A Christian Response to Richard Dawkins God Delusion… How could a loving God command the deaths of entire people groups, including women and children, in the Old Testament?
“For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!” – Ezekiel 18:32
I know this could be the most difficult topic of the Bible. Richard Dawkins’ being angry with God over this act is warranted if it was senseless violence. Frankly, I wouldn’t serve him either if I could not see ANY justification. But placed in a hypothetical situation of my my own son (whom I love) killing my own grandchildren (whom I love), is now raping and killing my own daughter (whom I love), and is intending to do the same with my other children… I begin to understand the dilemma God was facing.
Would love for my daughter warrant my use of lethal-force in order to protect her? Would it be love to stand-by and do nothing? If my son killed my grandchildren and now was killing my other children, would it be just to kill him in order to protect my child and stop his spree?
If we can answer yes to these questions, then we can begin to understand the difficulty of God’s decision.
“For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” – Lamentations 3:33
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, NOT wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9 (emphasis added)
“…God our Savior, who desires ALL men to be SAVED and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” – 2 Tim 2:3-4 (emphasis added)
