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by Asji01 on August 21st, 2005

Asji01

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What is the explanation for the Christian God's transition from a wrathful god of war into the modern day god of peace and love?

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  • by Thom64 on August 22nd, 2005

    Thom64

    Some theologians and scholars take the postion that God somehow is different in the Old Testament and the New Testament, but I disagree. I will have to let someone else defend that position. I am convinced the Bible teaches quite the opposite: God is both loving and wrathful throughout the Bible.

    God is quoted in Malachi 3:6 "I the LORD do not change."
    James 1:17 "the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation..."

    God is characterized by love in the Old Testament:

    In Exodus 34, God speaks of himself as "the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin."

    In Deuteronomy 7:9 He "is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands."

    Neh. 9:32 "the great, mighty and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love"

    There are many other quotes from the Old Testament reinforcing the association of God with love (and peace).

    God is characterized as "wrathful" in the New Testament:

    Romans 13:4 "But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."

    1 Thessalonians 4:6 "...The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you."

    2 Thessalonians 1:9 "They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord."

    2 Peter 2:9 "...the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment."

    Once again, many more verses could be cited in support.

    Comments

    • Right, the format of God's revelation of Himself is all that changed. We get confused because we don't pay attention.

      jalex137

      by jalex137 on September 9th, 2005

    • Amen to that.

      BaaBaaBlackSheep

      by BaaBaaBlackSheep on December 5th, 2005

    • good answer

      wfbrad

      by wfbrad on May 9th, 2006

    • Insightful.

      Anonymous too

      by Anonymous too on September 27th, 2006

    • The OT has god *acting* wrathful (worldwide flood, plagues, genocide, etc.), while no such acts are described in the NT. This is the basis of the question, and your answer does not address it.

      Flynn444

      by Flynn444 on October 18th, 2006

    • Flynn444: God's perfect justice and wrath are carried out in the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus Christ in the NT. Jesus Christ CAME to die ... that sin might be dealt with for ALL TIME. Jesus mentions an EVERLASTING and UNQUENCHABLE fire for those who disobey his word. See Matthew 5:22, Matthew 5:29, Matthew 5:30, Matthew 10:28, Matthew 18:9, Matthew 23:15, Matthew 23:33, Mark 9:43, Mark 9:45, Mark 9:47, Luke 12:5, James 3:6, 2 Peter 2:4 ... etc! Therefore, the God of the OT is the SAME God of the NT! God does NOT change ... the only thing that changes is the interpretation of God's UNCHANGING word! Thank you.

      brian_griffith

      by brian_griffith on January 22nd, 2007

    • Partially disagree Thom 64.
      God's relationship with man has changed because Jesus already bore God's wrath for us.
      The attributes of God are unchanging but the nature of His relationship with us has changed and so has his dispensation. Do not take Bible passages out of context.
      God doesn't change in His will and His faithfulness to us. He means for all to be saved. He turned from the Jew to the Gentile through Paul to make His will happen.
      The wrath stuff in the OT was necessary in preparing Israel to recieve the Messiah.

      genny

      by genny on February 16th, 2009

    • Which, supposedly, they didn't.

      Want To Sleep With A Miner

      by Want To Sleep With A Miner on September 19th, 2009

    • Isn't there some kind of remark about Moses talking to God; and God being willing to change His mind about what He would do? ...Found it:

      Exodus 32:9-14 -

      “I have seen these people,” the Lord said to Moses, “and they are a stiff-necked people. 10Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

      11But Moses sought the favor of the Lord his God. “O Lord,” he said, “why should your anger burn against your people, whom you brought out of Egypt with great power and a mighty hand? 12Why should the Egyptians say, ‘It was with evil intent that he brought them out, to kill them in the mountains and to wipe them off the face of the earth’? Turn from your fierce anger; relent and do not bring disaster on your people. 13Remember your servants Abraham, Isaac and Israel, to whom you swore by your own self: ‘I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and I will give your descendants all this land I promised them, and it will be their inheritance forever.’” 14Then the Lord relented and did not bring on his people the disaster he had threatened."

      Hmm - sounds to me like God changed His attitude after speaking with Moses ......

      katy2

      by katy2 on September 19th, 2011

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