In this podcast, Jacob and Cam discuss whether God is a moral monster and how to understand troubling passages in the Bible. They explore objections to God's actions in the Old Testament, tackle skepticism and humility in understanding God's moral standards, and delve into evangelism, redemption, and apologetics.
God's moral character questioned due to Old Testament actions, highlighting the Monster God objection.
Importance of humility in understanding divine justice, considering human limitations and cultural influences.
Deep dives
Understanding the Monster God Objection
The Monster God objection addresses the perceived moral outrages in the Old Testament, where critics find fault with God's actions. Objectors point to instances like Noah's flood and Sodom and Gomorrah where God's judgment includes innocent lives. The objection challenges the moral character of a God who would command such actions.
Challenging Human Moral Judgments
The discussion delves into the complexities of human moral judgments, highlighting the role of individual perceptions shaped by cultural influences. The perspective emphasizes the need for humility when assessing God's actions and acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in comprehending divine justice.
Epistemic Distance and God's Authority
Epistemic distance between humans and God is crucial in understanding divine judgments. The analogy of a father needing to make difficult decisions to protect his child illustrates the concept. It emphasizes that God, as the ultimate judge, acts within His moral authority to uphold justice.
Centrality of the Gospel in Addressing Objections
Amidst theological debates, the focus remains on sharing the core message of the gospel. The priority lies in conveying redemption and salvation offered through faith, rather than debating theological intricacies. Addressing objections serves as a starting point for deeper conversations about faith and moral understanding.
Jacob and Cam continue the new series -- When Norwegians Ask -- where they review some of the questions they've been asked and discussions they've had while evangelizing and discussing faith with people in Norway. In this episode they examine whether or not God is a moral monster and how we should understand passages in the Bible that trouble our moral instincts.