Premise: Many who have read the Bible over the centuries have accepted it as authoritatively from God, and have glossed over some glaring inconsistencies, contradictions, and shear nonsense. Some cultish groups have attempted to mimick the myths and twisted beliefs they have derived from the Bible. Jehovah's Witnesses are no exception to this.
This raises the questions: If the Bible (as we know it) is from God, having his stamp of authorship and approval, then can we ever at some point raise serious questions about it? Questioning, not out of disrespect for God, but to make sure that what we believe makes sense and bears the stamp of at least making sense? And, if the Bible is flawed and not entirely from God, or not from God at all, then would that not mean it is all the more important to raise serious questions? How will we ever know or make any sensible judgment unless we start with a questioning premise?
God on Trial: My goal here is not one of being unfaithful or mean to God, but to let him answer and speak where he wishes. But, at the same time, I have to ask some tough questions. Let's start with one:
Why did God order the genocide of the entire population of Jericho? What was the justification for this?: He ordered that every man, woman, child, and all livestock, save Rahab the Harlot and her family and friends, to be totally destroyed. Only the precious and semi-precious metals were saved into the treasury of Jehovah. Then, the entire city burned, followed by a prohibition on all future generations or any person from ever rebuilding this city. Why?
Problem: God tells Moses, via the Ten Commandment, that the people of Israel must not Kill (Murder for those being more accurate). How was the massacre at Jericho not an act of murderous genocide? How can God order his people to murder an entire city in such a horrible act, and then at the same time tell them they shall not murder? Why did not the Israelites stand up and challenge Joshua by citing the Ten Commandments, and then bring Joshua up on charges of apostasy from Jehovah?
How to answer?: Plausibilities are not an answer, as these are only speculations and fancy rationalizations. The event at Jericho, according to the Bible, is real; and, therefore, deserves real answers, and not speculative rationalizations. Did God ever justify this horrible act at his demand? Why did he use Israel, the very people he earlier orders not to murder, to carry out such genocide?
Reference: The primary reference of this account is found at Joshua chapters 2 through 6. Here is the statement in the Bible, Josh 6:21, "And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, both young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword."
The God of love, who authored the Bible, His reported written "Word", and directing the nation of Israel, whom he ordered not to murder, Jehovah God so carried out murder through them. Total destruction! Total genocide! All items of value going to Jehovah's treasury. Any Israelite failing to carry out this command was also to be destroyed. i.e. Achan, his wife, children, and livestock were killed for keeping some of the valueables.
How do you respond?: How can we answer? By what right can Jehovah God command it illegal and wicked to murder, and then not only violate His own laws, but have his very people under this Mosaic Law violate that law? Does this mean that murder is only murder if we do it without God's orders? So then, the Law was not some perfect standard foreshadowing the Law of Love. Rather, it seems like a mockery, a rule that can be set aside at any time when it is inconvenient to keep.
Why did not God abide by this good law, and show how to accomplish good WITOUT violating his own law against murder? Would this not have exalted God's law, by keeping it, and still accomplishing His will? COuld not God have simply caused the people of jericho to repent and join Israel, or at least up and moved away?
Again, why did not Israel challenge Joshua on this as a contradiction to what they made a Covenant NOT to do - murder? This really means that God's laws are reduced to little more than arbitrary rules that God uses for his own ends, but in themselves have little intrinsic value.
My Thoughts?: Other than the questions I have raised, and suggested problems, I am not sure what to think anymore. - Amazing