People have strange notions of God. A semi-agnostic co-worker recently remarked to me that he regards the Bible as so much hooey because the God of the Old Testament is mean and wrathful while the God of the New Testament is about love and forgiveness. How can Christians, he wondered, be silly enough to believe in both. It seems to me that many people, whether or not they would articulate it in such a way, view God in much the same way.
They think that the God of the Old Testament created the world and was determined to run things His way. Step out of line and He would send a flood or drop some fire and brimstone on you just as soon as look at you. Follow the rules or He would open a whole can of smite on you.
The God of the New Testament, however, loves everyone just as they are …
February 11, 2010 at 6:52 pm
Great article! You have nailed the difference perfectly.
Charles Sommer
February 11, 2010 at 8:47 pm
At least it was an semi-agnostic co-worker. I heard a Deacon preach that false dichotomy at a Mass just last year.
February 11, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Brilliant! You said something I've been saying for a long time, and said it very well. *God doesn't change*.
The mercy offered by God in the NT can only be appreciated for its full value when placed in context with the wrath our sins provoke from him in the OT (and lest we forget, in places in the NT, also–Ananias & Sapphira, anyone? or the Book of Revelation?).
Good job, Patrick (nice job with the neighbor kid, too–would you mind visiting my neighborhood some day soon?).
February 12, 2010 at 5:31 am
There's a praise&worship song out there called He Is Coming that had some great lyrics that ran:
The day of the Lord is at hand
See Him riding on a white horse
The armies of heaven behind Him
And the sword of the Spirit in His hand
He will smite His enemies!
And then all the kids would yell out: Smite! Smite! Smite!
Best part.
February 12, 2010 at 3:45 pm
Can I just say, "Follow the rules or He will open a whole can of smite on you" should be on bumperstickers, tee-shirts, etc. Love it. LOVE it.