone deserve to burn in hell for not believing in something that they have no proof of for an eternity. What kind of finite bad behaviour deserves an infinite punishment. No that is not just. That is horrible actually.

[lahoucine66]

the question is why christians worship jesus while jesus , muslims & previous nations worshipped YHWH ?

[Geckuno]

So god is actually merciless but gives us a window of mercy as a break. Why wasn't he so merciful at the begining. And why did he sacrificed his own "son" instead of just forgiving the sinners?

[MrUrosSrb]

@Geckuno He had to sacrifice Jesus,because the sin needed covering,needed paying.If God just forgave you not based on Christ he would compromise his righteousness and if he were to do that he wouldnt be Just and Perfectly Righteous.

[Geckuno]

@MrUrosSrb so killing his son after torcher for bad things that other people had done is just? I don't see anything just and righteous in that. He could have as well forgive people. I tought he was all loving and forgiving. "I'll forgive you after I make you murder my son (I mean me), thats the only just way." yeah... come think of it, it is the most humane and just way.

[definitiongrace]

@Geckuno "He could have as well forgive people." Then He wouldn't be perfectly Just for us who broke His commands. It would be like letting murderers and rapists out of prisons for free. And what God did to Christ was perfectly righteous because it was the only way to spare us. The only innocent and pure person to ever live had to take the full wrath of God for our sins. Why? Because God gets glory and honor and praise from it. I leave you respectfully and peacefully. bye.

[Geckuno]

@definitiongrace you also leave me without any logical answer. So according to your logic instead of freeing rapists we could put someone innocent to jail. How is that just? I can't see how that theaches the sinners a lesson. I can't understand how you people cannot see the logical fail in this. Please explain.

[definitiongrace]

@Geckuno The part you forget is that Christ took on our sins and the punishment thereof. "For our sake [God] made [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in [Christ] we might become the righteousness of God. (2Cor 5:21)" It is just because God did it out of love for us! It wasn't supposed to teach sinners a lesson but rather show the love and grace of God! You can't possibly understand because you're (1) not God and (2) a natural person (See Romans 2:14).

[Geckuno]

(1)@definitiongrace How is someone innocent taking the blame for someone else just? Lets say that what you say is real. How is it just? Christ may be a good person. But that's all we can get out of this theory. We certainly cannot come to the conclusion that god is just. If a punishment is in order it should be done to that who deserves it. Or he should be forgiven and taught the true way. Punishing someone irrelevant is not just nor logical. (And punishing his own son is not good either.)

[Geckuno]

@definitiongrace (2) So what you are saying is that god basically killed his own son. And was like, "Look how much I love you... Instead of punishing you like the way I punish my son, (or forgive you) I simply punish my son. What kind of a demonstration of love is that? It's not normal. It's like a teacher gets mad in class then bangs his head to the wall instead of shouting at the student. Because he loves the students. He could not just forgive them. Because the teacher had some anger issues.

[Geckuno]

@definitiongrace (3) please don't tell me that "we cannot understand god, therefore we should just accept it as it is" argument. Then god should have been less "intelligent" in his actions so we "simple" humans could understand. That way we wouldn't have any doubt that it is the truth and no person would have to suffer needlesley for something that they weren't sure of.

[quemich]

Because the Old Testament was wrote by the old english church to control people and make them fear life to make money, and the new testament is just a upgrade to scare the weak minded and make more money. Anybody who believes this crap is either desprate in the mental capacity, and just stupid.

[MrTMarshy]

@quemich

If you're going to accuse people of being stupid, maybe it'd be a good idea to check your spelling and grammar first mate.

[Swipe57]

@quemich If the Old Testament is written by the old English church, then why do we have manuscripts that are thousands of years old (look at the Dead Sea Scrolls). Before insulting someone's belief, make sure you know what you're talking about.

[Justinsteven777]

Great mind, poor answer

[n8guy]

@Justinsteven777 Care to expound?

[Uberlaser]

Surely the answer lies in the Iron age men who wrote it.

Maybe their own judgements and beliefs had changed, as things often do.

Take Slavery as an example - Slavery is rampant throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments, yet times have changed so we now view slavery as immoral.

[gilbert4321]

@Uberlaser The teachings of slavery weren't supporting slaves it was supporting the obedience to authorities.

[Vccine]

And people call chirstians ignorant. Just look all these people here coming here, spreading hate, and insulting one another.

By the way, if God was evil and unforgiving, we wouldn't even be here, we'd all be enjoying hell already

[thinkbefore70]

What a ridiculous theory... Christians always have this silly answer.. Jesus died for our sins..

[nyyght7]

yip, anyone who would treat their children the way described in the old testament should be shot. god is an evil being!

[ndzoko]

Why not admit, there can`t be a loving, caring, gorgiving, just god. The facts on earth totally contradict such a notion. If yor father acted like god, people would hang him on the spot.

[santisevenX]

@ndzoko Why not admit that? Because the logic in your statement is nonexistent. What "facts" on earth contradict that notion?

[ndzoko]

@santisevenX A god, who makes or lets the innocent suffer, cannot be called ,good, loving, forgiving, just.

[santisevenX]

@ndzoko Well let's clear one thing up first: no one is innocent. Romans 3:23. Second, not all suffering is a bad thing in the end, nor is all suffering pain in a moral sense. But the skeptic of God will have hard time understanding the Christian worldview which explains suffering. The philosophical engagement with suffering really doesn't adequately explain it. I have a feeling you have a few preconceived notions about God and suffering.

[ndzoko]

@santisevenX . The christian worldview has no reasonable explanation why the INNOCENT have to suffer. I have the feeling also that you have a few preconceived notions about god and suffering.

[santisevenX]

@ndzoko Yes, the Christian worldview does in fact have a reasonable explanation. Obviously you aren't familiar with but I'll pretend you do. So please tell me where the Christian worldview falls short.

[ndzoko]

@santisevenX I told you ,I never saw a reasonable explanation for the suffering of the innocent. I you have one, I am more then willing to listen.

[santisevenX]

@ndzoko this will be lengthy so I'll message it to you.

[ndzoko]

@santisevenX I can`t understand, why such a simple question, can`t be answered in a couple of sentences or words. It must be real complicated, something like rocket-science, to explain the suffering of the innocent. I bet it is a cascade of rhetoric or theology ( The art of word-smithing ) to cover up the inability to come up with a reasonable answer.

[ndzoko]

@santisevenX no one is innocent>>>>that is theological BULLS... Tell me what children under the age of discernment are guilty off ??

[liellibg]

The old test is the Priestly old fashion fear facter God. The catholic and many others try to fear people toward God. Then if you don't do things to their exptations,they use you as an example,put you out of your missery by killing you. These high priest did just that to Jesus. Only a high priest can present a high caliber sin offering to God and have him accept it. Saying the Romans killed Jesus is like saying they offered him up to God. Nonsence

[emporroll134]

get out of here athiests fuck you stop coming into these videos and fucking it up praise god

[Phresh95]

Why does everyone has to diss each other? Can't we all just share our opinions and not get criticize for it?

[quai30]

Lets not forget slavery and rape....

[Silenus6]

In Hebrews (10:1) we read about the transition from the Law of Moses to the Grace of Jesus Christ; we are told that the law has "a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things". In other words, the law we receive from God is distorted according to our own imperfections, but as our spiritual understanding progresses our laws also become more perfect reflections of the true intentions of God. So, God has not changed, but our ability to perceive Him has.

[Silenus6]

The significance of Christ is that the purity of his inspiration allowed him to reflect the grace of God more perfectly than had ever been done before. Asking God for mercy and forgiveness is like asking the sun for light and heat; these belong to the incorruptible nature of divinity, and though clouds of ignorance may temporarily cast shadows of guilt over the souls of men, the sun does not go dark, nor does the Lord condemn.

[moroney1]

I cant believe in this Christian god.So he is responsible for all the collapsing stars and dieying planets,who so happened to let life happen on only one planet of this volatile solar system, and let life happen some of the time on some of it's surface, to let homo sapiens develop about 100,000yrs ago and to torture them with a sadomasochistic totalitarian, genicidal regime resulting in killing his son just two thousand years ago in an act of filicidal, aspersive maddness. To believe is lunacy

[marshallbx5a]

@moroney1

You can believe in this Christian god. He never says that you get to heaven by knowing about Him, but rather, you'll get there by actually knowing Him personallyand having faith in His sovereign plan. If you view history of god as he killed everyone and sent jesus into the world, but jesus really doesnt matter; then you wont believe because you dont understand. Just as god extended grace to his people of isreal, he so extended grace to the entire world through Jesus. Jesus is the key

[moroney1]

@marshallbx5a For most of humanity people died in birth, had a life expectancy of about 25-30years up until quite recently, went through famine war and general termoil, and then only 2000yrs ago aftr looking on indifferently Heaven decides to make its plans known in one of the most primitive parts of the world by killing his son. Ur god doesnt go to China where they have language&clear advances, no lets go to the desert and perform human sacrafice. You ant believe such nonsense

[retsae1]

@moroney1 It's funny you mention that. If you've read the Bible then you'll know that most of Gods prophets were some of most important, overlooked people of their time, or, like Paul, they were completely against Christianity.

[dnallred]

Weak answer dude. Talking like you are sincere doesn't make what you say true. Complete nonsense.

[FarmboyRecords]

i love this man.... so much humility and wisdom....this man is an image of a mature Christian.

[Darwinsman]

Easy question. Because all the stories in the bible were made up by different people with different cultural backgrounds, understanding of the world and political agendas.

[chrisfromjerzy]

WOW. great answer!

[4um360]

Jesus with open arms? He calls the church his bride. Can you imagine a man courting a woman, offering her the best, but warning her that if she does not accept him, he'll send her to hell? Is that an example to follow?

[Killer0fTheSun]

@4um360

Whole heartedly agree...in fact it makes the individual sociopathic.

[PrinceFelipe]

God allows just as many bad things to happen now as He did before Jesus came.

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe You actually believe there is a god that decides to intervene here and there? Based on what? The power of someone's prayer over another? Don't you get into a really weird place when you start thinking god plays favorites?

[PrinceFelipe]

@rovingdesertfox God owns the world, He can do as He chooses.

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe That's a well thought out answer; thanks so much. He may just decide to smack you down into hell because he doesn't like the way you look or talk or respond to thoughtful questions. If I were you I'd get on my knees right now and beg for mercy;  because with your god, you'll always need more. PS:: Any god who would condemn people to eternal damnation is not a god at all, but evidence of man's uncrafty handwork in trying to control others.

[PrinceFelipe]

@rovingdesertfox Your master "satan" is the one that wants people to go to hell.

Jesus on the other hand gives the free choice if a person wants to be with Him or go to burn in hell with the devil.

You choose the one that wants to watch you suffer for eternity, because you are evil and love sin. You with your freewill have chosen hell and I will not feel sorry for you making the wrong choice..

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe And you call yourself a christian with that mind? You get leaned on a little and look what comes out. This has always been my observation, notably that people claiming to be christian and washed in the blood and all that horse shit, aren't any different than anyone else, and in many cases worse, as you've just proven. Brilliant point about people chosing where they want to spend eternity. An insane notion, but I'm sure you've lost touch with reality a long time ago.

[PrinceFelipe]

@rovingdesertfox Yes I will not feel guilty over you choosing hell. If you want to be a fool that is your choice. If you want to serve the devil, you have made your choice.

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe You missed my point completely. And of course, Hell is ALWAYS for the other guy. Christian dogma sets up hell and heaven. No proof of it whatsoever. Just like there's no proof in your god. All you have to do is provide a shred of evidence and we'd all follow like little sheepies. Do you have any? No fair using personal emotions, feelings, (I feel him in my heart), right devotees of all other religions say. Good luck.

[PrinceFelipe]

@rovingdesertfox The reason why the heart is not good enough for you, is because you have a vile wicked heart. Even if Jesus apeared before you with a wicked tongue like your's you would shout for Christ's death just like the Judaists did. Nomadder what God does for you it is not good enough for you to follow His Law. You would tell Christ to Fuck off even if He apeared right before you.

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe The first lesson in debate is not to put words into the mouth of your opponent. You have no idea about my heart. A wicked heart, right. I have learned that the ch religion is empty and hollow, without substance as it is being taught today. People take the bible literally and miss the deeper meaning. You see, in our last exchange I simply asked you for some evidence and look how you reacted. It is you who have been found out here. You cannot provide any evidence.

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe The heart is not good enough for anyone, because if you want to "save" masses of people all are not the same. You mean to tell me that god is going to eternally damn all those that cannot see things in his/your narrow corridor? I don't think so mr. tell everyone that doesn't agree with you to go hell. You can have an imaginary god that allows you to condemn everyone to death in his name, but that doesn't make the scenario real in any way at all. So, instead of name calling....

[PrinceFelipe]

@rovingdesertfox It is not good enoguh for the wicked. You want sin, you wnat to be free to sin. All you care about is yourself and doing what you feel like. Anything is good in your own eyes as long as it makes you happy. You are selfish lazy and evil. You like the suffering in this world because you can blaim it on God to make yourself feel better. You think you are better then God when you don't lift a finger to help others because you are a fool.

[rovingdesertfox]

@PrinceFelipe I will take that as "I cannot provide you with any evidence of my god, and since I am so fucking pissed off about that, you by the way, are a real bastard and probably satan himself, so get fucked and go to hell". Does that pretty much cover it, you who thinks he has a connection with god, but can only throw flaming insults at everyone else. You don't know me and I can now guarantee that you ever will. Have a nice frustrating like with your god that is laughing at you.

[PrinceFelipe]

@rovingdesertfox . Since all you want to do is mock Jesus all your going to hear is lip back from me. Eye for eye tooth for tooht whcih emans insult for insult. You can dish it out but you can not take it Mr crybaby heathen.

[rovingdesertfox]

@rovingdesertfox why don't you try to come up with some evidence that the bible is actually the word of god and next, that the god in your head is the true god. Try to work with ideas instead of insults if you can.

Now go wash out your mouth with soap and try to live up to your name of prince. good luck.

[taoheedt]

I love it....

[T2Todd2]

Indeed YAHUSHUA and YAHUVEH are love, but please don't keep trying the patience and mercy, and love of YOUR creator, REPENT of YOUR sins and seek HIM. Obey HIM, love HIM first, seek holiness and purity. You have the Holy Spirit when you accept YAHUSHUA (Jesus). You have no more excuse to live in sin, because you have the Holy Spirit who convicts you when you sin. Live for YAHUSHUA. Godly fear is depart from evil (proverbs 3:7)

[T2Todd2]

And Don't think YAHUSHUA (Jesus) is only love. Please don't forget HE cursed that fig tree that refused to bear good fruit and it withered and died for all to see. Please don't forget HE tore up the temple because they defiled HIS Father's house. Please don't forget that men and women will one day beg for rocks to fall on them and hide them from the wrath of the LAMB, Rev 6:16. And YAHUSHUA will come with fire in HIS eyes to destroy all evil doers and execute the Father's wrath. Rev 19:10-15.

[T2Todd2]

RESERVED FOR FIRE (2 Peter 3). The bible says that in the final days when YAHUVEH lets loose HIS wrath on the world, it will be like no other time since the world was created and never will be again. It also says, it wasn't for the sake of the elect NO ONE should left alive! So I guarantee you YAHUVEH, YAHUSHUA have not changed, THEY are Almighty in love and Almighty in War and wrath do those who continue to refuse HIS gift of life. Don't test HIS patience, don't test YOUR creator. Repent.

[T2Todd2]

The only reason YAHUVEH has not yet wiped the world clean of sin, void it of evil and evil doers is because HIS Son, YAHUSHUA, who is our Savior, is able to intercede and appease HIS wrath. HIS blood allows us undeserved mercy, undeserved grace, but we must accept YAHUSHUA and REPENT of our sins. For those who do not repent, the scriptures says in revelations that world of old was destroyed with water but now is RESERVED FOR FIRE.

[T2Todd2]

Listen people YAHUVEH (YAHWEH) and YAHUSHUA (Jesus) HAVE NOT CHANGED! The same GOD of the old testament is the same GOD today. YAHUSHUA is FOREVER the same (hebrews 13:8) and YAHUVEH is FOREVER the same (Malachi 3:6). YAHUVEH and YAHUSHUA are of perfect BALANCE. Both Almighty in love and Almighty in wrath. They have not changed. Man has changed their idea of who GOD is and so they believe GOD has changed.

[fruitofspirit]

Praise God! I am so thankful for Dr. Piper.

[desasterz]

Oh Jesus was harsh on the Pharissees. And he was good to Cain!

[thescorpionking2020]

coz he was created by man,and he does not exist dats y

[sitemountain]

What sort of explanation is THAT? This guy makes politicians seem down right HONEST!

The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully. (Richard Dawkins 'The God Delusion')

[kick08ful]

Your statement should have been..."why am I facinated by delusional human nature and followers of strange cult leaders in the 21st century or how a modern person could believe that their god belief is the only correct belief and the rest of the world is incorrect and going to burn in hell for all eternity.

[kick08ful]

You can easily see that this poor guy fits the profile of the born holy roller with a brain that's bound to ignorance and superstition. He should get someone qualified to read the bible to him...bless his pittiful lil heart.

[ernestas111]

@kick08ful And why do you even bother to watch that kind of videos is beyond me.

[kemalcs]

Read Bible part on Umberto Eco's Misreadings

[ogkiller88]

try to read the Quran you ignorant people. Damn many people have no knowledge of god's true religion :S

[UrukEngineer]

"Why was God so harsh in the Old Testament but more forgiving in the New?"

Oh! Oh! I know the answer to this one....

...it is a trick question.  There is no god.

[seg162]

@UrukEngineer ...

Then why did you watch this video? Why do you have a need to bash on someone's else's religion, yet take offense when they bash on yours?

[UrukEngineer]

@seg162 "Why do you have a need to bash on someone's else's religion, yet take offense when they bash on yours?"

Religion, particularly this brand of "fundie" christianity is a blight on humanity. It makes people feel wretched, it treats gays, women and non-followers as 2nd class humans. The question is why DON'T YOU "bash" it?

I don't have a religion so your second phrase is incorrect.

[seg162]

@UrukEngineer Well, what about those that aren't fundamentalists? Do they deserve to have their religion bashed, despite the fact that they have not made people feel wretched, nor have they treated anyone as second-class humans? I ask that you don't lump regular Christians that do what they feel is right in their belief and lifestyle with fundamentalists who are scum because they don't even believe in what they preach and use their belief as a shitty veneer for their violent and sadistic ways.

[janhanjanhan]

writers of the bible needed a twist in the plot because the ratings were low

[A1Cvenom]

I can't stand listening to regurgitated vague answers to a simple question, that he obviously can't answer.

[nthomas87]

If you really believe this stuff, there is a name for it: schizophrenia.

[seg162]

@nthomas87 Schizophrenia, eh?

Schizophrenia is impulsive, and you have SEVERAL SEVERAL voices in your head at one time. Schizophrenia can have you writing random things on surfaces. Schizophrenia is a MENTAL disorder. Exactly what the hell are you talking about when you compare this to schizophrenia?

[zwwhaley]

I'm sure John means well but this is not God's character.

Jesus told the Jews of his time, "I know what your bible (law) says, an eye for an eye, etc., but I say love your enemies..."

The people of the Old Testament had a distorted picture of God and everything they heard or did came out of that. God never murdered babies. He never ordered genocide.

God never changes.

I'm sorry so many people believe God is a brutal hypocrite because of understandings like this. I hope John and us all ha

[joshpeace23]

Holy fuck this guy acte like kermit the frog

[asteroydus]

What happened around the time between the New Testament and the Old Testament? He got laid !

[macmacr1]

So what about all the innocent babies that God had killed with the edge of the sword at his commandment, and punishment to those that did not follow this commandment!!! How loving is that. God sends bad evil sprits to people, lying spirits to trick people to get them killed, he said he wanted revenge on people. Their is rape on many occasions which is approved of by God human sacrifice. it goes on and on. I was a Christian I read the NT & was happy now reading the OT I have lost my Faith.

[crystalcorp]

One very important difference Jesus brings in his teachings: he gives us a personal relationship with God as The Father: (Mark 15:38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom) and through the Holy Ghost, the direct experience of divine revelation for all that follow Christ's teachings.

[prinsalmighty1]

why do people always see god as a judge like we have here on earth?

god is the father of all men,would a father judge his own childeren so hard that they start to hate him?

no i don't think so.

but if a child steals something you tell him it is wrong and if he does it again you will panish him for it,for not listening.

that is the same with god.

but do not think in heaven and hell,that is something god never told us.

[truthbknwn]

Let's be honest. "God" does not "look just" in the OT. He condones everything evil that's under the sun, from pedophilia, to slavery (including sex slaves/concubines), victimization of women & children, cannabalism, and the slaying of innocents including the unborn, rape, pillaging. Watch my video for complete details. Then watch my video "Did Jesus refute the OT god?" (he does). May your eyes be opened.

[handplanty]

what a horrible person, not just his not answering questions but his forcing himself to answer something that implies he's judged God on the basis of morality that doesn't stem from the Bible but from modern individualistic, free, semialtruistic thinking, where people have human rights and the right to vote their own government in place.

This is kind of preaching of cherry-picked parts of the question is what we call deliberate deceit.

[handplanty]

@handplanty and then I haven't even gotten to the contents of his answer.

Saying God wasn't harsh in the OT is almost like saying you haven't read the Bible. God was a genocidal maniac! He ordered the killing of at least 2 million people, not even counting EVERYONE on the whole earth exept Noah. Even in the NT it is made clear God has not changed, so his answer boils down to:

'Why did God go from angry in the OT to forgiving in NT?'

'God is forgiving in both testaments', Which isn't a reason!

[retsae1]

@handplanty I think the reason God was harsh in the New Testament was for two reasons in particular: he was "harsh" to his people because, like a parent, you discipline your kids in their younger years (OT) and then let then mess during their later years when they already know right from wrong (NT, present day), and his promise to his people for a Holy/Promised Land.

[handplanty]

@retsae1 I think your analogy is flawed on several points: First, the OT spans more than a human lifetime; the whole point of discipline during childhood is so that one can behave during adulthood. Besides, divine genocide was clearly meant to glorify the faithful - those not in need of discipline - and did not discipline those in need of it, because they were dead.

I also think the reason for leaving the house is not the fact that the parents let them but that children need independence.

[retsae1]

@handplanty It wasn't exactly intended to be an analogy, but to respond. Of course the OT spans more than a lifetime. You have to remember that God is directing Man, not men, and Man lives a lot longer than men. The point of such harsh discipline was so that men, collectively Man, would be able to see just what God thought of various evils so there would be no excuse to not knowing. And considering that most Christians agree that Jesus is coming soon, it can be said that Man is in adulthood.

[hrtofdavid]

@handplanty You think to highly of men. Every person is DESERVING of the terrible wrath of God. The fact that we still live is evidence of his mercy.

[calves009]

LOL, worst non-answer ever

[mhill247]

Who is this guy? Terrible answer. God is the same yesterday today and forever. Noah found grace in the sight of God. Ezekiel 18:32; 33:11. In Genesis 6 God saw how evil man had become and if he hadn't stepped in to protect the righteous, they would have been eliminated. Israel was told to attack those who were trying to destroy them. The book of Revelation is a book of hope! You see Jesus standing amidst His people in Chapter 1. In Chapters 2 & 3 he provides comfort and power, etc.

[dmckay91]

Well cause people weren't as gullable in the new testament so people had to stop lying.........a fucking ark, really?

[enniopat]

pure contradictions throughout...God the same yesterday and forever(?)

the God of the old testament should have been like the one in the new...

perhaps even Jesus is equally harsh and terrible(?)

[bebopblues]

@enniopat God standards are the same.. in the book of revelation it shows that God will pour out his wrath upon the earth!.. God will not ignore sin.. sin must be dealt with and that will be the case in the end of times.. for God is holy and just..

[truthbknwn]

@bebopblues What happens when the worst sinner is this "God"? Num. 31:17,18 “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known a man intimately. But keep alive for yourselves all the *young* girls who have not known a man intimately.” The Hebrew word for “young” means “CHILDREN”. That's just the tip of the iceberg too.

[truthbknwn]

@bebopblues I have just one question for you.

IS RAGE HOLY BEHAVIOR?

[tempemonkey2323]

Why cant god forgive sin? Why cant he do away with the devil, do away with hell, do away with earth, do away with all of it. Why didn't he do his duty as an all powerful father by creating and raising functional kids? The devil obviously had psychological problems that screwed him up...

He cant do this, because then this evil little religion would not have the mechanisms necessary to scare and enslave minds....

Hmmmm.....

[flamer41]

@tempemonkey2323 God can forgive sin. He keeps the devil on a leash, when the end comes he will be punished, why would he destroy earth, as you know no one on earth is perfect, people can fall. Christianity is not evil, it doesnt scare anyone who believes in Gods word. Only athiest who are unsure of life and unsure of what will happen are scared. We know whats going to happen and we can ask God for forgiveness or help, who have you to rely on?

[tempemonkey2323]

@flamer41 If you know these things where is your evidence? I don't need false beliefs and fairy tales to get me through life. I enjoy reality thanks.

You should research how the bible was composed and other religious peoples testimonies.

[vvintermoon]

god*

[vvintermoon]

this is true. apparently silly christian downgraded your comment because your a "heathen."

[masterowa]

Did you actually read the Bible or just verses you can use against Christians?

The law is a manifestation of how holy is God and what is his righteous judgement on sin. And as a physical chosen people it was law for Israel to remain pure in God's eyes.

In Christ it is all taken further into our inner being, not outer actions. By law we are condemned but we live by grace of God through faith in the Lord. There is much more about it in Romans and Galatians. Christ in gospels explains a lot too.

[truthbknwn]

@masterowa You think Israel was pure? They entered homes, butchered the kids, the pets, then took the young girls captive as "wife plunder"...all for God of course. They had sex slaves (concubines), killed victims of rape if it was in the city, killed rebellious children, killed you for picking up sticks on the Sabbath. Why all they had to do was play the "sinful nation" card, and all the sudden they could steal kill and destroy and it would be considered righteous.

[masterowa]

@truthbknwn Hi, you are totally right. Israel wasn't pure and God has exiled them and punished them. He gave them clear instructions about the way they should behave (also with regard to captives, foreiners, slaves). The prophets were sent primarily against Israel. So Israel was evil but not because they listened to God, but because they didn't.  I know it is tricky to understand the context of some commandments but I'm sure you can find some great books explaining the background to the law.

[truthbknwn]

@masterowa There's just one little problem with your reasoning, and that is that according to scripture, they were only obeying God. The problem that YHWH had with them was that they tried to flee his enslavement! Undoubtedly some of them began to realize that this cannot be God, and started searching elsewhere for God. However, since they had made a covenant, YHWH had a legal right to demand their loyalties, or die.

[masterowa]

@truthbknwn Unfortunately, I do not think that you grasped the idea of God in the Hebrew Bible. It is one thing not to believe it, another to judge the content by your misunderstanding of the doctrines. Please, before we can go any further into that sort of conversation, read through the prophets and Psalms trying to understand the concept of God and His relationship with both Israel and other nations. Then at least we will have some ground for discussion.

[masterowa]

God was as forgiving in the Old Testament as He is in the NT, All the time, all over again he forgave Israel, he left them with hope every single time. And equally Jesus spoke a lot about hell and judgement. God's character did not change a bit between OT and NT. In Christ was understanding of all that has ever happened. In him was fulfilment of every promise and even in the OT God was merciful and forgave those who believed in him because of Christ bearing the punishment on the cross.

[vvintermoon]

that would be kind of hard because gods does not exist.

[macmacr1]

@masterowa Not from what I'm reading, God also punished the familys etc of those that sinned as in KILLED THEM even though they belived.