Why would God command the death of so many people in the Bible (e.g., the Canaanites)?

• God’s Judgment: Commands in the Old Testament addressed extreme evils like child sacrifice.
• Cultural Context: Hyperbolic language (e.g., “wipe everyone out”) meant decisive victory, not literal extermination.
• God’s Authority: As the creator, God has the right to give and take life; humans do not.
• Temporary Laws: Old Testament theocracy was specific to Israel and not eternal moral law.
• Christ’s Fulfillment: The New Testament renews principles, with Jesus completing the law.
• Read in Context: Biblical passages require understanding their cultural and covenantal context.

(Book recommendation: Is God a Moral Monster? by Paul Copan.)

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Thinking Apologetically on This Issue

• Moral Standard Basis: Start by addressing the atheist’s claim—without God, moral judgments are subjective. Why is it wrong to call God immoral without a universal standard?
• Defending God’s Actions: Emphasize that God’s actions were not arbitrary but were in response to extreme and persistent evil.
• Divine Authority: Reflect on the concept of God as Creator, having the right to end and give life. This isn’t murder; it’s God’s authority over life and death.
• Temporary Nature of Old Testament Commands: Recognize that the Old Testament laws were for a specific time and purpose, not universal moral directives.
• Use of Context: Apologetically, always return to the context—historical, cultural, and covenantal—when explaining difficult passages.

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