Fearlessly Courageous
Desk of Dennis Piller
2 24 2025
The OT and NT. 2 different Gods?
How often have we heard the God of the Old Testament was harsh and even cruel, but He is a God of love and forgiveness in the New Testament? It is true that the perception of God differs significantly between the Old and New Testaments, but this contrast often arises from misunderstandings of the same divine nature. While the two Testaments emphasize different aspects of God’s nature and His dealings with humanity, it’s important to remember that the God of the Old Testament
is the same as the God of the New Testament.
God in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, God’s character is often portrayed through His dealings with the Israelites. While He is presented as powerful and righteous, His interactions reflect both judgment and mercy. For example, God’s covenant with the Israelites, starting with Abraham, emphasizes His exclusive relationship with them. He guides them, gives them laws, and at times, punishes them for disobedience. However, God also demonstrates mercy and long-suffering, especially toward His chosen people.
Exodus 20:6 states, “but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments,” highlighting His mercy despite His righteous judgments.
Exodus 34:5-7 further emphasizes His nature: “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate
and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin.”
God shows compassion to Israel, even in the face of their unfaithfulness.
Throughout the Old Testament, God’s actions often focus on the welfare of Israel, and while He does punish sin, He remains patient and desires reconciliation. This is evident in stories like Jonah’s, where God shows mercy to the Ninevites (Jonah 3:10). While there is certainly wrath and justice (e.g., the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19.
God is also merciful and gives people opportunities for repentance.
God in the New Testament
The New Testament, however, brings a shift in how God is revealed to the world. Through the life and teachings of Jesus, God’s character is presented as even more personal and relational. Jesus proclaims a message of forgiveness, salvation, and love, often calling His followers to a higher standard of love and righteousness. He teaches that righteousness is not attained by human effort alone but by faith in Him.
While the God of the Old Testament is seen as focusing on the nation of Israel, in the New Testament, God’s love extends to all people. This is especially seen in Jesus’ interactions with Gentiles and His command to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The boundaries are expanded to include all humanity in God’s redemptive plan. For instance, in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus teaches that love for one’s neighbor transcends national or religious boundaries, challenging the exclusive covenant of Israel in favor of a universal love.
Judgment and Mercy in Both Testaments
Despite the differences in tone, both Testaments emphasize God’s justice and mercy. The Old Testament contains many passages about God’s justice, such as in Isaiah 13:9, where God promises judgment on Babylon, or Ezekiel 7:8-9, which talks about God’s anger. However, God also promises restoration and a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31), and throughout Israel’s history, He continually offers mercy to those who repent.
In the New Testament, Jesus also speaks of judgment, particularly regarding the consequences of sin. He warns in Matthew 25:41-46 of eternal separation from God for those who fail to act in love and compassion. The parables He shares often contain themes of judgment, such as the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), where the unfaithful servant is cast into darkness. Revelation, the last book of the Bible, emphasizes God’s ultimate judgment, portraying Jesus not only as the Lamb of God who brings salvation but also as the one who will execute God’s wrath.
For example, Matthew 7:21-23 reveals Jesus as a righteous judge, declaring that not all who claim to follow Him will be saved, but those who do the will of God. Similarly, in Revelation 19:11-21, Christ returns as a conquering king, bringing judgment and victory.
The Continuity of God’s Character
Although there are different emphases in the Old and New Testaments, the character of God remains consistent. Both Testaments reveal a God who is just, merciful, and full of love. The apparent contrast between the Old and New Testaments arises not from a difference in the nature of God, but from the different ways in which He engages with humanity at various points in history.
Jesus, as God incarnate, affirms the God of the Old Testament. In Matthew 5:17, He says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Jesus does not present a different God; He fulfills the promises made in the Old Testament and brings them to their ultimate expression. He embodies God’s love and justice, offering Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity.
A Call to Love
One key similarity between the Old and New Testaments is the central call to love. In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Shema commands Israel to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Leviticus 19:18 teaches, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” In the New Testament, Jesus reiterates this commandment, stating that loving God and loving others are the two greatest commandments (Matthew 22:37-40).
Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) and throughout His ministry emphasize that love for God and neighbor is foundational to the kingdom of God. This call to love is not a departure from the Old Testament, but a deeper fulfillment of the command to love. Jesus extends the scope of this love, calling His followers to love their enemies (Matthew 5:44) and to live lives of self-sacrifice (John 15:13).
Conclusion
Ultimately, the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament are one and the same. Both Testaments reveal a God who is just, merciful, loving, and full of grace.
The apparent differences between the two are not contradictions but reflect
the unfolding of God’s plan for humanity through history.
From the Old Testament’s focus on covenant and law to the New Testament’s
revelation of salvation through Christ, God’s character remains unchanging.
Jesus, as the fulfillment of the law and the prophets, demonstrates the perfect balance of love and justice, providing the ultimate model for how God interacts with humanity.
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Excerpts taken from a post by Ryan_Alving and other scripture research.
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