revanon OP t1_j1k9qmp wrote on December 25, 2022 at 1:12 AM

Reply to comment by Bigram03 in It's Christmas Eve and I'm an ordained pastor. Ask me anything! by revanon

I would submit that there is not so profound a change in God the Creator between Testaments (obviously, there is a big change in God the Son). God is plenty loving and justice-oriented in the Tanakh (Old Testament), and God is capable of wrath in the New Testament--witness the capital punishment meted out to Ananias and Sapphira. And I am by no means accusing you of this, but the framing of God the Creator as so very different between Testaments has led to antisemitic theology in Christian circles, so it is very important for me to take care with that topic.

As regards perfection, I would say that perfection is not a static state of being, because stasis is inherently imperfect as it precludes any additional positive dimensions. God's dynamic nature is a surer path to perfection, I would imagine.

Bigram03 t1_j1kasgb wrote on December 25, 2022 at 1:22 AM

I mean he sacrificed children (Egypt curses among others), and destroyed the whole world the with flood.

Then in the new Jesus starts his ministry of love, and forgiveness and compassion.

Change and growth are predicated on being imperfect and seeking improvement. Why would change needed if one was perfect? How could he even be capable of change if all knowledge is already known?

pistol3 t1_j1ks90o wrote on December 25, 2022 at 4:12 AM

You are correct that God is changeless from a moral perspective. God might change in relation to things like time, for example, knowing today is Dec. 24th, and tomorrow knowing it is Dec 25th, but the God of the Old Testament was morally perfect and the God of the New Testament identically morally perfect.

rydan t1_j1la1z3 wrote on December 25, 2022 at 7:50 AM

yeah, you have to remember the people in the old testament weren't good people and he was just doing what they deserved to happen to them. Unlike today where everyone is highly educated and knows right from wrong.

pistol3 t1_j1mlmth wrote on December 25, 2022 at 5:20 PM

What do you mean by right and wrong? Who determines what is right and what is wrong?