Exploring the Question of Whether God the Father Has a History of Violence

Today we will delve deeper into the intriguing topic of whether God the Father has been, or has the potential to be, violent. The topic of God's potential for violence has been a point of intrigue for many, and I want to begin to address it today. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary tools to navigate this issue rather than simply providing answers. Because, in the end, the journey of discovery of these truths helps us understand God better.

Exploring the Perception of God's Violence through a Popular Verse

Let's begin by examining John 3:16, a well-known verse, and discussing how we perceive and feel about God's violent nature. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This scripture is often interpreted as God demonstrating intense love rather than violence. Or does it?

Reevaluating Our Understanding of Penal Substitutionary Atonement

In our church history and teachings, we've been exposed to ideas that reinforce violent interpretations of God. But is this really the case? Or is it a misinterpretation of the scriptures?

Penal substitutionary atonement is traditionally explained as Jesus dying on the cross so we wouldn't have to. This can lead to a perception of God as violent and wrathful. But is this biblically accurate? While parts of this concept hold true, others do not fully align with the loving nature of God as depicted in the bible.

Let me explain...

The concept of penal substitutionary atonement has its merits, but it also has flaws. Let's explore both. 

The Correct Parts

The following elements of penal substitutionary atonement are biblically accurate: we are all sinners; sin's wage is death, so we all must die; Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross; and God dealt with our sin through Jesus by taking our sin upon Himself, allowing us to receive His righteousness.

That much is factual.

...And The Not-So-Correct Parts

However, what about the "not so much" aspects?

The primary issue is why Jesus died on the cross as our substitute. According to some teachings, Jesus died on the cross because God had to punish someone for our wrongdoing. God had to pour out His wrath upon someone, and so He condemned and punished Jesus instead of us. Doesn't this strike you as unjust, abusive, or unbiblical? 

As Steve Chalke explains in The Lost Message of Jesus, the problem with this concept is that "the cross isn't a form of cosmic child abuse—a vengeful Father, punishing his Son for an offense he has not even committed. ...If the cross is a personal act of violence perpetrated by God towards humankind but borne by His Son, then it makes a mockery of Jesus' own teaching to love your enemies and refuse to repay evil with evil" (p. 182f).

Substitution is not the idea that God wanted to punish us but punished Jesus instead. No, God wanted to condemn sin, which He did in Jesus Christ (Rom 8:3). Jesus bore the condemnation of sin in His body rather than in ours. As NT Wright says in one of his online articles: The multiple strands of idolatry, sin, evil, wickedness, oppression, violence, judgment, and all the rest throughout the Old Testament come rushing together and do their worst to Jesus. He takes their full force and does so because that was God’s purpose all along. 

God never wanted nor desired to deal with sin in our own bodies, primarily because He never would have been successful in doing so. Because we are sinners, God cannot defeat sin in us. When we die, even if we were to die a horrible death on a cross like Jesus, sin would not be defeated. Instead, sin would forever be victorious. 

The only way for God to deal with sin is to deal with it Himself. He must take it on. He must fight the battle. 

It is not, as many of us like to say, “Because of sin, someone must suffer, either Jesus or us.” No, for even if we suffered, it would accomplish nothing. Once sin entered the world through Adam, there was only one way to defeat it, and that was for God to take it upon Himself, which He did in Jesus Christ. Again, this was not because He was mad or angry at us, and transferred this anger upon Jesus, but rather, He did this because of His great love for us, and because He desired to see us freed from sin and death.

It matters because we must not get the wrong picture of God from what happened on the cross.

God is not an angry, wrathful, bloodthirsty being who wants to torture and kill people when they disobey Him, but Jesus came along and convinced God to pour out this wrath on Himself instead of upon us.

Was there a substitution that took place? Absolutely. But it was not us for Jesus; it was rather our sin for His righteousness. He took our sin, and in His own body, on the cross, condemned sin, destroyed death, and rose victoriously from the grave, because of His—and God’s—great love for us.

Reimagining God's Nature: Non-violent and Loving

For a fresh perspective, let's explore the idea of God as a non-violent God. This journey of transformation for me began when I started viewing the Genesis story in a different light, as a "God selfie"—a reflection of His character and nature.

In the Genesis account, God maintains a meaningful relationship with humanity, showing care, protection, and love. Even when Adam and Eve sin, God does not react violently. Instead, He shows compassion and seeks to restore the relationship that fear and sin have damaged.

Unmasking the Biggest Lie About Sin: The Misconception of God's Love

The most damaging misconception about sin is the belief that it sparks God's anger, causing us to hide from Him out of fear. However, God's response to our sins is always love. Period. This understanding is vital in reshaping our perception of God from an angry deity to a loving Father.

The True Picture of God as Seen through Jesus

Jesus' life and teachings give us a clear representation of God the Father—one that is loving and forgiving, not angry or violent. From the parable of The Prodigal Son to His plea for forgiveness for His persecutors on the cross, Jesus consistently portrays a God of love and peace.

So, does God the Father have a history of violence? Based on the biblical understanding of God's nature, the answer leans towards a non-violent God, one who is full of love and grace. But in the end, the interpretation and understanding of God's character are personal journeys that each believer must undertake.