Two Passages
Samson said to the young servant who was leading him by the hand, “Place my hands against the pillars that hold up the temple. I want to rest against them.” Now the temple was completely filled with people. All the Philistine rulers were there, and there were about 3,000 men and women on the roof who were watching as Samson amused them. Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my two eyes.” Then Samson put his hands on the two centre pillars that held up the temple. Pushing against them with both hands, he prayed, “Let me die with the Philistines.” And the temple crashed down on the Philistine rulers and all the people. So he killed more people when he died than he had during his entire lifetime.
The above is one of:
A. God judging wicked people
B. Samson's final victory
C. A Jewish suicide attack on a Palestinian place of worship
A. God judging wicked people
B. Samson's final victory
C. A Jewish suicide attack on a Palestinian place of worship
So Joshua conquered the whole region—the kings and people of the hill country, the Negev, the western foothills, and the mountain slopes. He completely destroyed everyone in the land, leaving no survivors, just as the Lord, the God of Israel, had commanded, Joshua slaughtered them from Kadesh-barnea to Gaza and from the region around the town of Goshen up to Gibeon. Joshua conquered all these kings and their land in a single campaign, for the Lord, the God of Israel, was fighting for his people.
The above is one of:
A. God judging wicked people
B. Joshua's greatest victory
C. A statement from the prosecution at a War Crimes tribunal for genocide
A. God judging wicked people
B. Joshua's greatest victory
C. A statement from the prosecution at a War Crimes tribunal for genocide
What is God like?
If the above passages are actual events that God purposed, what conclusions would be reasonable to make about what God is like?
Given that this isn't a fully Biblical view of Him, then;
A. Somehow, the obvious conclusions are inappropriate
B. Our less harsh view of God is wrong, he is as described in the conclusions
C. The passages are not intended to be understood as literal, historical fact
Discuss.
- That he holds people culpable, even if they are women and children, who were not responsible
- That he is focussed on temporal life rather than eternity; judgement is in the here and now
- That he judges his 'favourites' with a different standard to other people
- That he lacks self-control, lashing out with disproportionate anger on powerless people
Given that this isn't a fully Biblical view of Him, then;
A. Somehow, the obvious conclusions are inappropriate
B. Our less harsh view of God is wrong, he is as described in the conclusions
C. The passages are not intended to be understood as literal, historical fact
Discuss.