Introduction
Can love and destruction be two faces of the same coin? Can God be ‘holy’ and ‘just’, yet hate and hold vengeance? Perhaps the most pivotal argument between skeptics and Christians today is that of the character of God. Most theologians hold true to the character of God as revealed through the Holy Scriptures. They believe, every jot, letter, and tittle are inspired and meaningful; revealing the character of its author. This, however, is harder in some instances than others. Some argue, “How can one believe the divine inspiration of scripture when a holy, loving God orders the genocide of an entire people.” In essence, they ask, “How can professing Christians claim to love a God who once operated in unprecedented anger and spite against his own creation?” What skeptics hope to create is a dichotomy that those who profess Christ must give an answer for. How can God be loving and just, and still be so seemingly spiteful? It is obvious, apologist has their work cut out for them.
But, what if, what is seemingly dichotic in nature, is not so mutually exclusive after all? What if God is both perfectly loving, and perfectly just? What if his orders to carry out conquest and destruction, prophetically sets up his character to be true, ultimately proving the inspiration …show more content…
Please note, God has previously demonstrated his willingness to defer judgment to a heart that is repentant and willing to turn back to him. We see this at His willingness to spare the entire city of Sodom, for the sake of 10 righteous when petitioned by his servant Abraham (Genesis 18:16-33). In Chronicle, the prophet proclaim God’s promise “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles
Can love and destruction be two faces of the same coin? Can God be ‘holy’ and ‘just’, yet hate and hold vengeance? Perhaps the most pivotal argument between skeptics and Christians today is that of the character of God. Most theologians hold true to the character of God as revealed through the Holy Scriptures. They believe, every jot, letter, and tittle are inspired and meaningful; revealing the character of its author. This, however, is harder in some instances than others. Some argue, “How can one believe the divine inspiration of scripture when a holy, loving God orders the genocide of an entire people.” In essence, they ask, “How can professing Christians claim to love a God who once operated in unprecedented anger and spite against his own creation?” What skeptics hope to create is a dichotomy that those who profess Christ must give an answer for. How can God be loving and just, and still be so seemingly spiteful? It is obvious, apologist has their work cut out for them.
But, what if, what is seemingly dichotic in nature, is not so mutually exclusive after all? What if God is both perfectly loving, and perfectly just? What if his orders to carry out conquest and destruction, prophetically sets up his character to be true, ultimately proving the inspiration …show more content…
Please note, God has previously demonstrated his willingness to defer judgment to a heart that is repentant and willing to turn back to him. We see this at His willingness to spare the entire city of Sodom, for the sake of 10 righteous when petitioned by his servant Abraham (Genesis 18:16-33). In Chronicle, the prophet proclaim God’s promise “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles