Answering Humanist's Accusations Against the Bible
THE CLAIMED CRUELTY: He [God] required the torture and murder of his own son (e.g., Romans 3:24-25)
...being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness, because in the forbearance of God He passed over the sins previously committed; - Romans 3:24-25
I am not sure why the humanist who wrote their web page selected this scripture. As usual, they do not explain themselves. They seem to just be throwing accusations out and hoping that maybe one or two might stick. However, in this case it would seem they could come up with a better scripture for this accusation. All four gospels describe the physical torture and death of Jesus Christ on the cross.
In addition, the verses they have referenced from Romans are being ripped out of their context... that of Paul answering the question: “How can a man be in the right before God?” That is a truly im-portant question. The answer is... only through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. This is a wonderful verse explaining how we are saved.
However, without regard to the appropriateness of the humanist’s scripture reference, let's look at the claim they have asserted, that God was cruel to require the torture and murder of his own son.
There are certainly a lot of emotion packed words there. As with other humanists statements they are trying to influence the reader to come to a wrong conclusion by using misleading and emotion packed language. Let's learn the truth in a logical, step-by-step manner:
Who put Jesus on the cross? You did. Your sin did. God requires justice. There was no other op-tion. The penalty for your disobedience (law breaking) had to be paid. Either you had to pay the penalty you had justly earned, or someone else had to die in your place. There was only one person who could do that.
Every other person is in the same situation as you. They had to die to pay their own penalty. Jesus Christ, God who came to earth fully human, lived a perfect life. He never sinned and was thus the only one who could pay the penalty for the sin of others. And He did. That is why He went to the cross. He died (the second death) in your placed. There was no one else who could do it.
What was Jesus' attitude about going to the cross? He willingly went to the cross out of love for you. God did not re-quire that the Son be tortured and killed. That is a false statement. You, because of your sin, gave Him no choice. Because of His love for you, Jesus willingly went to the cross. He did it because He wants you to live.
[Jesus speaking] I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. - John 10:17b-18a
Conclusion: It was because of your sin that Jesus went to the cross. He did it willingly, out of love for you, so that you might have life. There is nothing evil or immoral here, just love.
Next example: [God is cruel because] he promised to send non-Christians to eternal torture (e.g., Revelation 21:8).
Click here... yes, all non-Christians end up in the eternal lake of fire and brimstone, but God doesn't send them there.
Jesus does not promise to take away all your troubles. He promises those will get worse. But, Jesus does promise to free you from worry and anxiety.
How does that work?
The Bible says, Be anxious for nothing... (Philippians 4:6) Why? When you trust Jesus, no matter what happens in this life, you will spend eternity with God... and that is VERY GOOD.
And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. - Matthew 10:28
Who can destroy your body and soul? Only God. (Not Satan) However, God does not send you to hell, you do that when you disobey God. However, God created hell, aka. the lake of fire, the second death (Revelation 21:8).
You can be rescued. Jesus Christ (God) died on the cross to save all those who believe in Him... all those who trust Him to pay their just penalty for disobeying God.
Trust in Jesus and you'll know your time on earth is like a wisp of smoke that vanishes in the wind. Trust that Jesus did pay YOUR penalty for sin. Repent. Turn away from disobeying God.
Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved. (Acts 16:31) and there will no longer be a reason for worry or anxiety.