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Different God in the New and the Old Testament?

 

 

They are So Different!

 

I believe most people who have read the whole Bible would have a question in their mind: Why is the Old Testament God so different from the One Jesus talks about in the New Testament?

 

The Old Testament God seems to have a fiery temper, and He was quick to judge anyone who has violated His command. On the other hand, the Father that Jesus talks about is loving and kind, and He is always ready to forgive our trespasses. 

 

Also, the Bible says “No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is Himself God and is at the Father’s side, has made Him known.” (John 1:16). If no one has seen God, then how about Moses? Didn’t “Moses speak to the Lord face to face, as a man speaks unto his friend” (Exodus 33:11)? Hasn’t Moses seen God? And how about Ezekiel, Isaiah, and other prophets who had seen the image and visions of Yahweh?

 

A logical and highly possible conclusion that we can draw from the above is, the Old Testament God is NOT the same as the New Testament!

 

 

Other Inconsistencies

 

If we pay closer attention, it is not difficult to find plenty of examples on how the Old Testament God is different from the New Testament.

 

Jesus tells us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). However, Yahweh in the Old Testament seems to change all the time. In one moment, He is a loving God who fights for Israel, but in another moment, He turns around to strike them fiercely through their enemies and with all sorts of plagues. Jesus who is the image of the Father, on the other hand, never turned around to destroy anyone who left Him, betrayed Him, denied Him, or did other nasty things to hurt Him.

 

The Bible also tells us that “God is light: in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). However, we can see that Yahweh is often associated with darkness (1 Kings 8:12), and He even used evil spirits to work for Him (1 Samuel 16:14) 

 

 

Who is Yahweh?

 

If our speculation is correct that the God of the Old Testament is NOT the One in the New Testament, then who is Yahweh (YHWH / Jehovah)? And to whom everyone was demanded to worship in the Old Testament?

 

Actually the name “Yahweh” never appeared in the Seven Day Creation in Genesis, nor did this name appear again in the New Testament. Since Jesus tells us that God is the Alpha and the Omega (the beginning and the end), and that He and His Father were already present before the world existed, could it be possible that the world was NOT created by Yahweh, but by Jesus and His Father? And could Yahweh be just someone who has been given authority to rule over the world for a period of time, much like a CEO who has been given authority to manage a business for the owner?

 

And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I (Jesus) had with You (Father) before the world existed. ~ John 17:5

 

 

Did Yahweh Do a Good Job in Managing this World?

 

If Yahweh had really been the “CEO" of this world, we must admit that He did not do a very good job! There is so much pain and sufferings in this Fallen World! Yahweh’s Chosen Nation Israel was divided, and His Chosen People were taken captives by other nations. Yahweh was not even able to protect His own temple from being demolished in 70 AD.

 

 

So, Where is Yahweh now?

 

I know this can be controversial or even offensive, but I believe it is reasonable to speculate that when Jesus said “Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out” (John 12:31), the one Jesus referred to was this deity. Truly, who had been the ruler of this world until the time of Jesus? 

 

Moreover, the Bible tells us that Jesus is going to rule in the New World with His saints, but the Bible never mentions that there would be any other ruler!

 

And the Kingdom and the dominion and the greatness of the Kingdoms under the whole Heaven shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; His Kingdom shall be an everlasting Kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him. ~ Daniel 7:27

 

Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ~ Revelation 20:4

 

 

What Do You Think, Readers?

 

As mentioned, we know this topic is controversial, and we surely do not claim to be 100% correct. Since our purpose in Christian Thinks is to encourage Christians to think rather than just follow other people’s opinions, please feel free to write to us if there is any point that you would like to raise or discuss. We would be happy to hear from you!

 

 

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