Is God a Vindictive Bully? Reconciling Portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments

by Paul Copan

Publisher:

Baker Academic

, 2022

Overview

Critics outside the church often accuse the Old Testament God of genocide, racism, ethnic cleansing, and violence. But a rising tide of critics within the church claim that Moses and other "primitive," violence-prone prophets were mistaken about God's commands and character. Both sets of critics dismiss this allegedly harsh, flawed, "textual" Old Testament God in favor of the kind, compassionate, "actual" God revealed by Jesus. Are they right to do so?

Following his popular book Is God a Moral Monster?, noted apologist Paul Copan confronts false, imbalanced teaching that is confusing and misleading many Christians. Copan takes on some of the most difficult Old Testament challenges and places them in their larger historical and theological contexts. He explores the kindness, patience, and compassion of God in the Old Testament and shows how Jesus in the New Testament reveals not only divine kindness but also divine severity. The book includes a detailed Scripture index of difficult and controversial passages and is helpful for anyone interested in understanding the flaws in these emerging claims that are creating a destructive gap between the Testaments.

Key Features

• Explores the kindness, patience, and compassion of God in the Old Testament
• Shows how Jesus in the New Testament reveals not only divine kindness but also divine severity
• Takes on some of the most difficult Old Testament challenges and places them in their larger historical and theological contexts

Contents

• The Great Divorce: How Wide the Divide between the Old and New Testaments?
• Lex Rex (the Law, the King): What Makes the Law of Moses So Special?
• Crime and Punishment: Violations and Penalties in Old Testament Law
• For Whom the Bell Tolls:Harsh Texts and Difficult Old Testament Questions
• Of Human Bondage: Women and Servants in Israelite Society
• War and Peace: Warfare and Violence in the Old Testament (and the New)
• The Heart of the Matter: The Summing Up of All Things in Christ

Praise for Is God a Vindictive Bully?

Many books have been published that suggest that the Old Testament describes God not as he really is but rather as Israel depicted him from their rather primitive, tribal perspective. One prominent evangelical voice has even suggested that Christians 'unhinge' themselves from the Old Testament. In this well-thought-out and accessible book, Paul Copan takes on these critics 'from within' the church. He does so with grace yet conviction. I highly recommend this book for all Christians who are tempted to ignore the Old Testament.

—Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

Paul Copan's work speaks to current voices that assert the Old Testament's depiction of God is highly problematic or at odds with the New Testament. He engages critics from outside the faith who with vindictive glee mischaracterize the Old Testament's presentation of God. He addresses critics from within who jettison the hard parts of the Old Testament or assert its depiction of God is in error. God's people are often confused by and suspicious of the Old Testament, wondering how it aligns with Jesus; these conversations are pressing for my seminary students and for local pastors and congregations. Dr. Copan provides a valuable resource in accessible language that speaks with informed conviction and with grace. In a time when the Old Testament's necessary role in Christian faith is attacked and undermined, Dr. Copan's work serves the good of the church. I highly recommend it for all whose faith seeks understanding.

—Lissa M. Wray Beal, professor of Old Testament, Providence Theological Seminary, Otterburne, Manitoba

People are inclined to think that the Old Testament God is like the Taliban and the New Testament God is a comfort animal. Dr. Copan takes on that kind of view with passion. I can't imagine that there are any misapprehensions about the Scriptures, particularly about the Old Testament, that aren't covered by this book. You may not agree with everything in Dr. Copan's study, but you will be dazzled by the range of issues that he covers and the range of material he offers.

—John Goldingay, senior professor of Old Testament and David Allan Hubbard Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

Product Details

• Title: Is God a Vindictive Bully? Reconciling Portrayals of God in the Old and New Testaments
• Author: Paul Copan
• Publisher: Baker Academic
• Print Publication Date: 2022
• Logos Release Date: 2022
• Pages: 304
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: God › Biblical teaching; Bible. N.T. › Relation to the Old Testament
• ISBNs: 9781493438013, 9781540964557, 9781540966070, 9781493438006, 9781493437993, 1540964558, 1540966070, 149343800, 1493437992, 149343800X, 1493438018
• Resource ID: LLS:SGDVNDCTVBLLY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-16T18:04:02Z

About Paul Copan

Paul Copan is a Christian theologian, analytic philosopher, apologist, and author. He is currently a professor at the Palm Beach Atlantic University and holds the Pledger Family Endowed Chair of Philosophy and Ethics. He has written primarily in the area of philosophy of religion, authored seven books about religious relativism and Science & religion, and edited eleven books in field of philosophy of religion and the historicity of Jesus Christ.