However, opans analysis and explanation of gods actions is stellar. His central argument is that no, having god helps, but of course as were all made in gods image we dont need him and that we can be moral without him but having him helps make us better. Paul copan takes on neoatheists claims of a petty, malicious old testament god. Love is not reducible to the laws restraining influence, and enjoying gods presence is not identical to idolavoidance. And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of god portrayed in the two. As you may know, people have search numerous times for their favorite novels like this is god a moral monster by copan paul 2011, but end up in malicious downloads. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. I had read a lot on this subject and did not expect to find anything new, but i was surprised to find exactly that. Hilber, professor of old testament at grand rapids theological seminary. Were posting the full interview, which was featured in lees investigating faith email newsletter here at bible gateway, below. Or as paul copan phrases the question in the title of his recent book, is god a moral monster. The sooner christians realize this, the sooner the church can make a deeper impact as salt and light in society. The law is imperfect, not in the sense that it is a moral compromise, as copan claims, but in the sense that it is not sufficient to. It brings together important material that is otherwise scattered and demonstrates how this material responds to a line of moral criticism that has, by and large, been neglected by christian philosophers until now.
Making sense of the old testament god by paul copan available from rakuten kobo. Discover free books by indie authors, who are publishing on epub. Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god kindle edition by copan, paul. In the eyes of some, it presents god as fearinspiring, violent and vengeful a sharp contrast to the love and. God s greatest achievement is the son of god s selfhumiliation. Is god an a moral monster who encourages slavery and abuse.
For the nonbeliever, it is an obstacle towards coming to faith. Tawa anderson at the 2015 defend the faith conference at the new orleans baptist seminary. In this timely and readable book, apologist paul copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including. Buy is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god 1st edition by copan, paul isbn. Copan takes the time to explain many of the old testaments seemingly inexplicable and tedious laws. Jan 01, 2011 is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god ebook written by paul copan. By paul copan is definitely a musthave for disciplers and apologists considering how often questions come up about ot laws. A recent string of popularlevel books written by the new atheists have leveled the accusation that the god of the old testament is nothing but a bully, a murderer. I would recommend every small group leader or sunday school teacher at least have access to a copy.
Paul copan, is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. The new atheists dawkins, dennett, harris, hitchens level arguments against old testament morality as primitive and barbaric, presumably undercutting belief in the biblical god yahweh. Making sense of the old testament god, is the best apologia i have read for the disturbing actions and characteristics of the god of the bible. Yet the old testament presents creational moral ideals in genesis 12. All that own the being of a god, own that he knows all things beforehand. Those who would say that god is a moral monster such as christopher hitchens, actually argue that the cross the sacrifice of jesus and necessity of the cross is morally henious. Now, it is selfevident that if he knows all things beforehand, he either approves of them or does not approve of them. Todays new atheists are not at all impressed with the moral credentials of the old testament ot god.
Monument 14 is a postapocalyptic ya novel that transcends age barriers. The god of the bible is a good god who demonstrates his love for people by giving his son for the salvation of those who believe john 3. I had read a lot on this subject and did not expect to find anything new, but i was surprised to find. The conquest of canaan is arguably the most intractable ethical problem in the bible, and to date no solution has garnered a consensus, says john w. In the end, copans book only appeals to christians who are worried the about possibility that their god might be a moral monster. In other words, any old testament evidence of this god s moral culpability must be explained away in light of the more loving and inclusive new testament passages. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. A brief overview todays new atheists are not at all impressed with the moral credentials of the old testament ot god. Making sense of the old testament god paul copan duration.
Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god ebook written by paul copan. Mar 03, 20 are the charges made by the new atheists a distorted representation of old testament ethics or is god a moral monster, as the new atheists says he is. Is god a moral monster, committing or condoning genocide as some have interpreted from this text. Both claims are contrary to reason and evidence, as well as the biblical understanding of god s nature. How do we explain god s command to israel to exterminate the canaanites. This viewpoint is even making inroads into the church. Indeed we are told that without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. When my book proposal for god behaving badly went to publishers sept 2009 word came back that baker already had a book on a similar topic coming out which got my attention. What makes my jaw drop is that people today should base their lives on such an appalling role model as yahwehand even worse, that they should bossily try to force the. Making sense of the god of the old testament came out a few years ago, but after reading god or godless. When a person rejects the god of the bible, he often chooses to label him as immoral. Part 2 of copans book asks whether god is a gracious master or moral monster.
Products is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. If you come here often, you should tell us and the whole world, really about yourself in the bio section of your profile. Yes, god prohibits worship of other gods, but his ultimate desire is that his people love him wholeheartedly. Butler cited from for his the skeletons in gods closetp. Oct 04, 2011 these are some of the issues raised by lee strobel in a recent interview with paul copan about copans recent book is god a moral monster. Is a brief assessment on how much the modern world has been influenced by jesus, and argues that he is far more important than many of us imagine him to be. I wanted to explore issues in old testament apologetics further. His central argument is that no, having god helps, but of course as were all made in god s image we dont need him and that we can be moral without him but having him helps make us better.
I can only hope that in these few paragraphs i have provided a spark of insight into why judaism proclaims that god is moral, and a spark of hope to you who sincerely struggles with the concept of a moral god. In other words, any old testament evidence of this gods moral culpability must be explained away in light of the more loving and inclusive new testament passages. For a nonjewish person, the god of the old testament might come across is very cruel. Making sense of the old testament god por paul copan disponible en rakuten kobo. Nonbelievers have been known to accuse god of being hypocritical, selfish, arrogant, judgmental, hateful, and even homicidala moral monster. A recent string of popularlevel books written by the new atheists have leveled the accusation that the god of the old t. If you like heartstopping suspense, realistic characters, and new takes on survival novels, then youll love the first book in emmy laybournes monument 14 series. According to this accusation, god is a moral monster since he created evilor because he neglects to do anything about evil. Is a brief assessment on how much the modern world has been influenced by jesus, and argues that he is far more important than many of us imagine him. The problem is as important to the nonbeliever as it is to the believer. Yet they fail to see that all their accusations are without substance for in the cross is gods righteousness revealed. Sometimes the real monster lies not so much in criticisms from without as in our own holding to.
Is an assessment of whether god craves attention, or whether being religious and worshipping god is a way of improving the self. May 03, 2012 whether you are currently wrestling with these questions, know people who are, or just want to be prepared for when they come up, dr. Dec, 2015 paul copans book, is god a moral monster. Novels, thriller, poems, fantasyall literature genres available. Thankfully, baker books granted my request, and now here we are. However, opans analysis and explanation of god s actions is stellar. When i attended the society of biblical literature annual meeting in atlanta nov 2010 i picked up a copy of paul copans is god a moral monster. How do we explain gods command to israel to exterminate the canaanites. Is god a moral monster a recent string of popularlevel books written by the new atheists have leveled the accusation that the god of the old.
Now, it is selfevident that if he knows all things beforehand, he either approves of. The new atheists and old testament ethics paul copan philosophy and ethics palm beach atlantic university palm beach, florida the new atheists and the old testament. A recent string of popularlevel books written by the new atheists have leveled the accusation that the god of the old testament is nothing but a bully, a murderer, and a cosmic child abuser. Is an assessment of the covenant, and whether picking one people is horrid and discriminatory or a good way to benefit the whole of humanity, i. The book is good enough that i am leaning toward including it in the future as one of the four textbooks in the seminary apologetics course i teach and that, dear reader, is high praise indeed. Read free is god a moral monster by copan paul 2011 is god a moral monster by copan paul 2011 thank you very much for downloading is god a moral monster by copan paul 2011. To forget this is to forget the good news and the awesome love of god for us.
Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament. And when god calls on us to worship him, this fulfills our humanity since we are made to know and love god. On closer inspection, the hero status accorded to abraham, moses and david in the old testament and echoed in the new testament is rooted not in their moral perfection but in their uncompromising dedication to the cause of yahweh and their rugged trust in the promises of god rather than lapsing into the idolatry of many of their contemporaries. Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. I would not expect you, or anyone, to suddenly accept them without further research. Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god copan, paul on. Because of israels embeddedness in the ancient near easts harsh, morallyproblematic social milieu, old testament legislation is in.
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