Shadowy Man

I dunno... I'm an atheist. According to the bible, he tested Abraham. And Job, too. So at least there is precedent for testing his people. I'm just trying to give the benefit of the doubt that the interpretation that God "forgot" isn't quite right.

elevator

This is of course part of the famous contradiction. In Numbers 23:19 God says: "God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?". Either Numbers 23:19 is lying or Exodus 32:14 is lying - unless, of course, there is an interpretation not available to mere mortal non-believers.

Half-Life

Well, in another thread a believer pointed out to me that we no longer have to follow the OT laws because Jesus changed the laws. I have no clue why the OT is still included in the Bible since its pointless now because of Jesus, but hey, that's a believer for ya! :Cheeky:

Leelee

Exactly. I'm discussing this contradiction right now at Theologyweb. Some will try to get out of the contradiction by saying that Numbers 23:19 was uttered by the false prophet named Balaam so it isn't relevant. However, the prophet Samuel said the same thing in 1 Samuel 15:29. There are also many other examples of God changing his mind--for example, Isaiah 38:1-5 and the book of Jonah.

remez

Nice Job

elevator

Some of the old testament laws may have been repealed by the new testament as some believers assert, although, to me, it sounds more like an attempt to explain away the numerous contradictions and moral obscurities within the old testament than anything. Even so it is still the same God? As far as I know the old testament God wasn't "repealed" and replaced by a more evolved deity; one that is newer, better, more honest, and more moral? If God said stupid things in the old testament, it doesn't exactly improve his reputation in the new testament.

Shadowy Man

Which is inconsistent with so many Christians wanting to put the Ten Commandments up everywhere. They seem to want to have it both ways.

Half-Life

Well, the Gnostics believe that the God of the OT was actually Satan and Jesus was the "true loving God" who came to save us from Satan.

But, that is REALLY reaching and trying desperately to hang onto a story that makes no sense.

I mean, if you read the OT, God definitely commits insane and evil acts so you could mistake him for Satan. But, on the other hand, Satan is also described in the OT as a seperate being so I don't know how Gnostics justify it.

Half-Life

Also notice how the first commandment is "I am the lord your god who brought you of slavery. Worship no gods except me."

but Christians take out the slavery part since it was obviously meant for the people in the old times and they make the commandment "Worship no gods but me."

Also, the last commandment says stuff like "do not covet your neighbor's goods, oxen etc etc etc" Christians take out oxen and say "thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's goods" cause you know, who still has oxen in their backyards anymore?

slimy, slimy, slimy stuff, isn't it?

Amaleq13

The fact that he changed his mind (ie "relented") suggests otherwise.

If God changed his behavior subsequently, yes. It denies the second "fact".