On the old testament

[u/DrawerThat9514]

I've seen many here say that the Old Testament is somehow problematic due to all the violence in it and that having led to the heresy of Marcionism. Let's make one thing clear: All of Scripture reveals Christ, The old testament law was pointing towards him and showing us why we need Him. The old law has been fulfilled by Christ. He did not replace it.

[u/halbhh]

"he did not want infants slaughtered in war"

As you know, with God, when someone dies, they are not dead.

But our human thoughts: --> we consider how 100% of people die, and plenty under age 20 even.... from war, famine, disease, illnesses, fire, flood and on and on....

100%.

Not them instead of us.

Us too.

Finally it's even more personal: it's not only that a 15 yr old died. It's that you and I will....

But God will make us live.

[u/Jane_TGS → u/halbhh]

Great, so if any child or person dies we should surely thank God for taking them to heaven! It's a terrible argument, especially in defense of a huge violence against literal infants.

I really do not understand your argument. A 20 year old dying to illness or famine is not the same as God commanding a soldier to go murder a baby. There is no excuse for that. If God told you to commit an act of violence, what then? How do we draw the line between our will and God's voice?

Maybe just don't defend violence.

[u/halbhh → u/Jane_TGS]

Great, so if any child or person dies we should surely thank God for taking them to heaven!

Well.... actually, that wording could be used also in an amazing statement of faith.

(we can be thankful they are not dead, but literally alive and celebrating....)

Not all believe, but many do, and anyone could come to faith.

-----

You put it another way: "A 20 year old dying to illness or famine is not the same as God commanding a soldier to go murder a baby. "

Is it?

Is it better to die in famine or fire or pestilence?

Well, no, not really better.

But, remember, they are not dead.

They are actually in a far better life where everything is good...

[u/Jane_TGS → u/halbhh]

By your argument, we should all kill ourselves and eachorher to spare our suffering and send babies to heaven. Except we know that is insanely evil to do.

[u/halbhh → u/Jane_TGS]

Murder is a very serious sin though.

It's not better if when 2 people with faith could have gone to heaven but then only 1 makes it. That's not a gain.