Bible Study, Commentary, Analysis: Old Testament Scriptures, Laws
This online Bible study provides commentary on and analysis of the Old Testament. For Christians, the Old Testament is the collection of biblical scriptures which is derived from the Jewish tradition. For Protestants, it is the same as what appears in the classical Jewish collections. For Roman Catholics, it is this collection plus the Apocrypha. This online Bible study and commentary is independent of all these perspectives.
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Old Testament Laws: Introduction to Problems and Issues with Ancient Laws in the Bible
There are a lot of really awful things in the Old Testament. This seems like a simple and obvious statement, but there are two slight problems with it. First, although nonbelievers and skeptics will superficially agree with it, many are unaware of what some of the specific laws and events actually are. This is particularly true when it comes to the laws because, lets face it, reading those lists of ritual laws can be quite boring.
There are a lot of really awful things in the Old Testament. This seems like a simple and obvious statement, but there are two slight problems with it. First, although nonbelievers and skeptics will superficially agree with it, many are unaware of what some of the specific laws and events actually are. This is particularly true when it comes to the laws because, lets face it, reading those lists of ritual laws can be quite boring.
Children and the Bible: Status of Children in Old Testament Laws
Let's turn our attention now to that group of any society which is perhaps its most defenseless: children. A society can often be judged by how it treats its children. Unfortunately, the laws supposedly handed down by this 'god' to the ancient Hebrews were not always very 'kid-friendly'.
Let's turn our attention now to that group of any society which is perhaps its most defenseless: children. A society can often be judged by how it treats its children. Unfortunately, the laws supposedly handed down by this 'god' to the ancient Hebrews were not always very 'kid-friendly'.
Disobedience and the Bible: What does the Old Testament Say about Disobedience?
God's focus upon obedience was certainly not limited to children following the commands of parents. This god handed down a lot of laws - some of which even today appear reasonable and others which, as we have seen, are beyond any modern merits. So what was this god's policy towards those who might question or even disobey his commands? What happens to someone who thinks that maybe women, children, and even strangers should be treated a bit better than this particular god decrees?
God's focus upon obedience was certainly not limited to children following the commands of parents. This god handed down a lot of laws - some of which even today appear reasonable and others which, as we have seen, are beyond any modern merits. So what was this god's policy towards those who might question or even disobey his commands? What happens to someone who thinks that maybe women, children, and even strangers should be treated a bit better than this particular god decrees?
Strangers and the Bible: Status of Strangers in Old Testament Laws
One of the issues worth looking at is how those from other tribes and nations were to be treated. It is unsurprising for people to wish to treat their extended kin relations better than outsiders, but would a god who created all humanity and who is supposed to be all-loving really try to reinforce and promote such an attitude?
One of the issues worth looking at is how those from other tribes and nations were to be treated. It is unsurprising for people to wish to treat their extended kin relations better than outsiders, but would a god who created all humanity and who is supposed to be all-loving really try to reinforce and promote such an attitude?
Women and the Bible: Status of Women in the Old Testament Laws
If a god created humanity, then it created half of all that humanity as one gender (male) and half of another gender (female). And how was the latter half treated by the former half through history? Pretty badly, for the most part. It isn't surprising to find this trend continued among the ancient Hebrews, but should we expect an all-loving God to support and reinforce such misogyny?
If a god created humanity, then it created half of all that humanity as one gender (male) and half of another gender (female). And how was the latter half treated by the former half through history? Pretty badly, for the most part. It isn't surprising to find this trend continued among the ancient Hebrews, but should we expect an all-loving God to support and reinforce such misogyny?