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Book Review : Is God a Moral Monster?

/ Steven Ruff / Leave a comment

moralmonsterIn his book, The God Delusion, outspoken atheist Richard Dawkins, writes:

“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction; jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully”.

Others, like Dawkins, claim that the God of the Old Testament is unfair, jealous, and narcissistic. As a result, they refuse to accept, or are at least unwilling to consider, the reality of a loving God. Some have difficulty with the thought of a Creator desiring to be involved with His created. Others may have difficulty believing in and praying to a God they cannot see. In his new book, “Is God a Moral Monster; Making Sense of the Old Testament God” Paul Copan takes on the challenges put forward by many God-deniers and skeptics. Copan begins by highlighting what is called “New Atheism”. Although atheism has been around for centuries, it has often been passive and not really having a prominent voice. New Atheism is more aggressive, vocal, and in a sense, evangelistic with some proponents actually proselytizing. Throughout his book, Copan regularly refers to the four major voices of New Atheism today: Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchins. It was Dawkins who referred to God as a “moral monster”. Copan tackles the major issues these men have with the God of the Old Testament by turning their own arguments back on them.

Copan’s book is written in four parts. In Part One, Neo-Atheism, Copan responds to the objections of the New Atheists by quoting their own words and using scripture to refute the objections. In Part Two, Copan asks the question, “Is God a Gracious Master or a Moral Monster?” Copan begins to address such issues as the jealousy of God, allegations of “child abuse”, God’s rage, the fallacy of child sacrifices, and the true reason for sacrifices. In Part Three, Life in the Ancient Near East and Israel, he paints a clear picture of what life was like in the days that the Bible was written. Copan shows how the customs of ancient Israel and surrounding nations affect our reading of the Bible. It is here that he author introduces the reader to many of the codified laws of other Near East countries. Put into its proper historical context, Copan demonstrates how the Mosaic Law in fact was an improvement over the laws of that day. This improvement resulted in a regulated slavery, an increase in women’s rights, and less severe criminal punishments. Copan deals with the principle of “an eye for an eye” here beautifully. Lastly, Copan does not shy away from the difficult passages. Copan deals with the New Atheists claims that God is partial in His judgment, a woman hater, a supporter of polygamy, an endorser of slavery, and an ethnic cleanser. He calls into question the New Atheists support of what Copan calls the “is-ought” argument. They believe that just because a law is in narration it is an automatic endorsement by God. He points out that many of the individual laws are what he calls “case law”. The laws that begin with such language as “if a man…” or “if two men…” are examples of this case law. The laws allow for a worst-case scenario in the event such action took place instead of granting license to commit such an act. He also points out the instances where the law had a limited application. These laws, as Copan suggests, were never to be universally binding on all people (only Israel) and were not be permanent. In part Four, Sharpening the Moral Focus, he brings the focus to the New Testament and shows how goodness and morality are the results of the results of a loving and law-giving God.

To prove his case, Copan utilizes certain tools with precision. First, Copan uses the Bible itself to place New Atheists arguments in their proper context. He also uses the Hebrew language masterfully to pull the reader back to the time of the Bible’s writing. Copan also uses their words as a framework for his defense. He also highlights the customs of other Near East nations and their laws to show where the Mosaic Law is situated, again in its proper context. Copan, in a very convincing manner, places the Old Testament law where it needs to be. He says that the law given to the Israelites falls within what he calls “the redemptive movement of scripture”. This means that the Bible, which is God’s story, from the very beginning is moving from a perfect creation that, through sin and disobedience, fell and needed a redeemer. These laws constitute the middle of the story and are not the ideal but were necessary to move God’s people toward their Savior.

“Is God a Moral Monster” is a great work. It is well researched and not an over-scholarly work. As an apologetics work, it is a home run. For the believer, it reinforces God’s ultimate plan of redemption. For the skeptic or searcher, it lays out an argument for a loving and covenant keeping God in a most convincing way. I have a better appreciation and love for God as a result of studying this work. This book soundly burns the atheist’s straw man argument for a petty, jealous, woman-hating, and xenophobic God to the ground.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Books as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

FIFS : 8.30.13

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1. Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at that time I had not hung the doors in the gates),  2.that Sanballat and Geshem sent to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. 3. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?” Neh 6:1-3

Nehemiah had been given a grand vision by God to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. He had the help and support of the king and the people of Israel were excited and willing to see the work through. However, anytime there is a movement of God among His people and the they begin to capture the vision of God and work, there will be opposition of some sort. In Nehemiah’s case, Sanballat and Tobiah represented this opposition. These two men were determined to do all they could to stop, or at least hinder, God’s work. As the church moves forward and begins to carry out its mission and purpose, we can expect Sanballats and Tobiahs along the way. Nehemiah’s opposition was from the outside. Those looking in on Nehemiah and the Israelites didn’t understand  why the rebuilding of that wall was so important. People are naturally opposed to what they don’t understand, don’t believe in, or can’t see a need for. As church leaders we must ensure those outside the body, those to whom we direct ministry, have an understanding of what we are doing, what we are about, and how important the  message we share is.

When faced with opposition, Nehemiah’s response is vital to ensuring success. He said in v.3, ”So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”  Good question. Once we have set our faces to God’s plan, we must refuse to come down off the wall. We must refuse to be sidetracked by any distraction. Our service for the Lord is, as Nehemiah stated, “a great work”.  Too much is at stake to listen to the voice of opposition.

Worth Repeating : Martin Luther King, Jr.

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“There was a time when the church was very powerful–in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people in power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians for being “disturbers of the peace” and “outside agitators.”‘ But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were “a colony of heaven,” called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be “astronomically intimidated.” By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church’s silent–and often even vocal–sanction of things as they are.

But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today’s church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.”

Martin Luther King, Jr. Letter from a Birmingham Jail, April 16th, 1963

Sacrificing Integrity on the Altar of Success

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I really enjoy the game of baseball. A good day for me is to be able to relax and watch a baseball game. An even better day for me is to watch my son play baseball. The nuances and intricacies of the game are what make it appealing to me. It is truly a thinking man’s game. While entirely a team sport, the individual element cannot be ignored. Some positions demand and receive more attention than others. At the crack of the bat, nine players must individually react correctly so that he team achieves its purpose. A manager may position a player or call for certain sequence of pitches based on how an individual players tends to hit. One player can make a difference, good or bad.

There is one season of baseball that I find simply fascinating. What is that season? The Little League World Series. There is something so intriguing, something so refreshing, something so innocent about 11-13 year olds demonstrating a love for the game of baseball that that gone virtually unchanged since its beginning. There are so many positives to be found in the Little League World Series. The principle of teamwork is put on display. Sportsmanship takes center stage. Communities are brought together and strengthened through the play of these kids. There is also a cross-cultural element to the games. The Little League World is made up of teams from both the United States and countries around the world. These games give each team an opportunity to learn about the culture and language of the others by eating, playing, and spending down time together while in Williamsport. For some, this may be the only time they ever meet someone from a different country. Perhaps the greatest positive of the Little League World Series can be easily overlooked. If you look closely on the left sleeve of the player’s uniform, there is a small yellow uniform patch that reads, simply, “I Won’t Cheat”. The genesis of this patch is the I Won’t Cheat Foundation formed by former Atlanta Brave Dale Murphy. The foundation exists to rid the sports world of illegal drugs, while challenging kids to resist the temptation to cheat in sports, school, and in life. This emphasis was embraced by Little League World in the summer of 2008.

Why is this so important? It seems that every day some professional athlete is accused of or confesses to the use of what are known as PED (Performance Enhancing Drugs), most simply known as steroids. Steroids chemically altar the body and produces muscle mass, which, in return, makes the individual stronger. This “artificial strength” gives the athlete a physical edge over their fellow athletes who choose not to cheat. Steroids are currently a prime-time scandal in big league baseball. Who could forget the summer of 1998 when Sammy Sosa and Mark McGuire battled for the single-season homerun record held by Roger Maris? Who could forget that twelve years later Mark McGuire would admit to cheating? Who could forget Barry Bonds, who in 2007, broke Hank Aaron’s record and become Major League Baseball’s all-time homerun leader? Who could forget that his career, as well as the record, is clouded by allegations of cheating? Who could forget the thirteen Major League Baseball players who were suspended earlier this month for being involved with steroids, including Alex Rodriguez?

Why cheat? I am in no position to say for sure why these players chose to cheat (if it turns out they did). If I had to guess, I would say it has something to do with the desire to be successful. Aren’t they already successful? What good is success if you have to sacrifice your integrity along the way? What good is putting up big numbers that lead to big contracts if you have to constantly answer rumors of cheating? Cooperstown rewards players on their character, integrity, and sportsmanship as much as it does on batting averages, homeruns, and games played in succession. I wonder how many Major League Baseball players could wear the “I Won’t Cheat” uniform patch and truly mean it?

FIFS : 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

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14. For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15.and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Have you ever stopped to think about what drives you to do the things you do? Have you ever really took a good hard look at the reasons for which you do all that you do? What is motivating you right now to do the things you do? The need for shelter motivates and drives us to find a home to live in. The need for an income motivates and drives us to find a job. The need for higher education or an advanced degree motivates and drives us to spend extra years in school beyond the normal. The need for a healthier body motivates and drives us to exercise and diet. Some motivating force drives us to do all that we do, whether good or bad.

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he talks about motivation. Paul was a driven and focused man. He tells us the reason for his drive and what motivated him. He said, “For the love of Christ compels us”. It was for the love of Christ that he kept preaching when no one seemed to be listening. It was for the love of Christ that he pushed forward after being beaten and run out of town. It was also for the love of Christ that while in prison awaiting his own death that the churches were on his mind. Paul’s motivation looks the same in the life of the believer today. The love of Christ compels the believer to tell others of a life-changing Savior. The love of Christ compels us to grant and extend forgiveness when the rest of the world simply says “get even”. The love of Christ compels us to love our fellow man beyond we see on the outside. The love of Christ also compels us to reach into the darkness of the nations and shine the light of the gospel. This love of Christ looked beyond us while we were lost, rebellious, and indifferent towards God. Jesus demonstrated what true love looks like.

Paul said, “and He died for all, that those who lives should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”. Paul makes the assertion that there has been a change in his motivation. At one time Paul was motivated by pride, hate, and religious tradition. He was living for himself. However, when the love of Christ spilled onto his life and it became personal, he quit living for himself. We were no different. At one time we lived for ourselves and did everything that we thought was right and good. The day Jesus stepped into our lives, we were under new management. Our motivating and driving force that compels, urges, prompts, and pushes us to love, witness, preach, teach, and care is the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

Worth Repeating : D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

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“God is not a subject for debate, because He is Who He is and What He is. We are told that the unbeliever, of course, does not agree with that; and that is perfectly true; but that makes no difference. We believe it, and it is part of our very case to assert it. Holding the view that we do, believing what we do about our God, we cannot in any circumstances allow Him to become a subject for discussion or of debate or investigation. I base my argument at this point on the word addressed by God Himself to Moses at the burning bush (Ex. 3:1-6). Moses had suddenly seen this remarkable phenomenon of the burning bush, and was proposing to turn aside and to examine this astonishing phenomenon. But, immediately, he is rebuked by the voice which came to him saying, ‘Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thy standest is holy ground.’ That seems to me to be the governing principle in this while matter. Our attitude is more important than anything that we do in detail, and as we are reminded in the Epistle to the Hebrews, God is always to approached ‘with reverence and with godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire’ (Heb. 12:28 and 29).

To me this is a very vital matter. To discuss the being of God in a casual manner, lounging in an armchair, smoking a pipe or cigarette or a cigar, is to me something that we should never allow, because God, as I say, is not a kind of philosophic X or a concept. We believe in the almighty, the glorious, the living God; and whatever may be true of others we must never put ourselves, or allow ourselves to be put, into a position in which we are debating about God as if He were but a philosophical proposition.”

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones from Preaching and Preachers, quoted by Jared C. Wilson in The Pastor’s Justification

Missional Monday : Go Fish Clothing and Jewelry

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gofishlogoMy family and I vacationed at St. Simons Island, GA last week. While walking around the pier area, we come across as a little store called Go Fish® Clothing and Jewelry. I was intrigued by the name so I went in to take a look around. I was immediately struck by the contemporary “Christian” music that was being played overhead. As I walked around I noticed there were many different kinds of handmade items from artisans from all corners of the globe. These items ranged from hand-crafted wooden animals, blown glass figurines, hand-made clothing, and all kinds of jewelry. Alongside each display was a portrait of the family that had made the product and a description of where they lived. Go Fish® purchases their items that are sold in stores from indigenous peoples of developing nations. Prices paid for the items are never debated and their goods are bought at their asking price. Galatians 6:10 is the company’s motivating verse. The intent of Go Fish® is to give these indigenous people the dignity and respect of they deserve by highlighting their creativity and skill while providing a sustainable livelihood for the individual family. I found it refreshing that in the midst of shops that were selling everything from surfboards to swimsuits, there was a company being a missionary in the place they were planted. You can read more about Go Fish® and their work here.

FIFS : 8.9.2013

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The Lord of Hosts has sworn: As I have planned, so it will be; as I have purposed it, so it will happen.” Isaiah 14:24

There is a tremendous amount that I don’t understand. I don’t understand why some people get sick and others do not. I don’t understand why some who are sick are healed, and others are not. I don’t understand how someone can observe creation and at least not consider there is a Creator. I don’t fully understand why bad things happen to good people and that evil always seem to prosper. I don’t understand how God purposed and planned for my life long before I was born.

It is at times when I lack understanding that I am pushed into a deeper trust of God’s sovereignty. I trust His absolute reign and rule over my life and the events of this world. Isaiah wrote that the very plans that God has made and sure and He will bring to pass that which He desires. It is humbling to think that we can have a place and a part in God’s history (for history really is His story). Henry Blackaby wrote, ‘When God chooses a person for His purpose, all of eternity will be shaped by His decision.’  In the times that I don’t fully understand God’s healing, or why evil seems to prosper, I have come to understand one thing. It’s not what I don’t know that matters, it is who I know that matters.

Worth Repeating : James Dennison

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“The scene is one of the most breathtaking in all of Scripture. An itinerant Galilean carpenter stands surrounded by twelve very ordinary men. At the moment, the leaders of nations are plotting to destroy him as a dangerous heretic. He stands in an area which illustrates the conflict and power of religions more than any other place in the world – Caesarea-Philippi, north of Galilee.

At least fourteen temples to Baal lay scattered about the area, reminders of Canaanite paganism. Nearby is a deep cavern where the Greeks said their god, Pan, was born. The entire region is symbolic of Greek mythology. Adjacent stands the great temple of white marble built to the deity of Caesar by Herod the Great, emblematic of Roman emperor worship. And the Jews believed that their sacred Jordan River originated from beneath this very mountain. Behind Jesus stands a gigantic rock formation, with a cave which is deeper than we are able to measure to this day. It was called the “gates of Hades,” and was widely believed to be the doorway to the underworld.

It was and is an intimidating place. I’ve stood at this spot, and I remember it well. But here Jesus uttered words which astounded his followers: ‘On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it’ (Matthew 16:18). Hades would not attack the church – this small band of men would attack Hades. And neither Hades, the pagan religions, nor the power of the Roman and Jewish rulers would prevail. Jesus’ church would assault the very gates of hell with the gospel – and win. The church was Jesus’ strategy for reaching a lost world.

And this strategy worked, amid some of the greatest ecotones in history. As Jewish and Gentile cultures clashed, the gospel thrived (Acts 10-11). As East met West, the church grew and prospered (Acts 16). When the gospel came to Rome itself, it took root and flowered (Acts 28). As the Roman Empire crumbled and fell, the church mushroomed in power. The strategy worked.

Across the centuries of ecotonic clashes, the church has remained Jesus’ answer to world evangelization. In a millennium of Dark Ages the gospel spread, and the church grew. In the midst of Enlightenment attacks it experienced Great Awakenings. The Industrial Age saw the greatest missionary expansion to point in history.

And our century, with two world wars and the greatest rate of change in human history, has witnessed unprecedented growth in Christian missions. According to church growth expert George Otis Jr, about 70 percent of all progress toward evangelizing the world has taken place since 1900. Seventy percent of that growth has occurred since World War II.

Now, in another ecotonic time, the church is still Jesus’ strategy for world evangelization. Change is nothing new. Only Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He still intends to reach the world through his church.”

James Dennison, from Missiology; An Introduction to the Foundations, History, and Strategies of World Missions. 1998

Book Review : Sticking Points

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stickAs a pastor, I encounter the challenges of leading and ministering to multiple generations on a daily basis. Each one has their own preferences. Each one has their own experiences that have shaped how they think and react. I am learning more and more every day that a “one size fits all” approach to leadership is counter-productive and frustrating to everyone involved in the leadership circle. I have asked questions much like these (to myself) many times. “Why can’t everyone look at this the same way?” “Where did that response come from?” “How can we get hung up on something a small as this?” I believe I have finally found an answer. In “Sticking Points; How to Get Four Generations Working Together in the Twelve Places They Come Apart:, author and conference speaker Haydn Shaw casts a very bright and much needed light on the reasons why multiple generations do instinctively sync when it comes to decision-making, values, and priorities.

Shaw calls this friction “sticking points”. These points are areas of life and work that are most likely to cause conflict and disagreement between generations. Shaw begins by identifying the four age groups (generations) most commonly identified by researchers. These four groups become the comparison/contrast throughout the rest of the book. He begins with the Traditionalists (those born before 1945). This generation is marked by the Great Depression, World War II, and the move from the farm to the city. Shaw then moves to the Baby Boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964). This generation is marked by an incredible post-World War II birth rate, the influence of television as a unifying influence, and a spirit of optimism. The third group is Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980). I fall in the exact center of this generation. This generation is marked by high divorce rate, the introduction of the term “latchkey” kids, high recession rates, and skepticism as seen in a lack of faith in institutions (government, corporation, religion). Finally, Shaw highlights Millennials (those born between 1981-2001). Millennials are marked by over-protective parents, the technology boom, 9/11, and have grown up with metal detectors, airport security, terrorism, and a sense of immediate gratification.

Chapter four though seven are invaluable in understanding what makes each generation think and react the way they do. Shaw refers to these observations as “ghost stories”, meaning the influences and events that have pre-conditioned their outlook on life today. These chapters alone would be worth the price of the book itself. Shaw moves on to detail the twelve sticking points most commonly experienced. The points are: communication, decision making, dress code, feedback, fun at work, knowledge transfer, loyalty, meetings, policies, respect, training, and work ethic. Shaw dedicates an entire chapter to each sticking point. Each chapter as well has a five-step plan for dealing with each point. These five steps for leading through generational differences are: acknowledge (talk about the differences), appreciate (focus on the why and not the what), flex (agree as to how to accommodate), leverage (maximize the strength of each generation), and resolve (deciding which option is best when flexing isn’t enough).

Shaw has written an excellent book. Sticking Points is a book that I needed at this point in my life. I have seen the generational breakdown that Shaw highlights. I have never seen it explained in such a simple, informational, and precise way. Although business leaders will benefit greatly from this book, parents will as well. One of the things that infuriates me most is that my sixteen year old son can’t seem to put down his phone for more than ten seconds. This book helped me understand that he, as a Millennial, utilizes technology to maintain contact with his “tribe” of friends whose plans are extremely fluid. I get it. I rarely label a book as “must read”. However, this is no doubt one of those. Whether you are a CEO, teacher, pastor, or community leader, Sticking Points will prove to be worth your time and energy. It is a book that will read several times. A five-star book.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Tyndale House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”