Did Jesus Change God?
In the Old Testament we have the Ten Commandments, books of Law and a God that destroys cities by dropping fire from heaven (Sodom and Gomorrah). In Jesus, we find healing of the sick, a law based on love (Matthew 22:36-40), and "the fulfillment of the law." So, did Jesus change God? Is Jesus different from the God of the Old Testament...
Over the last few years there has been an emerging debate over global warming. Former Vice President Al Gore has been a leading crusader for this topic. He has championed the idea that human beings are responsible for increasing temperatures across the earth. Gore warns that human beings are pumping green house gases into the atmosphere and warming the world as a result. He's even made a movie to publicize this imminent threat to civilization. However, there are other scientists and world leaders who criticize Gore for his position on global warming. Lord Mockington wants to debate Gore over this issue on international TV. Bill Gray, in the atmospheric science department of Colorado State University, believes the world will naturally begin to cool again within eight years. Richard Lindzen, an MIT climate scientist, says the the atmosphere will naturally counteract the greenhouse gases. And global warming skeptics almost all point to the global temperature graph for the past century. They point to the fact that the earth goes through natural warming and cooling cycles.
Two very different perspectives on one critical issue. So, who is correct? Being a news consumer and not a scientist, I don't have any credibility on the issue. However, if you want my opinion, I tend to believe that there is some level of truth in each view. The "players" on the global warming stage are just looking at this issue from different vantage points.
Have you ever heard the story about the blind men feeling and describing an elephant? One thought an elephant looked much like a tree - strong and rooted to the ground. One thought it was similar to a rope. While they were surrounding the same animal, one was feeling his leg and the other was feeling his tail. It was a matter of perspective.
So, did Jesus change God? Is the God of the Old Testament different from the God of the New Testament? You probably know where I'm going...it depends on the lens you use to get your perspective. The Old Testament is undeniably tied to the laws that God set up for our protection. However, the same God, in the same Old Testament, is seen as a comforter (Isaiah 66:13), protector (Psalm 3:3), healer (2 Kings 20:4-6) and lover (Song of Solomon). And Jesus, in the New Testament, quotes the book of Deuteronomy (a book of law) almost as often as any Old Testament book.
Jesus did not change God. He is God...and he opens our eyes to the bigger picture.
