Bible Q&A: Two testaments, one God

Our Bible Q&A series explores the questions you’ve asked us about the Bible.

This article represents the author’s personal view. It accords with Bible Society’s values, but is not intended to express our position as an organisation.

Answer:

The equation: Old Testament = wrath; New Testament = love, is not as straightforward as some might think. ‘The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love’ is in the Old Testament; ‘our God is a consuming fire’ is in the New.

Several years ago, Bible Society carried out a survey on how Christians engage with the Scriptures. Among other things, we wanted to find out how often people read the Old Testament. The research revealed that one in two were giving it a wide berth. The issue of violence was a particular turnoff.

As early as the 2nd century, a member of the church in Rome was having similar issues. Marcion of Sinope came to the conclusion that the God of the Old Testament couldn’t be the one whom Jesus had proclaimed and represented. Marcion ended up being expelled for his views.

He held onto his beliefs, however, and even managed to found churches of his own; evidently, his dismissal of the Old Testament resonated with a number of folk.

In the end, Marcion’s ideas didn’t last and Christianity fully embraced the Old Testament. And yet, did he have a point? Are the teachings of Jesus compatible with the character and actions of God in the Hebrew Bible?

One of the ancient Church Fathers who crossed swords with Marcion was Tertullian. He argued that the one who had sent Jesus was none other than the God of the Old Testament, and that the Apostle Paul had firmly believed in the God of Judaism.

And Jesus? The rule of God – that is, the Old Testament God – was at the heart of his message. He taught grace and deliverance as well as warning those who resisted God at their own peril. Jesus’ ministry is set in a context of opposing forces: God versus Satan; angels versus demons; weak and powerful; self-righteous and poor in spirit; disciples and enemies. It was all part of a cosmic conflict coming to a head as God set out to establish his unchallenged rule on earth.

In other words, the tension we find between different parts of the Bible exists within the very message of Jesus, and indeed the New Testament as a whole, which is steeped in Old Testament theology: only in the context of God’s coming judgement does the message of grace make sense, and the offer to turn to him is always there.