Scan barcode
kaitdoud's review against another edition
3.0
Overall an interesting read concerning the Old Testament, although some sections seemed quite weak. At times you wished he would explain more and say less.
davehershey's review against another edition
3.0
Copan tackles one of the most difficult issues for any Christian: what is a Christian to do with the many passages in the Old Testament that make God appear a cosmic tyrant (or a "moral monster" as per the title of the book)? He does an admiral job. Perhaps the best thing about this book is that any Christian who wants answers to such questions could pick it up, read it and understand. It is not for teachers/pastors/theologians only.
On the other hand, this book's greatest strength may also be its biggest weakness. There are a few points where Copan seems to move through an argument too quickly. Some of the critiques from the skeptic that Copan mentions deserve a much fuller treatment. This is most apparent where Copan strays away from the questions of Old Testament interpretation and into other areas. I believe he wanted to turn a corner from answering questions on the Old Testament to providing a positive support for Christian faith (this is what part four is about) but I do not believe the two meager chapters doing this were sufficient.
One argument that is unsatisfying is when Copan addresses God commanding the killing of all Canaanites, including infants. Most Christians believe that all infants who die automatically go into God's presence; Copan himself adheres to this. Thus, those infants who died may actually have been saved since if they had lived and grown in Canaanite culture they would have worshiped idols, become depraved and gone to hell. The problem for the Christian, the problem Copan seeks to answer, is if this is true then why do we consider it a sin for a woman to kill her children out of fear they may grow up and become atheists? After all, isn't she saving them in the same way the Canaanite infants were saved? Copan's answer to this question is too brief, basically arguing the killer of the infant is not in the same position as the Israelites sent into Canaan by God. I believe there is a lot more to address here. Greg Boyd actually critiqued Copan on this very point in his blog a few days ago: http://www.gregboyd.org/blog/baby-universalism-and-reasonable-infanticide/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gregboyd+%28Greg+Boyd+and+Christus+Victor+Ministries%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher
Overall, this is a very helpful book that provides answers for Christians on the Old Testament. Copan sets forward a strong theology of progressive revelation, seeing a "redemptive curve" in the text (a la William Webb's Slaves, Women and Homosexuals). I recommend this for those with questions on the Old Testament.
One postscript: Copan makes some arguments in various points for apologetic reasons that I think an evangelical theologian would not be able to make. I mean, it seems apologists can get away with things that theologians cannot. It seems the same is true with Bible scholars: a Bible scholar can hint at something like "open theism" when a text points that direction, but if a theologian goes that way, they get crushed! I am not sure why this is, but it is interesting.
On the other hand, this book's greatest strength may also be its biggest weakness. There are a few points where Copan seems to move through an argument too quickly. Some of the critiques from the skeptic that Copan mentions deserve a much fuller treatment. This is most apparent where Copan strays away from the questions of Old Testament interpretation and into other areas. I believe he wanted to turn a corner from answering questions on the Old Testament to providing a positive support for Christian faith (this is what part four is about) but I do not believe the two meager chapters doing this were sufficient.
One argument that is unsatisfying is when Copan addresses God commanding the killing of all Canaanites, including infants. Most Christians believe that all infants who die automatically go into God's presence; Copan himself adheres to this. Thus, those infants who died may actually have been saved since if they had lived and grown in Canaanite culture they would have worshiped idols, become depraved and gone to hell. The problem for the Christian, the problem Copan seeks to answer, is if this is true then why do we consider it a sin for a woman to kill her children out of fear they may grow up and become atheists? After all, isn't she saving them in the same way the Canaanite infants were saved? Copan's answer to this question is too brief, basically arguing the killer of the infant is not in the same position as the Israelites sent into Canaan by God. I believe there is a lot more to address here. Greg Boyd actually critiqued Copan on this very point in his blog a few days ago: http://www.gregboyd.org/blog/baby-universalism-and-reasonable-infanticide/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gregboyd+%28Greg+Boyd+and+Christus+Victor+Ministries%29&utm_content=Google+Feedfetcher
Overall, this is a very helpful book that provides answers for Christians on the Old Testament. Copan sets forward a strong theology of progressive revelation, seeing a "redemptive curve" in the text (a la William Webb's Slaves, Women and Homosexuals). I recommend this for those with questions on the Old Testament.
One postscript: Copan makes some arguments in various points for apologetic reasons that I think an evangelical theologian would not be able to make. I mean, it seems apologists can get away with things that theologians cannot. It seems the same is true with Bible scholars: a Bible scholar can hint at something like "open theism" when a text points that direction, but if a theologian goes that way, they get crushed! I am not sure why this is, but it is interesting.
themtj's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't really enjoy this book, but didn't really have a problem with it either. It was assigned for a course and I read a lot, but not all of it.
In general, I think he answers a lot of questions that no one is really asking. His answers to questions range from "nailed it" to "what the heck are you talking about?"
Overall, this book is a good introduction to how to deal with problematic OT texts. That being said, I doubt anyone will be fully satisfied with the answers found in this book, but he will definitely kickstart your research.
In general, I think he answers a lot of questions that no one is really asking. His answers to questions range from "nailed it" to "what the heck are you talking about?"
Overall, this book is a good introduction to how to deal with problematic OT texts. That being said, I doubt anyone will be fully satisfied with the answers found in this book, but he will definitely kickstart your research.
auntie_bones's review against another edition
2.0
I was really impressed with this book and the way Copan handled challenging ethical questions until chapter 17. His answers felt like the Christian way of saying "turn your brain off". Other than that I was very happy with the way he discussed other topics and I learned a lot from this book.
jdparker9's review against another edition
4.0
Good, though at times dragging, apologetic work concerning the morality of the Old Testament portrayal of God.
steveinadelaide's review against another edition
4.0
A must read for atheists and Christians alike. Provides a more nuanced and detailed evaluation of the biblical texts than most so-called "new atheists". I've only given it 4 stars, though, because in places it assumes a Christian world view that sometimes accepts something as good because God said/did it. Fo example, in one place where "holy war" is discussed (I think it was) the author says holy war is ok but only as long as God reveals it to be so. No thinking person will accept this unless they already believe in God. I'm not completely happy with the author's treatment of the Abraham/Isaac story either. But the book, overall, provides some excellent analysis and detailed discussions. Style-wise, it's not an easy book to read.