Is God a Vindictive Bully?

“Do you have a problem with something, or a lot of things, in the Old Testament? Paul Copan has provided a virtual encyclopedia of helpful answers to frequently asked questions that trouble many readers. He tackles a whole range of objections that arise both from those who claim broad Christian allegiance to the Bible as a whole and from those who make no such claim whatsoever and use the Old Testament as a major reason for their hostility. This is a thoroughly detailed reference work that those of us who teach or preach the Old Testament will turn to frequently, or point others to, when such questions are aired. An excellent resource indeed!”—Christopher J. H. Wright, global ambassador and ministry director, Langham Partnership; author of Old Testament Ethics for the People of God

“People are inclined to think that the Old Testament God is like the Taliban and the New Testament God is a comfort animal. Dr. Copan takes on that kind of view with passion. I can’t imagine that there are any misapprehensions about the Scriptures, particularly about the Old Testament, that aren’t covered by this book. You may not agree with everything in Dr. Copan’s study, but you will be dazzled by the range of issues he covers and the range of material he offers.”—John Goldingay, senior professor of Old Testament and David Allan Hubbard Professor Emeritus of Old Testament, Fuller Theological Seminary

“Many books have been published that suggest that the Old Testament describes God not as he really is but rather as Israel depicted him from their rather primitive, tribal perspective. One prominent evangelical voice has even suggested that Christians ‘unhinge’ themselves from the Old Testament. In this well-thought-out and accessible book, Paul Copan takes on these critics ‘from within’ the church. He does so with grace yet conviction. I highly recommend this book for all Christians who are tempted to ignore the Old Testament.”—Tremper Longman III, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

“Paul Copan’s work speaks to current voices that assert the Old Testament’s depiction of God is highly problematic or at odds with the New Testament. He engages critics from outside the faith who with vindictive glee mischaracterize the Old Testament’s presentation of God. He addresses critics from within who jettison the hard parts of the Old Testament or assert its depiction of God is in error. God’s people are often confused by and suspicious of the Old Testament, wondering how it aligns with Jesus; these conversations are pressing for my seminary students and for local pastors and congregations. Dr. Copan provides a valuable resource in accessible language that speaks with informed conviction and with grace. In a time when the Old Testament’s necessary role in Christian faith is attacked and undermined, Dr. Copan’s work serves the good of the church. I highly recommend it for all whose faith seeks understanding.”—Lissa M. Wray Beal, professor of Old Testament, Providence Theological Seminary, Otterburne, Manitoba

“Old Testament violence continues to be a thorny, painful, and faith-damaging issue for many Christians today. Among the voices attempting to address the questions, one of the most prominent is that of Paul Copan. We can expect anything that comes from his desk to be serious, rigorous, and honest. Is God a Vindictive Bully? is no exception. It will be helpful—even redemptive—for many who wrestle with these questions. And while not all will wholly agree with him, it will be one of the go-to books on the subject for years to come.”—Helen Paynter, tutor in biblical studies and director of the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence, Bristol Baptist College

“Serious criticisms are often made of the Old Testament in general and of its portrayal of God in particular. These criticisms come both from within the church and from without. Paul Copan here subjects these criticisms to careful scrutiny, testing them against the claims of the Old Testament. He finds that when we read the Old Testament with attention to its time and context, these criticisms are misplaced. Rather, the Old Testament is consistent with the New in revealing a God who is prepared to get involved with the mess of life and bring redemption. A careful and reflective work, this is important reading for thinking Christians who want to understand why the Old Testament matters for their faith.”—David G. Firth, tutor in Old Testament, Trinity College, Bristol

“In this very important and much-needed volume, Dr. Copan does a marvelous job of dealing with arguments that would introduce a separation between the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament. With erudition he skillfully answers ‘critics from without’ and, unfortunately, ‘critics from within’ who advocate for this harmful dichotomy. I am extremely grateful for this faithful defense of the repeated affirmation in the New Testament that the God portrayed in the Old Testament is, indeed, ‘the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.’”—Jerry E. Shepherd, professor emeritus of Old Testament, Taylor Seminary, Edmonton, Alberta

“Can a God of love command an adulterer’s execution? Paul Copan explores this and many other objections to biblical texts. By careful reading he shows how biblical writings consistently present a single God, gracious and just. Questions and doubts current today are often superficial and unbalanced. Here are clear, well-founded answers for Christian believers.”—Alan Millard, Emeritus Rankin Professor of Hebrew and Ancient Semitic Languages, University of Liverpool

“Many recent studies on the Bible’s portrayal of divine violence attempt to resolve the canon’s dissonances with categorical templates or through hermeneutical sleight of hand. Copan, however, refuses the path of least interpretive resistance and opts instead to take the tensive thickness of the Bible’s testimony head on. Informed by careful reading and with due attention to contexts and nuances, he offers a study on the topic that is both encyclopedic in scope and thorough in its treatment of particularly problematic texts. Readers will find much to ponder in this important contribution to an urgent conversation.”—L. Daniel Hawk, professor of Old Testament and Hebrew, Ashland Theological Seminary

“At a time when the credibility of the Bible and the character of God are being questioned by critics outside of the Christian community and by some within it, this book offers thoughtful, biblically credible, and theologically convincing answers. Furthermore, Paul Copan exposes the fallacies of the Bible’s detractors, as well as the flaws of their readings of the Bible and the ignorance of their conclusions.”—James K. Hoffmeier, emeritus professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern archaeology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School