Is God a Vindictive Bully? 🤔 Interview with Paul Copan

[@ChildofGod98765]

God is good. As christians we must have complete trust in our Heavenly Father. Even as we struggle in life. As I constantly struggle to provide for my two autistic children I keep faith. Faith is all I have. It is truly the only armor against the enemy. As a single mom things are hard on me. My health is fading I suffered a heart attack two years ago and I’m battling lupus. Every month is a struggle to get by. I struggle to pay rent and struggle to buy groceries it’s disheartening. But God lifts me up everyday. He has carried me this far. No matter how hard my financial struggles are I will praise Jesus! I will keep faith because I believe that Jesus is King. ❤

[@traynorton7107]

I'm praying for you 🙏

[@martin2289]

@@traynorton7107 Fat lot of good that ever does for anything.

[@LivingInThePresenceVP]

The Lord is with you! My mother was a single mother and also had breast cancer and the Lord pulled her through both. God is faithful and we’re praying for you !

[@NgqabuthoLloydMafu]

Psalm 68:5 tells us his, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.” Matthew 6:32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 6:34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Keep trusting in him his faithful to you

[@WePlugGOODMusic]

Christian apologists like Paul Copan should start engaging and challenging Joshua Bowen’s take on biblical slavery

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

Who is Joshua Bowen, and what does this person say about slavery? Also, I've always wondered how after the Christian era began, how could Europeans and Americans ever have justified slaver, when Jesus told his followers,in no uncertain terms, about how to conduct themselves on Earth, among people!! No violence allowed, no killing allowed, you just go about preaching the Gospel, make disciples, then move on as you establish local bodies of more believers. How hard is this to figure out ?? No way did Jesus ever say to go all over the world,to colonize, commit genocide, make slaves and a slave- based economy ! When these things were done,in God's name as an excuse - all commands in the New Testament were violated, no way around that fact ! Anyone running around saying that the slave trade is justified,meant to happen,etc. has stuffing for brains at best . I'm not even Black, I'm first generation American, and can see this for myself.

[@dylanbiggs3997]

@WePlugGOODMusic Sorry to respond to you late my friend. Dr. Copan informed of two essays that he has written in response to Dr. Bowen on issue of warfare and servitude in OT. They will published in a book titled: Christianity Contested (Wipf and Stock 2025). At the time of me writing this you only have wait a couple more months until it's published. I'm pretty positive it will come out in December. Hope this helps!

[@taniaharris]

If someone from your church came to you and said, "the Holy Spirit spoke to me and told me to commit genocide", how would you answer them?

[@elijahmcgrath5918]

What's the aim of this question? Obviously we know that it's not God telling them that. Love your work by the way Tania

[@taniaharris]

@@elijahmcgrath5918 Thanks Elijah! It's to help us reflect on what Paul is saying above.

[@PC-vg8vn]

No we wouldnt. Though you can understand, given the OT, why Israel is killing many thousands because of what Hamas did to them - killing women and children. The problem is that today's society is quite different from OT times. The people of God is no longer a single ethnic group which could easily be wiped out by others. It was also required to continue so that the Messiah would eventually be born centuries later. So logically one could argue extreme measures were required to deal with those trying to wipe out Israel then. That simply doesnt apply now. You could similarly ask the question - would the HS tell me to obtain a slave? Today the answer is no, but in OT times, given that God did not condemn slavery but accommodated it, the answer may very well have been yes! I think sometimes we are so culturally-minded that we fail to appreciate what societies were like 2 or 3000 years ago.

[@btnagasaki3029]

I would say, "no He did not." lol

[@nichill7474]

I would say “practice on yourself first”.

[@samcooperyoutube]

Great episode, y'all! This was super helpful. Love Paul Copan.

[@dannyballentine4583]

Thank you for this episode. I left a church in large part due to teachings being presented from Greg Boyd around open theism, there is no penal atonement and this post modern "cruciform hermaneutic." There has to be a point were we can call some false teaching and blasphemy. Not something that should be thrown around but when Boyd calls the Ark of the Covenant demonically possessed using this illogical mind exercise, it should be called out and good shephards should protect the Lord's sheep.

[@kristenrichard1777]

This episode is so timely and confirming!

[@petercruz6731]

ChildofGod: You are a true warrior. God bless you and keep you and be gracious to you. May He lift His face toward you and give you peace.

[@raffaelah]

I just saw a video making social media rounds where a Turkish MP is struck down with a heart attack on the floor of parliament, right after he rails against Israel and how it will "not escape the wrath of Allah". This Remnant video seems timely! For those interested the man's name is "Hasan Bitmez".

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

Yeah, I saw that after hearing about it on the radio. Very creepy.

[@sheldonwiens1314]

Has anyone in the comment section ever been to Great Wolf Lodge between 2009 and 2019? If so, has anyone met the character mascots when you were there? I've only been there once (in 2014), and I missed out on meeting them. But ever since then, I have been deeply in love with them more than any other mascot because they were super, super cute, lovable, tender-hearted, and kid-friendly. 💖 If they were real-life characters in Heaven, they would encourage us adults like little kids and cheer us on while God tries us as criminal adults and cheers on and encourages Satan to deceive and condemn us. If so, God himself would be nothing to us, and the Great Wolf Lodge "Kids" characters would definitely be SOMETHING to us. I would value them 100%, and God 0%.

[@TheRemnantRadio]

Again, I'm so sorry that you feel God is harsh. I pray that He will reveal Himself to you and draw you close. He is a kind and loving God.

[@gareth2736]

Is Paul misrepresenting Greg Boyd when he says that he would agree with Dawkins that "The God of the Old Testament is the most unpleasant character in fiction". I find that hard to believe but would also expect Paul to place a high value on truth even debating people he disagrees with - does anyone know when or where or whether Greg Boyd ever said he agrees with Dawkins on this ? it sounds a priori unlikely.

[@inez7609]

Id say at most Boyd can see how Dawkins comes to that conclusion. I actually read the entire 1400 pages of crucifixion of the warrior God.

[@PC-vg8vn]

I suspect Boyd would say he can see why Dawkins holds such a view, but it's because he (Dawkins) misunderstands the Old Testament.

[@acts413biblecollege8]

I really want to see Boyd given a chance to respond here.

[@JulieSevelson-nb9nj]

All this arguing about this stuff - does it really matter if God is a bully ?? I've wondered about that, and all one can say is, it is what it is. Not liking something, or how things are done won't change reality. Unfortunately for humans and this planet, the Bible is true,as far as I can tell. Egypt is going to cancel it's peace treaty with Israel if they keep on attacking Gaza. I don't want that to happen, but nasty Netanyahu faces corruption charges, so he'll keep that war going. He doesn't care how many innocent civilians die, neither does Hamas, whose leaders are all billionaires! Average people pay that price, always have. Bible prophecy is all about mass deaths and destruction, so is God a bully, that's rather a silly question. No one can change God, or talk him out of doing these things. We're stuck with him. Another thing, this dispute between Copan and Boyd- America is always doing this- no one can agree about basic doctrine,even ! American Christianity is the worst ! Always,the only thing that matters is money, possessions, status. They hardly care about fellow Americans, and are willing to have a dictatorship, just because some business guy who wants to be president for life threw them a few bones, concerning gays or abortion. In the end, sadly, it does not matter if God or Jesus are bullies. They win, regardless.

[@Keverember]

Short answer: no

[@bethgwin1921]

Maybe the purpose of God working with the Israelites in the OT as He did was to give all of us a picture of what it's like to live under the law and how sin is punished...it makes us VERY needy and desiring of relief=JESUS

[@PC-vg8vn]

A few things- 1. Even if we accept that the OT passages contain hyperbole, the problem remains that it is supposed to reflect what God actually said to the Israelites. So whilst the writing may be hyperbole, were God's commands the same? In other words, if God said 'kill all of them, men. women and children' he was exaggerating and didnt really mean 'all' or 'children'? Or did the Israelites mishear God? 2. If we accept Copan's view, how do you explain that it appears that later on God showed he was displeased with the Israelites precisely because they did not wipe them out and therefore were not completely obedient? 3. Re Abraham, Richard J Middleton has argued that rather than pleasing God by willing to execute his own son, the test was to discern God's true character, and Abraham failed. In other words, God would not have required Abraham to murder his own son (child sacrifice carried out by other peoples is expressly condemned later), and Abraham failed to understand that. 4. re the cruciform God, I can understand where boyd etc is coming from. Afterall, the Son's self-sacrifice is hinted at from the very beginning in Genesis. Even Jesus' words about divorce indicate that sometimes God accommodated to man's hard heartedness, but it wasnt actually God's perfect will. But reading just the OT text, you would never have thought that as it was presented in the form of a law. Id appreciate a response if you have the time, thx.

[@stetsonscott8209]

If I might add: What's wrong with conditional life? It seems like the crew here was vaguely disparaging of annihilation. Which is strange if there is precedent for eternal destruction being hyperbole. How is one eternal hell worse or better than another? Millstones and the conditions of those from Tyre as varying degrees seems to mean that there are Qual distinctions about judgment. This points to purification and possibly even post judgment universal Christological reconciliation via destruction of the old man in hell. None of these things eliminates the judgment or the sacrifice of Christ as necessary. The Lord preached to souls in hell once already. "Pick and choose" is an uncharitable characterization from somebody essentially doing the same with their own particular hermeneutic. I'm grateful for Copan's work - but he seems to not see that many would accuse him of the same "picking and choosing." He has to demonstrate that the approaches he disregards aren't capable of defending against his interpretation and references.

[@keithmatswimbo7083]

God in the old testament is a not God of grace.grace and mercy came by christ jesus.

[@mrgallbladder]

Sorry, off topic, but Man, every time I see Michael Heiser in the intro, I get really sad 😢

[@BramVaschellie]

Loved that man, he was wonderful.

[@andrewmattiewalter]

It's a kind reminder that he now knows the true DEPTHS AND RICHES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST! ❤️ He knows how it all works now and he absolutely loves it.

[@John-Christchurch-NZ]

I was looking for insight when sharing my faith with Atheist’s who make this claim. Disappointed. This is just an attack on Greg Boyd and what he teaches. I haven't listened to him but his name comes up in what I do listen to and read. I doubt he says things with the flipancy and irrationalness portrayed here, which is more typically the language of one mocking or ridiculing. I'm also aware of how easily we miss context and understanding both of the Bible and others teaching. I was looking for insight into how the Father for example, in the parable of the Prodigal Son, fitted Old Testament stories about God. Nothing here. I was also disappointed with Michaels comments at the end which seem like mocking and scorn of those he disagrees with, and have made me uncomfortable before.

[@shj723]

Random observation: Is it just me, or does Dr. Copan sound alot like Greg Koukl? 🤔 STR might have more bass on their system, but if you use your imagination . . .

[@tonycaine5930]

I believe there is a loving, forgiving God that does not thirst for human blood or any sacrifices. I just do not believe in the god portrayed in the Bible that demands human blood and human sacrifices in order for forgiveness.

[@Jawond34]

I'm reading is God a moral monster and the every Christian should I have this book

[@marcusanthony488]

"Just kidding, Abraham.."

[@allenhodge7245]

You tried to judge 👨‍⚖️ god your worst mistake

[@marcusanthony488]

Why do u label people as enemies or on the outside on the basis that they merely have a different point of view?

[@junegilone1854]

Mr. Caron says the glGod ofvthe bible is Satan, what do you say.

[@ronaldreagan6756]

Who is Mr. Caron? If you are referring to the guest, Mr. Capon, he doesn't say that. You misheard him.

[@allenhodge7245]

ALPHA AND OMEGA GOD IS NOTHING LIKE YOU WORM 🪱

[@royhiggins7270]

The following is a true story. God told me this story is important for atheists as well as believers to hear...here now is my personal testimony. I was doing my morning ocean swim in shallow water when I was attacked by a shark and I barely made it back to shore. A large part of my thigh was missing and I was losing so much blood...I knew I was a goner and would never be able to make it for help. But then out of nowhere a surfer showed up, he looked exactly like Jesus, the white version. On that day I witnessed one set of foot prints in the sand leading away from where I laid. I called out..."hey Jesus looking dude...are you just going to just leave me here"? And he said.."do you know how much you weigh...hell yeah". And then I died. But don't worry I came back three days later. Proof! How could I have written this if I didn't come back from the dead? The End.

[@cynthiaboyd1710]

Sounds to me like paul doesnt believe that God would actually order genocide Killing is aweful and God comanded no killing

[@cookclan]

Ohhh so you don't take the bible literally. Good to know.

[@JackHammer-e4x]

I feel lost and tired. Im tired of guessing. Im tired of feeling like the walking damned.

[@andrewmattiewalter]

If you love God and are serving him be encouraged!

[@stetsonscott8209]

I pray the Lord renews your strength ... boss😉. I feel like I live in that struggle most days myself, so I don't take it lightly. Sometimes I feel like one of the first things the One like a thief in the night (the bronze One) is gonna' say to me is "kept you waiting huh?" 😅

[@keithmatswimbo7083]

why dnt u visit a pastor or christain counsellor who will help you.sometimes u need someone to talk to to help u settle ur mind.

[@32wfc]

Maybe sometimes it’s better to stop talking or say I don’t know because the attempt at an explanation almost makes things worse 🫠