Marcion, an influential second century church leader is the first leader of note to drastically contrast the Old Testament God with Jesus and His Father in the New Testament. His ideas veered so far from traditional Christian teaching that he was declared a heretic.
Many, if not most Christians have struggled with the references to and examples of God's anger in the Old Testament. In reading the New Testament, many believers prefer to highlight the love of God and ignore the teachings about God's rejection of sin. We all naturally respond positively to the teaching on the joys of the New Heaven and New Earth and are not attracted to the teachings on the agony of hell and punishment.
In recent years a number of popular evangelical authors and leaders have been doing their best to re-interpret the New Testament to soften what it teaches about God's anger, punishment of sinners and hell. These are distasteful, uncomfortable subjects for anyone compelled by the love of Christ. Yet so often in both Testaments, the authors seem to have no trouble placing these contrasting teachings near each other, as did Jesus himself.
I was reminded of that today as I read the book of Nahum (and a preceding few verses at the end of Micah.) From Micah 7:18, 19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgressions. --- You will not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us."
In contrast Nahum opens with: "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God, the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. --- the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. --- Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire;" 1:2, 3, 6
But then Nahum also writes these lovely words: "The Lord is slow to anger --- The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. he cares for those who trust in Him." 1: 3, 7
As I read the prophets, I see a mature understanding of God as a wonderful Shepherd to His people (Micah 5:4); who with compassion can forgive and banish all of our sin (Micah 7:10). Yet in His Holiness He remains as the eternal righteous Judge who hates and must punish sin. He will not, He cannot simply allow unrepentant sinners to go unpunished.
Thus if we treat the prophets' message and Jesus' message faithfully, we must continue to call people to faith in our Loving Holy God. With faith that includes repentance, everyone can be absolutely pardoned. God loves to forgive. No one needs to face the righteous anger of God. But tragically, many will.
Many, if not most Christians have struggled with the references to and examples of God's anger in the Old Testament. In reading the New Testament, many believers prefer to highlight the love of God and ignore the teachings about God's rejection of sin. We all naturally respond positively to the teaching on the joys of the New Heaven and New Earth and are not attracted to the teachings on the agony of hell and punishment.
In recent years a number of popular evangelical authors and leaders have been doing their best to re-interpret the New Testament to soften what it teaches about God's anger, punishment of sinners and hell. These are distasteful, uncomfortable subjects for anyone compelled by the love of Christ. Yet so often in both Testaments, the authors seem to have no trouble placing these contrasting teachings near each other, as did Jesus himself.
I was reminded of that today as I read the book of Nahum (and a preceding few verses at the end of Micah.) From Micah 7:18, 19: "Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives transgressions. --- You will not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us."
In contrast Nahum opens with: "The Lord is a jealous and avenging God, the Lord takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. --- the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. --- Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire;" 1:2, 3, 6
But then Nahum also writes these lovely words: "The Lord is slow to anger --- The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. he cares for those who trust in Him." 1: 3, 7
As I read the prophets, I see a mature understanding of God as a wonderful Shepherd to His people (Micah 5:4); who with compassion can forgive and banish all of our sin (Micah 7:10). Yet in His Holiness He remains as the eternal righteous Judge who hates and must punish sin. He will not, He cannot simply allow unrepentant sinners to go unpunished.
Thus if we treat the prophets' message and Jesus' message faithfully, we must continue to call people to faith in our Loving Holy God. With faith that includes repentance, everyone can be absolutely pardoned. God loves to forgive. No one needs to face the righteous anger of God. But tragically, many will.
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