Christians who have read the OT, can you understand why many of us are skeptical?

The OT was written when people were warring constantly against each other, and needed a firm hand to keep them in place. Once the NT was written, the world was a little more peaceful, and people just needed subtle hints at what kind of morally-right life to lead.

Though, if you accept OT/NT as Truth, it doesn't make sense why God would be a smiter one day and a loving father the next. I can see why you're confused. It makes a lot more sense when you consider the Bible being created and written by man.

Kent, I can understand why many our skeptical. Hebrews says that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So the same God of the New Testament is the same God of the Old Testament. Yet they seem to be two radically different characters??? The thing is that many are surface readers of the Bible see genocides coming from God, when its actually not. You see, God does not kill. Now that may seem like a totally COMPLETE contradiction of what the Old Testament presents, but close study will show that that is NOT THE WAY. I invite you to email me so we can talk more about this subject of controversy. God bless you Kent.

Many of the people smitten had dealings with fallen angels, who even tried to contaminate the human genome by mating with humans. For example Noah's Flood is preceded by such an account (Genesis 6:4-7). If the human genome was completely contaminated, the human birth of the Messiah could have been prevented. There are many sites and books that further discuss this subject.

The first word for god in the Old Testament is Elohim, which means gods. These were the Powers and Principalities.

Who we can say do Gods will , because God has given them places of authority. But they are not perfect, and make mistakes. The Word says God will punish the Hosts of Heaven soon too. Give them a pink slip. Fired!

I think "God" just switched sides. After all "he"is a politician, at heart, if "he" existed.

The O.T. reads like the militant Muslims believe. From a few of the previous answers, it seems the Christian faction approves of this type of "God", so it is small wonder the world has experienced the wars and carnage we have suffered.

If you believe in God you would agree that He is an honest judge.

You would also agree that there are reasons not stated in the OT for the genocide of the different cities.

I have a big problem with it too.

You would also agree that we, as people, are limited in our understanding of spiritual things.

I can understand your thinking, but we can't understand God's thinking. We don't know all like He does. And since He has never done wrong, we trust His reasoning (whatever that may be) was right.

If I knew Hitler as a baby and knew what he would grow to become, I wouldn't be as sad if that baby died.

Which "innocent" people are you speaking about?

God, who is the only one with the right to judge what He has created, considers all those who disobey Him to be GUILTY of sin against Him.

Or do you feel you are the real God who can judge what is sin and what is not? Maybe you can argue with Him when you meet.

Bet He wins.

The OT 's got nothing to do with it - majority of people are born skeptical.

Are you really REALLY looking for an answer to this? Many theists have valid critiques of why this happened. I only ask because this is one of the biggest (and most valid I might add) objections to the Bible, and hundreds of people have answered these objections hundreds of times before me. Google search it. I guarantee you will find an answer.