A God of Hate

[Rich R]

There are many passages in the Bible that explicitly say that Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is merciful and loving. Here’s an example:



But that’s far from the whole story. The Book of Joshua describes the conquest of the lands promised to the Israelites. Chapter 12 lists 31 kingdoms that were conquered under the leadership of Joshua. But those kingdoms weren’t just conquered. Every one of the kings of those kingdoms was killed. And not only that, but every one of the cities and towns over which those kings ruled was destroyed. And not only that, but all of the men, women, and children who lived in those cities and towns were killed:



God himself actively participated in this slaughter:



Furthermore, God ordered this slaughter:



Exactly why did God plan to slaughter all of those people? The answer is provided elsewhere in Deuteronomy:



So God didn’t want the Israelites to intermarry with the people of that region. But if God were actually merciful and loving, was there no other way to prevent the Israelites from intermarrying the indigenous people of the promised lands, or was slaughter the only possible option?

An omniscient God would have known that this problem would arise, and he could have planned for it at the time when he created the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, the galaxies, and the earth itself. An omnipotent God could have created a force field around the entire region to prevent anyone else from entering. Then, when the Israelites arrived, he could have disabled the force field to let the Israelites enter a region that would have been fertile, lush, and unpopulated.

Or alternatively an omnipotent God could have left the promised lands at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea. Then when the Israelites arrived he could have lifted up the promised lands from the sea floor and the Israelites could have entered a region that would have been pristine, new, and uninhabited.

Or a truly omnipotent God could have lifted up all of the 31 kingdoms to carry them out of the way. If God had done that the inhabitants of that region would have been immensely grateful-- and he would thereby have gotten thousands of new followers as a result. Instead the only new followers he got were Rahab of Jericho and the other members of her whorehouse.

Slaughtering people simply for their beliefs is genocide. Yahweh certainly had plenty of time and opportunity to choose another path. Why didn’t Yahweh choose any of the options listed above? There is only one possible conclusion: Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is a God of genocide, not of love and mercy.

You'd have to think like the people of 3,000 years ago in a culture vastly different like our modern Western culture to understand what was going on. Suffice it to say, they understood gods and their role in the world in a radically different way than we do. It would take an emptying of previous learning and approaching the question from a different perspective altogether. Would you be willing to do that?

 

[Rich R]

A man?

Setting tradition aside, it is easy enough to see that the Bible explicitly calls Jesus a man no less than 6 times. Not once is he actually called Yahweh.

There are at least a dozen places where it says Jesus has a God and a father. Now that makes perfect sense if we see him as the son of God, a man just like all of us (which the Bible says several times). But if Jesus is God it opens a huge can of worms. Now we need to figure out how a son can be his own Father as well as explaining who the God and father of God is. There are countless other problems when we don't understand the nature of the two main characters in the Bible. It's kind of like mixing up Ahab and the whale when reading Moby Dick. It's hard to make sense out of the story.

I would estimate that at least 80% of what most people think about God and Jesus comes from tradition and not the actual scriptures. Not claiming I have a corner on the truth, but I do understand the difference between a son and a father. I also see that someone being 100% God and 100% human is totally illogical.

 

[IndianaRob]

There are many passages in the Bible that explicitly say that Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is merciful and loving. Here’s an example:



But that’s far from the whole story. The Book of Joshua describes the conquest of the lands promised to the Israelites. Chapter 12 lists 31 kingdoms that were conquered under the leadership of Joshua. But those kingdoms weren’t just conquered. Every one of the kings of those kingdoms was killed. And not only that, but every one of the cities and towns over which those kings ruled was destroyed. And not only that, but all of the men, women, and children who lived in those cities and towns were killed:



God himself actively participated in this slaughter:



Furthermore, God ordered this slaughter:



Exactly why did God plan to slaughter all of those people? The answer is provided elsewhere in Deuteronomy:



So God didn’t want the Israelites to intermarry with the people of that region. But if God were actually merciful and loving, was there no other way to prevent the Israelites from intermarrying the indigenous people of the promised lands, or was slaughter the only possible option?

An omniscient God would have known that this problem would arise, and he could have planned for it at the time when he created the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, the galaxies, and the earth itself. An omnipotent God could have created a force field around the entire region to prevent anyone else from entering. Then, when the Israelites arrived, he could have disabled the force field to let the Israelites enter a region that would have been fertile, lush, and unpopulated.

Or alternatively an omnipotent God could have left the promised lands at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea. Then when the Israelites arrived he could have lifted up the promised lands from the sea floor and the Israelites could have entered a region that would have been pristine, new, and uninhabited.

Or a truly omnipotent God could have lifted up all of the 31 kingdoms to carry them out of the way. If God had done that the inhabitants of that region would have been immensely grateful-- and he would thereby have gotten thousands of new followers as a result. Instead the only new followers he got were Rahab of Jericho and the other members of her whorehouse.

Slaughtering people simply for their beliefs is genocide. Yahweh certainly had plenty of time and opportunity to choose another path. Why didn’t Yahweh choose any of the options listed above? There is only one possible conclusion: Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is a God of genocide, not of love and mercy.

As we move deeper and deeper into the tyranny of the new world order you will understand why God handled those things the way he did.

 

[MA2444]

Exactly why did God plan to slaughter all of those people?

There was a gene pool problem with them initially brought about the antics of fallen Angels like described in Genesis 6.

 

[Wick Stick]

Exactly why did God plan to slaughter all of those people

As I read it, the descendants of Canaan were cursed because he raped his granddaddy...

 

[gpresdo]

There are many passages in the Bible that explicitly say that Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is merciful and loving. Here’s an example:



But that’s far from the whole story. The Book of Joshua describes the conquest of the lands promised to the Israelites. Chapter 12 lists 31 kingdoms that were conquered under the leadership of Joshua. But those kingdoms weren’t just conquered. Every one of the kings of those kingdoms was killed. And not only that, but every one of the cities and towns over which those kings ruled was destroyed. And not only that, but all of the men, women, and children who lived in those cities and towns were killed:



God himself actively participated in this slaughter:



Furthermore, God ordered this slaughter:



Exactly why did God plan to slaughter all of those people? The answer is provided elsewhere in Deuteronomy:



So God didn’t want the Israelites to intermarry with the people of that region. But if God were actually merciful and loving, was there no other way to prevent the Israelites from intermarrying the indigenous people of the promised lands, or was slaughter the only possible option?

An omniscient God would have known that this problem would arise, and he could have planned for it at the time when he created the sun, the moon, the planets, the stars, the galaxies, and the earth itself. An omnipotent God could have created a force field around the entire region to prevent anyone else from entering. Then, when the Israelites arrived, he could have disabled the force field to let the Israelites enter a region that would have been fertile, lush, and unpopulated.

Or alternatively an omnipotent God could have left the promised lands at the bottom of the Mediterranean sea. Then when the Israelites arrived he could have lifted up the promised lands from the sea floor and the Israelites could have entered a region that would have been pristine, new, and uninhabited.

Or a truly omnipotent God could have lifted up all of the 31 kingdoms to carry them out of the way. If God had done that the inhabitants of that region would have been immensely grateful-- and he would thereby have gotten thousands of new followers as a result. Instead the only new followers he got were Rahab of Jericho and the other members of her whorehouse.

Slaughtering people simply for their beliefs is genocide. Yahweh certainly had plenty of time and opportunity to choose another path. Why didn’t Yahweh choose any of the options listed above? There is only one possible conclusion: Yahweh, the God of the Bible, is a God of genocide, not of love and mercy.

..."some things are reserved for our Father's knowledge only".......further...."it shall be revealed in due time"...."do not revise, modify, amend, change, or otherwise alter God's word...it's intent or meaning.."( the later,presented in 3 different books of the Bible).

On those things God has revealed ...we know...those which He has not we don't know. So, by what authority do you conclude what you do in your summary? Self serving...maybe?
Please provide scriptures.

In the mean time we shall pray for your soul's enlightenment of God's word by forgiveness under His umbrella of GRACE.

 

[Freedm]

As we move deeper and deeper into the tyranny of the new world order you will understand why God handled those things the way he did.

The tyranny of the new world order? Which new world order are you referring to? And what tyranny are you referring to?

 

[Freedm]

Setting tradition aside, it is easy enough to see that the Bible explicitly calls Jesus a man no less than 6 times. Not once is he actually called Yahweh.

There are at least a dozen places where it says Jesus has a God and a father. Now that makes perfect sense if we see him as the son of God, a man just like all of us (which the Bible says several times). But if Jesus is God it opens a huge can of worms. Now we need to figure out how a son can be his own Father as well as explaining who the God and father of God is. There are countless other problems when we don't understand the nature of the two main characters in the Bible. It's kind of like mixing up Ahab and the whale when reading Moby Dick. It's hard to make sense out of the story.

I would estimate that at least 80% of what most people think about God and Jesus comes from tradition and not the actual scriptures. Not claiming I have a corner on the truth, but I do understand the difference between a son and a father. I also see that someone being 100% God and 100% human is totally illogical.

You're not wrong, but doesn't it all depend on how we define "God"? Your entire premise seems to require a singular God. What if there are multiple Gods? Can one God not be the father of another God?

 

[Matthias]

You're not wrong, but doesn't it all depend on how we define "God"? Your entire premise seems to require a singular God. What if there are multiple Gods? Can one God not be the father of another God?

Multiple Gods? Wouldn’t that be polytheism?

 

[Freedm]

Multiple Gods? Wouldn’t that be polytheism?

Use whatever fancy language you like. I'm just saying that how you understand the divinity of Jesus depends entirely on how you define divinity. So I don't think anyone can make an argument for or against Jesus being God vs man, unless they first provide a definition for "God".

 

[Matthias]

Use whatever fancy language you like.

“Polytheism” simply means more than one God. I don’t see anything fancy about that.

Jesus himself is a strict monotheist (one God). His God is only one person, the Father (Yahweh).

I'm just saying that how you understand the divinity of Jesus depends entirely on how you define divinity.

My definition of divinity in relation to the man Jesus Messiah: Godlike.

So I don't think anyone can make an argument for or against Jesus being God vs man, unless they first provide a definition for "God".

That sounds reasonable to me.

My definition for God: Blessed be the God and Father of our lord Jesus Christ.

What is yours?

 

[Freedm]

“Polytheism” simply means more than one God. I don’t see anything fancy about that.

Jesus himself is a strict monotheist (one God). His God is only one person, the Father (Yahweh).

Yahweh is the name of the Father whom Jesus referenced, but Elohim is plural and means "Gods". Presumably Yahweh is included in this group, but then who are these other Gods? Who is the "us" in "Let us create man in our image"?

And how is a person fully God, yet fully man? How is a woman impregnated by God? For that matter, how is God different from man? And in what ways are we the same?

I don't pretend to know the answers to any of these questions, but I think there are enough questions here to preclude us from pretending that we know what Jesus meant when he said "I and the Father are one" or "before Abraham was born, I am". And to answer your question, I don't have a definition for God, because I don't understand what God is.

 

[Matthias]

Yahweh is the name of the Father whom Jesus referenced, but Elohim is plural and means "Gods".

Elohim isn’t the personal name of the Father; the tetragrammaton (YHWH) is.

Presumably Yahweh is included in this group, but then who are these other Gods? Who is the "us" in "Let us create man in our image"?

Elohim is a Hebrew word that is always plural in form and also always singular in meaning when used in reference to the God of Israel: God, not Gods. This is easy for us to confirm by consulting any English translation of the Hebrew Bible.

You’re right that angels are also called elohim. One angel is elohim (plural in form, singular in meaning). A group of angels, more than one angel, is also called elohim (plural in form, plural in meaning). This is also easy for us to confirm by consulting any English translation of the Hebrew Bible.

We can also check this by consulting the equivalent words in Greek. When elohim is used in reference to the God of Israel, or one angel, the equivalent Greek word is theos - singular. When elohim is used in reference to more than one angel the equivalent Greek word is theoi - plural.

There has been much discussion over the centuries about who the “us” is. ”Us” is plural, “God” is singular. The “us” is generally considered by commentaries to be God’s angelic court.

God created man, alone, by himself. “Himself” is singular, not plural.

And how is a person fully God, yet fully man

The question was answered at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451.

How is a woman impregnated by God?

Supernaturally, by the overshadowing of his spirit.

For that matter, how is God different from man?

God is unbegotten, man is begotten.

And in what ways are we the same?

I would point to Jesus as the ultimate example. Even so, difference remain.

I don't pretend to know the answers to any of these questions, but I think there are enough questions here to preclude us from pretending that we know what Jesus meant when he said "I and the Father are one"

Jesus supplies the answer in his prayer to God.

... or "before Abraham was born, I am".

It’s a preexistence question. There are two possibilities: literal preexistence or ideal preexistence.

And to answer your question, I don't have a definition for God, because I don't understand what God is.

God is a being who is the creator.

 

[Freedm]

The question was answered at the Council of Chalcedon in AD 451.

Gee, I guess I missed that meeting. I didn't get the invite. Did you take notes? Can you share them with me?

Supernaturally, by the overshadowing of his spirit.


God is unbegotten, man is begotten.


I would point to Jesus as the ultimate example. Even so, difference remain.


Jesus supplies the answer in his prayer to God.


It’s a preexistence question. There are two possibilities: literal preexistence or ideal preexistence.


God is a being who is the creator.

This is what you get when you pretend to know everything, but you really don't. A lot of non-answers. Thanks for trying though! You get a sticker!

 

[Matthias]

Gee, I guess I missed that meeting. I didn't get the invite. Did you take notes? Can you share them with me?

It’s too closely related to the topic which by Board policy is prohibited to be discussed. I risk having my post deleted by a moderator for even mentioning it, but it is known as the Hypostatic Union Doctrine. If you really want to see it you can look it up. (I hope you do and will.)

This is what you get when you pretend to know everything, but you really don't. A lot of non-answers. Thanks for trying though! You get a sticker!

I’m a retired Christian pastor and a retired adjunct college professor of theology. I don’t know everything but everything I told you is independently verifiable. I gave you some very specific answers that should fall within the Board’s policy. Unfortunately, I was unable to be more specific due to that policy.

 

[The Learner]

The tyranny of the new world order? Which new world order are you referring to? And what tyranny are you referring to?

I don't know either

 

[The Learner]

Use whatever fancy language you like. I'm just saying that how you understand the divinity of Jesus depends entirely on how you define divinity. So I don't think anyone can make an argument for or against Jesus being God vs man, unless they first provide a definition for "God".

God – Defined
Defining who and what God is difficult because God is by nature completely different from what we are. Therefore, we can only describe Him by analogy and cite His attribute as He has revealed to us as found in the Bible. Nevertheless, the Christian God is the only supreme, infinite, eternally self-aware being, who had no beginning nor will He cease to exist, who is non-contingent, transcendent, immutable, and of whom no greater being exists. His attributes include holiness, omniscience, omnisapience (all wisdom), omnipotence, omnipresence, logic, righteousness, justice, mercy, grace, etc. He is revealed to us in the person of Jesus as is described in the New Testament Scriptures.

The revelation of Christ as a manifestation of God is necessary because God is completely other than what we are.

God | Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry

Explore Christian Apologetics, theology, and critical answers to today's questions about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith at Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.

carm.org

 

[Freedm]

God – Defined
Defining who and what God is difficult because God is by nature completely different from what we are. Therefore, we can only describe Him by analogy and cite His attribute as He has revealed to us as found in the Bible. Nevertheless, the Christian God is the only supreme, infinite, eternally self-aware being, who had no beginning nor will He cease to exist, who is non-contingent, transcendent, immutable, and of whom no greater being exists. His attributes include holiness, omniscience, omnisapience (all wisdom), omnipotence, omnipresence, logic, righteousness, justice, mercy, grace, etc. He is revealed to us in the person of Jesus as is described in the New Testament Scriptures.

The revelation of Christ as a manifestation of God is necessary because God is completely other than what we are.

God | Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry

Explore Christian Apologetics, theology, and critical answers to today's questions about God, the Bible, and the Christian faith at Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry.

carm.org

I have a feeling that we will all understand much better, once we cross over to the other side, because there's a whole world out there that we can't see and don't understand. Like you said, the best we can do for now is use some descriptive language and apply attributes to God, but that's far from actually understanding.

 

[Matthias]

“I don’t know who God is.”

Watch and listen to Jesus. -> Know who God is.

 

[Traveler]

Use whatever fancy language you like. I'm just saying that how you understand the divinity of Jesus depends entirely on how you define divinity. So I don't think anyone can make an argument for or against Jesus being God vs man, unless they first provide a definition for "God".

Is not ther God of the Bible also called the God of the Gods.

Deu 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:
Deu 10:18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment.