see this: Youtube Discussion
https://youtu.be/xfCr8W1TJp0?t=451
the crucial point it's that Jesus according to the Christian belief Jesus is the god of the old Testament and he's the one who's commanding Moses for example to ethnically cleanse the Canaanites or the amalekites or all of these other tribes and to conduct conquests and War to take girls as slaves to take virgins as slaves this is in the Old Testament
so Christians have to deal with that moral problem a lot of Christians Unfortunately they just throw the Bible under the bus and you know how is that justified but it's not just the Old Testament it's also the New Testament the New Testament also has endorses slavery
Christian will response: we've changed but Muslim are not willing to change
I say yeah Muslims are willing to stand by Revelation
the problem with a lot of Christians not all Christians a lot of Christians Jews Hindus they all have these practices in their books Buddhists they all have these practices and their pressure to change and update
Christians will give all sort of explanations re contexts, new covenant, etc.
But this is not effective.
The serious charge is,
if God is omnipotent, why must the one and only eternal God create so much evil and sufferings. If there is to be a test, why not the omnipotent God create something that is much less evil and sufferings to the humans he created himself?
To this, Christians do not have an effective answers to the moral discrepancies between the same God of the OT and the NT.
If Christians were to believe in the Theory of Evolution, they could explain the evolution of morality within humanity in time from the OT to the NT. But Christians do not believe in Evolution Theory.
I believe the most effective answers for Christians to deal with the discrepancies between the morality between the OT and NT is this;
Christian could argued based on empirical evidences from anthropology, history and sociology based upon the past time acceptable to Christianity that the evil acts in the OT are real historically and the NT is the solution for humanity to overcome past and present evil towards the future.
So, whatever God's plan which cannot be confirmed directly [humans are fallible], what Christians can justify the OT and NT is based on real empirical evidences from History, Anthropology, sociology and human nature as known in the present.
Here's AI[wR] comments on the proposal:
This approach is a reasonable and potentially effective way for Christians to frame the relationship between the Old Testament (OT) and the New Testament (NT) in light of empirical evidence from anthropology, history, sociology, and human nature. Here’s how Christians might justify such an approach:
1. Historical Context of the Old Testament
Anthropological and Sociological Evidence: Ancient Near Eastern societies, including the Israelites, lived in a harsh and often violent world. Survival required strict laws, territorial defense, and practices that modern readers may find troubling but were common in that era. These include practices like warfare, slavery, and harsh punishments.
God’s Accommodation: Christians might argue that God worked within the cultural and moral framework of the time to guide humanity step by step. The OT laws and actions are viewed as reflective of their historical context and a divine effort to establish justice and order in a chaotic world.
Historical Realism: The OT's depiction of conquest, violence, and tribalism aligns with what historians and anthropologists know about the era. Rather than rejecting the OT as myth or exaggeration, Christians can argue it accurately represents humanity’s moral struggles in the ancient world.
2. The New Testament as a Moral and Spiritual Revolution
Sociological Impact of the NT: The NT introduces radical moral teachings, such as loving one’s enemies, forgiving others, and valuing all individuals equally. These teachings are widely recognized as revolutionary in their historical context.
Empirical Evidence of Moral Progress: Sociologists and historians note that Christianity’s emphasis on love, forgiveness, and charity has profoundly shaped Western civilization and global ethics. Movements such as the abolition of slavery, universal human rights, and the value of individual dignity are often traced back to NT principles.
Human Nature and the NT Solution: Christians can argue that the NT’s emphasis on internal transformation (e.g., the Holy Spirit) addresses human nature's tendency toward selfishness, violence, and division, offering a path toward greater harmony and moral progress.
3. Evolution of Morality
Empirical Evidence for Moral Development: Anthropological studies suggest that moral systems evolve as societies grow more complex. For example:
Tribal societies often emphasize loyalty and retribution (similar to OT themes).
Larger, more interconnected societies require broader moral principles, such as universal love and forgiveness (NT teachings).
Christianity’s teachings in the NT align with this trajectory, suggesting that they represent a response to humanity’s increasing moral and social sophistication.
The NT as a Fulfillment of the OT: Christians might argue that the NT builds on the OT’s moral foundation, moving from a justice-oriented framework (e.g., “eye for an eye”) to a love-oriented framework (“turn the other cheek”), reflecting a natural progression in humanity’s moral understanding.
4. The Problem of Evil and Historical Empathy
OT as a Reflection of Human Evil: Christians could argue that the OT does not shy away from portraying human evil in its rawest forms. This realism underscores the need for divine intervention and redemption.
Empirical Parallels: Historical records from various ancient civilizations reveal similar acts of violence, conquest, and tribalism. The OT, therefore, reflects not only Israel’s history but humanity’s broader moral struggles.
God’s Plan as the NT Solution: The NT presents a solution to these struggles by focusing on love, forgiveness, and reconciliation, which can be empirically observed in the transformative effects of Christian teachings on individuals and societies.
5. Justifying God’s Plan Through Empirical Evidence
Human Moral Growth: Christians can argue that God’s plan unfolds in alignment with humanity’s capacity for moral growth. The OT era represents humanity’s moral infancy, while the NT represents a more mature moral understanding.
Historical and Sociological Validation: The historical impact of Christianity—its role in inspiring movements for social justice, compassion, and peace—can be cited as evidence that the NT’s teachings are effective solutions to humanity’s moral failings.
Human Nature as Known Today: Modern psychology and sociology recognize the dual nature of humanity—capable of great evil but also profound goodness. Christians can point to the NT’s teachings as addressing this duality, offering hope and a path to overcome evil.
6. A Theistic Framework Grounded in Empirical Reality
The Role of God in History: Christians who adopt this approach might argue that God’s presence is seen not in miraculous interventions but in the gradual moral and spiritual evolution of humanity. This aligns with empirical observations of historical and societal development.
Faith and Evidence: While God’s plan cannot be directly proven, Christians can argue that the OT and NT narratives make sense when viewed through the lens of human history and moral progress.
7. Practical Implications of This Approach
Resonance with Modern Thinkers: This approach bridges faith and reason, appealing to those who value empirical evidence while maintaining a theistic worldview.
Unity of the Bible: By framing the OT and NT as different stages of a unified moral narrative, Christians can demonstrate the coherence of their faith in light of history, anthropology, and sociology.
Addressing Criticisms: This perspective helps address criticisms of the OT by contextualizing its harshness and highlighting the NT as the culmination of God’s redemptive work.
Conclusion
Using empirical evidence from anthropology, history, and sociology to justify the OT and NT as part of a unified moral narrative is a reasonable approach. It allows Christians to reconcile the apparent tension between the OT and NT, presenting the Bible as a record of humanity’s moral and spiritual journey under divine guidance. This approach emphasizes God’s role in guiding humanity through its historical context while pointing to the transformative power of the NT’s teachings as a solution to human evil, both past and present.
