Is the God of the Old Testament nothing but a bully, a murderer, and an oppressor? Many today--even within the church--seem to think so. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments? In this timely...
Is the God of the Old Testament nothing but a bully, a murderer, and an oppressor?
Many today--even within the church--seem to think so. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments?
In this timely and readable book, apologist Paul Copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including:
God is arrogant and jealous God punishes people too harshly God is guilty of ethnic cleansing God oppresses women God endorses slavery Christianity causes violence
Copan not only answers the critics, he also shows how to read both the Old and New Testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving God in both.
Endorsements:
"This is the book I wish I had written myself. It is simply the best book I have read that tackles the many difficulties that the Old Testament presents to thinking and sensitive Christians. Paul Copan writes in such a simple, straightforward way, yet covers enormous issues comprehensively and with reassuring biblical detail and scholarly research."--Christopher J. H. Wright, international director, Langham Partnership International; author of *Old Testament Ethics for the People of God*
"The New Atheists have attacked the morality of the Old Testament with a vengeance. In honesty, many Christians will confess that they struggle with what looks like a primitive and barbaric ethic. Paul Copan helps us truly understand the world of the Old Testament and how it relates to us today. I recommend this book for all who want to make sense of the Old Testament."--Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
"Lucid, lively, and very well informed, this book is the best defense of Old Testament ethics that I have read. A must-read for all preachers and Bible study leaders."--Gordon Wenham, emeritus professor of Old Testament, University of Gloucestershire
"Paul Copan is the nation's leading apologist regarding problems with the biblical text, and *Is God a Moral Monster?* is vintage Copan. He takes on current New Atheist biblical critics and powerfully addresses virtually every criticism they have raised. I know of no other book like this one, and it should be required reading in college and seminary courses on biblical introduction."--J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, and author of *The God Question*
"Most Christians today, myself included, are in dialogue with people we love who have been heavily swayed by the criticisms of Richard Dawkins, et al., against the morality of the Bible and its depiction of a horrific Yahweh God. What struck me in reading *Is God a Moral Monster?* is the degree to which we as Christians need to rethink in radical ways our reading and understanding of the sacred text if we are to have any persuasive reasoning in this ongoing exchange. Sometimes the real monster lies not so much in criticisms from 'without' as in our own holding to certain incorrect paradigms of thinking about the Bible. Aside from the apologetic importance of Professor Copan's work, of far greater value for Christians is the way in which his book forces us to reevaluate the very nature of the God we worship. Read this book. It will awaken your vision of God in wonderful ways!"--William J. Webb, professor of New Testament, Heritage Theological Seminary, and author of *Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals*
"The most difficult questions that can be asked about Scripture include a list of ethical challenges to several Old Testament texts and teachings. These issues have been taken up with more fervor of late, owing to the growing popularity of radical atheism and skepticism. There's virtually no scholar I'd rather read on these subjects than Paul Copan. Building on his earlier research, Paul launches here into a treatment of a detailed list of such challenges, including the so-called genocidal conquest of Canaan. This handbook of responses to these and other tough ethical issues is able to both diminish the rhetoric as well as alleviate many concerns. I recommend this volume heartily."--Gary R. Habermas, distinguished research professor, Liberty University and Seminary
"In a civil and reasoned manner, Paul Copan leads us through the wilderness of challenges to the God and the message of the Old Testament. By amassing and clearly expressing arguments with awareness of the ancient Near Eastern cultural context and of the Hebrew text of the Bible, the author presents a thorough treatment of key issues. This is essential and fascinating reading for anyone engaged in the 'New Atheism' debate."--Richard S. Hess, Earl S. Kalland Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Denver Seminary
Is the God of the Old Testament nothing but a bully, a murderer, and an oppressor? Many today--even within the church--seem to think so. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments? In this timely...
Is the God of the Old Testament nothing but a bully, a murderer, and an oppressor?
Many today--even within the church--seem to think so. How are Christians to respond to such accusations? And how are we to reconcile the seemingly disconnected natures of God portrayed in the two testaments?
In this timely and readable book, apologist Paul Copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including:
God is arrogant and jealous God punishes people too harshly God is guilty of ethnic cleansing God oppresses women God endorses slavery Christianity causes violence
Copan not only answers the critics, he also shows how to read both the Old and New Testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving God in both.
Endorsements:
"This is the book I wish I had written myself. It is simply the best book I have read that tackles the many difficulties that the Old Testament presents to thinking and sensitive Christians. Paul Copan writes in such a simple, straightforward way, yet covers enormous issues comprehensively and with reassuring biblical detail and scholarly research."--Christopher J. H. Wright, international director, Langham Partnership International; author of *Old Testament Ethics for the People of God*
"The New Atheists have attacked the morality of the Old Testament with a vengeance. In honesty, many Christians will confess that they struggle with what looks like a primitive and barbaric ethic. Paul Copan helps us truly understand the world of the Old Testament and how it relates to us today. I recommend this book for all who want to make sense of the Old Testament."--Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College
"Lucid, lively, and very well informed, this book is the best defense of Old Testament ethics that I have read. A must-read for all preachers and Bible study leaders."--Gordon Wenham, emeritus professor of Old Testament, University of Gloucestershire
"Paul Copan is the nation's leading apologist regarding problems with the biblical text, and *Is God a Moral Monster?* is vintage Copan. He takes on current New Atheist biblical critics and powerfully addresses virtually every criticism they have raised. I know of no other book like this one, and it should be required reading in college and seminary courses on biblical introduction."--J. P. Moreland, distinguished professor of philosophy, Talbot School of Theology, and author of *The God Question*
"Most Christians today, myself included, are in dialogue with people we love who have been heavily swayed by the criticisms of Richard Dawkins, et al., against the morality of the Bible and its depiction of a horrific Yahweh God. What struck me in reading *Is God a Moral Monster?* is the degree to which we as Christians need to rethink in radical ways our reading and understanding of the sacred text if we are to have any persuasive reasoning in this ongoing exchange. Sometimes the real monster lies not so much in criticisms from 'without' as in our own holding to certain incorrect paradigms of thinking about the Bible. Aside from the apologetic importance of Professor Copan's work, of far greater value for Christians is the way in which his book forces us to reevaluate the very nature of the God we worship. Read this book. It will awaken your vision of God in wonderful ways!"--William J. Webb, professor of New Testament, Heritage Theological Seminary, and author of *Slaves, Women, and Homosexuals*
"The most difficult questions that can be asked about Scripture include a list of ethical challenges to several Old Testament texts and teachings. These issues have been taken up with more fervor of late, owing to the growing popularity of radical atheism and skepticism. There's virtually no scholar I'd rather read on these subjects than Paul Copan. Building on his earlier research, Paul launches here into a treatment of a detailed list of such challenges, including the so-called genocidal conquest of Canaan. This handbook of responses to these and other tough ethical issues is able to both diminish the rhetoric as well as alleviate many concerns. I recommend this volume heartily."--Gary R. Habermas, distinguished research professor, Liberty University and Seminary
"In a civil and reasoned manner, Paul Copan leads us through the wilderness of challenges to the God and the message of the Old Testament. By amassing and clearly expressing arguments with awareness of the ancient Near Eastern cultural context and of the Hebrew text of the Bible, the author presents a thorough treatment of key issues. This is essential and fascinating reading for anyone engaged in the 'New Atheism' debate."--Richard S. Hess, Earl S. Kalland Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Denver Seminary
Is God a Moral Monster?: Making Sense of the Old Testament God$24.99
Loved this one! Such a great resource for apologetics
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
3 years ago
Big Questions
Reading the Old Testament, particularly for the lay person, can be puzzling, distressing even. There is so much war. There seems to be a great discrepancy with New Testament teaching, so this is why I read Paul Copan's book 'Is God a Moral Monster?'. I found the book very readable and the reasonably short chapters and section headings helped one to take bites to chew over. While not finding all the answers to my questions (I don't think this is possible), I found the book helpful in many respects, particularly the background to the Israelite and other cultures of the day. This is not a book for evangelistic purposes, in my opinion, but certainly one that can help the Christian go some way towards dispelling myths and articulating answers to some of the big questions people ask, if done with a humble demeanour. Recommended.
A
Anonymous
I recommend this product
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
6 years ago
Is God a Moral Monster?
Highly recommended, Dr Paul is an incredible scholar and honestly, if you think the OT is weird and doesn't make sense, Dr Copan helps you with this book to understand:\\n\\n1) The Holiness of YHWH \\n2) The Law for His people compared to the world\\n3) God is not just a God of love, but The God Of Justice. \\n\\nIf this book is not on your shelf, get it and watch your confidence grow when answering an atheist who brings accusations he found on the internet and has never opened a Bible in his life or tried to study, you will be confident to answer OT questions they will know, you study your bible and not just carry it. Watch them tuck their tails and run.
A
Anonymous
Rated 3 out of 5 stars
12 years ago
Basic, but thorough.
If you are after a concise, basic, and thorough analysis of the Old Testament """"crimes"""" that Atheists accuse God of, then this book is for you! The author, Copan, covers such topics as the accusation that God is a racists, mysoginist, blood-thirsty, power-hungry God. Copan also mentions the difference between Ancient Israel's wars in Canaan and Islamic Jihad, and how they cannot be placed in the same bucket. Copan is gentle in his treatment of New Atheists, and Muslims, but at the same time staying true to his faith. If you converse with sceptics and atheists, I recommend this book as a basic introduction to some of the arguments that atheists bring against the God of the Christian Bible. The book is simple, funny at times, and provides some great analogies.
