Yet the old testament presents creational moral ideals in genesis 12. My first blog focused on differences between his book and god behaving badly, the last one will look at issues, concerns and questions i. Copans book, but whether or not god is a moral monster does not really concern me. Man is divinely controlled, though he is also a responsible moral agent. And that work is focused on only part of the bible. Scribd is the worlds largest social reading and publishing site. God endorses slavery christianity causes violence paul copan not only answers gods critics, he also shows how to read both the old and new testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving god in both. A moral case for socialism by kai nielsen by josh moon 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, and a cosmic child abuser.
Im really enjoying thom starks critique of paul copans book, is god a moral monster copan writes the standard apologetic that you will hear many christians making who defend the ironage morality of the old testament, like slavery, polygamy and genocide. The slaughter of the canaanites according to william lane craig. He is currently a professor at the palm beach atlantic university and holds the endowed pledger family chair of philosophy and ethics. Indeed, nothing in such a world is morally required of us. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading is god a moral monster making sense of. The slaughter of the canaanites according to william lane.
This is a necessary step, before we can begin to move forward constructively, as a people who hope in god. Paul copan is the nations leading apologist regarding problems with the biblical text, and is god a moral monster. Goodness is evacuated of meaning, moral responsibility is reduced to a matter of obedience to an external authority, and the most high is elevated to a standard that has no moral content or significance in its. Because of israels embeddedness in the ancient near easts harsh, morallyproblematic social milieu, old testament legislation is in. Objective moral values evidence of gods existence an interview by marilyn stewart.
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 gods critics, he also shows how to read both the old and new testaments faithfully, seeing an unchanging, righteous, and loving god in both. However, opans analysis and explanation of gods actions is stellar. Controversies over public safety, prices, and the ability of the industry to develop the new drugs and vaccines that society needs have swirled over the united states, europe, and the developing nations. If there is no god the concept of moral requiredness becomes a holmesless watson. Paul copan writes in such a simple, straightforward way, yet covers enormous issues comprehensively and with reassuring biblical detail and scholarly research. Were posting the full interview, which was featured in lees investigating faith email newsletter here at bible gateway, below. These vocal atheists christopher hitchens, richard dawkins, and sam harris, both in writing and public debate, interpret the biblical god as a. Why paul copan wrote his book 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. 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. A further defense of gods humility published in philosophia christi new series 8 january 2006. 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.
Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god kindle edition by copan, paul. To make sense of life or to make sense of morality, belief in god is not. In other words, for objective moral values to be rationally sound, they require a firm ontological grounding not unlike in the construction of a structurally sound house. New atheists, as paul copan calls them, like richard dawkins, christopher hitchens, sam harris. Hes still the potter, and we are either defiant and unworthy clay, or redeemed and unworthy clay. Now, it is selfevident that if he knows all things beforehand, he either approves of them or does not approve of them. In twenty meaty and wellargued chapters, copan takes on many of the usual objections made against god and the bible.
Jmi recommended resources oklahoma wesleyan university. God has revealed his moral character, only to be dismissed by those who are filled with all unrighteousness. They stand on a foundation one that is strong enough to bear the weight. Additional works include the legacy study bible, the covering. Thus, moral values that govern humans stem from the existence of, and perfect qualities of, our creator, who is an eternally objective reality. It presents several versions of the moral argument for gods existence. Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god.
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. Making sense of the old testament god 1st edition by copan, paul isbn. All that own the being of a god, own that he knows all things beforehand. Sample chapter posted by permission pdf paul copan. Follow free online christian ministry radio broadcasts. 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. He takes on current new atheist biblical critics and powerfully addresses virtually every criticism they have raised.
How do we explain gods command to israel to exterminate the canaanites. A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of most property in common, with actual ownership ascribed to the workers. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. Were posting the full interview, which was featured in lees investigating faith email newsletter here at. It presents several versions of the moral argument for god s existence. Paul copan responds to the new atheist stance that the god of the old testament is a moral monster.
A brief overview todays new atheists are not at all impressed with the moral credentials of the old testament ot god. Stopping at the old testament, writes copan, impoverishes the biblical reader. Paul copan has written a good book that presents helpful resolutions and responses to perplexing old testament ethics questions. 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.
Paul copan addresses moral objections to the old testament, including charges of genocide in relation to the canaanite conquest and what. We might as well say that yahweh isnt a moral monster because, really, when you think. A variety of grounds for such a conception of the relation of religion to morality are explored and shown to be unsatisfactory. Kai nielsen, god and the basis of morality philpapers. In talking about autonomy, democracy, and equality, we have, in effect, already. 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. Making sense of the old testament god grand rapids. 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. Oct 10, 20 im really enjoying thom starks critique of paul copan s book, is god a moral monster copan writes the standard apologetic that you will hear many christians making who defend the ironage morality of the old testament, like slavery, polygamy and genocide.
I agreed with only about half of copans conclusions, but his book was wellwritten, informative, and fun to read. Paul copan has done very well at compiling wellresearched, explanatory arguments against allegations of immorality attributed to the god of the old testament. He is a regular contributor to the awardwinning christian research journal and an articulate communicator on the pressing issues of our day, having spoken in leading churches, conferences, and on college campuses. 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. It takes only seconds to ask certain questions but quite some time to give a reasonable answer. Wright, international director, langham partnership international. This viewpoint is even making inroads into the church. One of the first and foremost of these things is that we ought to obey our god. Buy is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god by paul copan in paperback format at koorong 9780801072758. 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. The moral corporation merck experiences merck and the pharmaceutical industry are headline news today. Is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament.
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. Glory to god though he might be viewed through a glass darkly as a moral monster he rules and reigns and is worthy of all praise. 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. Man is a responsible moral agent, though he is also divinely controlled. I agreed with only about half of copans conclusions, but. But to will that they should be is to decree them jonathan edwardsrelated. 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. In this timely and readable book, apologist paul copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including. 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. 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. Since there is a god, there is a higher moral authority, and therefore there are things we ought to do.
The moral argument for god risks not only morality, but also theology in its attempt to ground value and obligation in god. This is the foundation of gods grand plan in christ. Published in paul copan and william lane craig, eds. Thus, moral values that govern humans stem from the existence of, and perfect qualities of. I agreed with only about half of copans conclusions, but his. All, not some this is not his plan just for some, but for all. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Sep 15, 2017 man is a responsible moral agent, though he is also divinely controlled. Gods plan to protect you from evil, and the creation answer book. In this timely and readable book, apologist paul copan. We cannot talk about what kind of individual exhibits truly good behavior unless we have language that can adequately explain goodness itself. This is the revealed antinomy in terms of which we have to do our thinking about evangelism.
It brings together important material that is otherwise scattered and demonstrates how this material responds to a line of moral criticism that has, by and large, been neglected by christian philosophers until now. In this timely and readable book, entitled is god a moral monsterapologist paul copan takes on some of the most vexing accusations of our time, including. The moral argument offers a wideranging defense of the necessary connection between god and objective moral values, moral duties, proper function, and human rights. Paul copan, is god a moral monster making sense of the old testament god. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders.
Christian radio free online christian ministry radio. Jan 02, 2020 this single question, is god a moral monster. Anyone familiar with the writings of the new atheists is aware of their penchant for taking potshots at old testament ethics. Philosopher paul copan has written a number of earlier pieces on such topics, but here offers a nice booklength rebuttal to the various charges being made. Gods sovereignty is a reality, and mans responsibility is a reality too.