A loving God or a malevolent demiurge?

The analysis presents a critical view of Yahweh, depicting this deity as jealous, capricious, and morally flawed, leading to a distinction between the God of the Hebrew Bible and a true divine entity represented by Christ. Marcion, a significant figure in early Christian thought, proposed that Yahweh, responsible for creation, should not be seen as a true God but rather as a malevolent demiurge. This perspective aligns with Marcion's interpretation of Paul’s letters, which depict Yahweh as the 'cosmocrater' - the ruler of this world - often raising questions about the nature of divine authority. Critics accused Marcion of polytheism for suggesting that Yahweh is not a god in the traditional sense. Marcion's interpretation portrays Christ as an underminer of Yahweh's authority, indicating a dualistic view that separates the moral shortcomings of the creator from the redemptive nature of Christ. This understanding resonates with Gnostic beliefs in contrasting Yahweh with the true divine realm. The influence of Marcionism persisted into the mid-400s CE, indicating a notable presence in early Christianity and prompting ongoing theological discussions about the nature of divine beings.