Stopping at the old testament, writes copan, impoverishes the biblical reader. In the tradition of his popular is god a moral monster. Wright, international director, langham partnership international. For example, he defends the canaanite genocide by arguing that passages such as deuteronomy. Apologists paul copan and matt flanagan fail to offer fresh insights on. A recent string of popularlevel books written by the new atheists have leveled the accusation that the god of the old testament is nothing but a bully, a murderer. Therefore, he could have made the entire human race loving and compassionate. Hes still the potter, and we are either defiant and unworthy clay, or redeemed and unworthy clay.
Published in paul copan and william lane craig, eds. Making sense of the old testament god ebook written by paul copan. This is a chapter from the book is god a moral monster. Download is god a moral monster book pdf ebook pdf or read online books in pdf, epub. Much has been written in recent years on the moral problems with the depiction of god in the old testament. Now, it is selfevident that if he knows all things beforehand, he either approves of them or does not approve of them. Download is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god and read is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god online books in format pdf. Download pdf is god a moral monster ebook free online. Previously i discussed differences between copan s book and mine gbb and things i appreciated or found helpful about his book. In addition to his authorship, copan is also an editor of 15 philosophical and apologetics resources including the apologetics study bible and the routledge companion to philosophy of religion.
Copan is also the author of the book, is god a moral monster. God condemns pride and praises humility, but the charge is that he himself seems to exhibit pride to an outrageous degree. God is arrogant and jealous god punishes people too harshly god is guilty of ethnic cleansing god oppresses women god endorses slavery christianity causes violence. Read download is god a moral monster pdf pdf download. I agreed with only about half of copans conclusions, but his book was wellwritten, informative, and fun to read. These are some of the issues raised by lee strobel in a recent interview with paul copan about copan s recent book is god a moral monster. Making sense of the old testament god by paul copan available from rakuten kobo. Pdf is god a moral monster download full pdf book download. Is god a moral monster written by paul copan and has been published by baker books this book supported file pdf, txt, epub, kindle and other format this book has been release on 20110101 with religion categories. Instead, he fashions barbarians that would cause ghengis khan to turn bright crimson with embarrassment. Part 2 of copan s book asks whether god is a gracious master or moral monster.
Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read is god a moral monster. Abrahams obedience is intended to serve as a model for israel and to inspire israels obedience and solidify their relationship with fear of god. The book begins with the question of whether or not religion, in general, is really a unique source of moral failure. I had read a lot on this subject and did not expect to find anything new, but i was surprised to find exactly that. Paul copan phd, marquette university is the pledger family chair of philosophy and ethics at palm beach atlantic university in florida.
Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. Making sense of the old testament god 1st edition by copan, paul isbn. Paul copan, is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. Jan 21, 2015 having stripped the atheist off all philosophical authority to proclaim god a moral monster, copan presents the new testament gospel of jesus as the culmination of the story of redemption and faithfulness that the old testament only begins to tell. Even christians have a hard time stomaching such a thought, and many avoid. My first blog focused on differences between his book and god behaving badly, the last one will look at issues, concerns and questions i have about the book, this one will discuss its strengths. I agreed with only about half of copans conclusions, but his. All that own the being of a god, own that he knows all things beforehand. However, opans analysis and explanation of gods actions is stellar. Pdf is god a moral monster making sense of the old. Paul copan responds to the new atheist stance that the god of the old testament is a moral monster. Paul copan has written a good book that presents helpful resolutions and responses to perplexing old testament ethics questions. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. One of the challenges that came up in recent years was after september 11 when a lot of writings came out basically reproaching religion for being the cause of all sorts of evils like september 11.
New atheists, as paul copan calls them, like richard dawkins, christopher hitchens, sam harris. This is a necessary step, before we can begin to move forward constructively, as a people who hope in god. The new atheists dawkins, dennett, harris, hitchens level arguments against old testament morality as primitive and barbaric, presumably undercutting belief in the biblical god yahweh. We might as well say that yahweh isnt a moral monster because, really, when. Having stripped the atheist off all philosophical authority to proclaim god a moral monster, copan presents the new testament gospel of jesus as the culmination of the story of redemption and faithfulness that the old testament only begins to tell.
Download pdf is god a moral monster free online new. Paul copan writes in such a simple, straightforward way, yet covers enormous issues comprehensively and with reassuring biblical detail and scholarly research. Check out other translated books in french, spanish languages. And that work is focused on only part of the bible. There is no one better than copan when it comes to these questions. Even christians have a hard time stomaching such a thought, and many avoid reading those difficult old testament passages that make us squeamish. Not only that but he also tackles some of the crazy old testament laws that seem really wacky such as forbidding practices like tattoos, eating shellfish, and wearing mixed clothing. But to will that they should be is to decree them jonathan edwardsrelated. Discovering natural theology in the unlikeliest places.
In fact, god himself destroyed the city of sodom and gomorrah and brought judgment through a flood. Paul copan apologetics collection 6 volumes creation out of nothing, how do you know youre not wrong, is god a moral monster. Jesus himself, a moral example whom many regard as the paradigm of virtue, is in agreement with the judgment of god on sodom and gomorrah and warns chorazin, bethsaida, and capernaum, as well as tyre and sidon. It is clear that copan, a christian believer, thinks that charges against the moral consistency, objectivity, and impartiality of the judeochristian god must be answered. Or as paul copan phrases the question in the title of his recent book, is god a moral monster. Download pdf is god a moral monster book pdf free online. Oct 04, 2011 these are some of the issues raised by lee strobel in a recent interview with paul copan about copans recent book is god a moral monster. John barton, ethics and the old testament harrisburg, pennsylvania. A common objection to belief in the god of the bible is that a good, kind, and loving deity would never command the wholesale slaughter of nations. Author bio paul copan phd, marquette university is the pledger family chair of philosophy and ethics at palm beach atlantic university in florida. Jan 01, 2011 paul copan writes in such a simple, straightforward way, yet covers enormous issues comprehensively and with reassuring biblical detail and scholarly research. Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament. Copan no doubt believes that god created humanity, and could have done so in any way he so chose. In this timely and readable book, apologist paul copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including.
Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. Together they help the christian and nonbeliever alike understand the biblical, theological, philosophical, and ethical implications of old testament warfare passages. He is currently a professor at the palm beach atlantic university and holds the endowed pledger family chair of philosophy and ethics. He is the author of several popular apologetics books, including is god a moral monster. Understanding god s actions in the old testament paul copan, author of is god a moral monster, brings us his understanding of this topic coming from years of studying the relavant biblical passages. Is god a moral monster download ebook pdf, epub, tuebl, mobi. Because of israels embeddedness in the ancient near easts harsh, morallyproblematic social milieu, old testament legislation is in. Buy is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god 1st edition by copan, paul isbn. When a person rejects the god of the bible, he often chooses to label him as immoral. Did god really command genocide coming to terms with the. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Yet the old testament presents creational moral ideals in genesis 12. Making sense of the old testament god, is the best apologia i have read for the disturbing actions and characteristics of the god of the bible. Making sense of the old testament god grand rapids. Why paul copan wrote his book is god a moral monster. He submitted to gods standards of moral right and wrong. God the father and the millennial kingdom will merge into the universal kingdom or what is often. A brief overview todays new atheists are not at all impressed with the moral credentials of the old testament ot god. Instead, we quickly jump to the enemyloving, forgiving jesus of the new testament. Copans book, but whether or not god is a moral monster does not really concern me. Humility involves an appropriate acknowledgment and realistic assessment of oneself. God is arrogant and jealous god punishes people too harshly god is guilty of ethnic cleansing god oppresses women god endorses slavery christianity causes violence and more copan not only answers god s critics, he also.
Matthew flannagan phd, university of otago is a researcher and a teaching pastor at takanini community church in. God is arrogant and jealous god punishes people too harshly god is guilty of ethnic cleansing god oppresses women god endorses slavery christianity causes violence and more copan not only answers god s critics, he also shows how to read both the old and new testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving god in both. Paul copan is a professor of philosophy and ethics at the palm beach atlantic university. The new atheists and old testament ethics paul copan philosophy and ethics palm beach atlantic university palm beach, florida the new atheists and the old testament. May 18, 2017 paul copan has done very well at compiling wellresearched, explanatory arguments against allegations of immorality attributed to the god of the old testament. In the eyes of some, it presents god as fearinspiring, violent and vengeful a sharp contrast to the love and. Ideally, gods moral character and his activity in israels history give the nation a necessary ethical framework to shape its way of life. These vocal atheists christopher hitchens, richard dawkins, and sam harris, both in writing and public debate, interpret the biblical god as a. Paul copan march 26, 2012 by guest author the following talk was given at boston college law school on march 19th, 2012, through a partnership between the christian legal society and telos ministries. The way, the truth, the life published on 201809t00. Pdf download is god a moral monster free ebooks pdf. Were posting the full interview, which was featured in lees investigating faith email newsletter here at. Paul copan has done an outstanding job of explaining some of the most confusing and puzzling issues that emerge from the pages of the old testament.
Dec, 2015 paul copans book, is god a moral monster. Copan has also contributed nearly 100 articles in christian and philosophical publications. We can also recognize the virtue of kindness or selflessness, the obligation to treat others as we would want to be treated, and the moral difference between mother teresa and josef stalin. Paul copan addresses moral objections to the old testament, including charges of genocide in relation to the canaanite conquest and what the bible has to say about slavery. Were posting the full interview, which was featured in lees investigating faith email newsletter here at bible gateway, below. Copan s book, but whether or not god is a moral monster does not really concern me. Jan 02, 2020 this single question, is god a moral monster. As you know, words mean things, and we should get clear on definitions rather than toss around slippery or misleading terms. He engages with a myriad of serious philosophical and moral challenges to the portrayal of god in the old testament, and he answers these challenges adroitly with clear and easy.
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