Dare to Read: The Scriptures Unveil the True Nature of Divinity

A critical analysis of the Hebrew Bible reveals a dichotomy between the deity depicted within it and the moral teachings of Jesus. Marcion of Pontus exemplified this by reading the Hebrew scriptures without the traditional interpretative frameworks, leading him to conclude that the deity presented is not morally good, and potentially malevolent. According to Greek philosophical views, the essence of divinity is tied to goodness; thus, a deity lacking in goodness cannot be regarded as divine. Marcion articulated this divide by developing his text, the Antithesis, where he contrasted the actions and moral directives of the Hebrew Bible God with those of Jesus. For instance, while the Hebrew Bible God instructs the Israelites to pillage Egypt, Jesus advocates for generosity and poverty. This stark moral opposition suggests that if one entity embodies goodness, then the other must not only be distinct but also define a fundamental ethical divergence, positing the existence of two separate deities: one benevolent and the other malevolent.