Playback speed
Richard Dawkins describes the Old Testament God as "a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser" (among other things). Paul Copan is a Christian apologist and has written a book aiming to show why God's actions in the Old Testament are not immoral when taken in context.
Norman Bacrac is an atheist humanist and part ot the South place Ethical Society. He believes that Old Testament morality was barbaric and we don't need a God to tell us how to behave. He holds that God's morality is called into question if we take the Old Testament literally.
So how do we interpret passages where the Israelites were commanded to wipe out whole towns including women and children?
For Paul Copan and his book "Is God a Moral Monster?" see http://www.paulcopan.com/
For the Ethical Society see http://www.ethicalsoc.org.uk/
For more Christian/non-Christian debate visit http://www.premier.org.uk/unbelievable or get the MP3 podcast http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx or Via Itunes
If you enjoyed this programme you may also enjoy:
Unbelievable? 16 Oct 2010 - The Moral argument for God Philosophers Arif Ahmed and Glenn People debate
Unbelievable? 19 June 2010 - Does the Bible condone slavery? Bob Price & David Instone-Brewer.
Unbelievable? 13 Sep 2008 Christianity on Trial - Part 2 Can we really look to the Bible and Jesus for morality?
Join the discussion at the Premier Community http://www.premiercommunity.org.uk/group/unbelievable and via Facebook and Twitter
Released on 23 Jun 2014
Brian McLaren is an author, theologian and church leader. He is at the forefront of the "emerging church" and his books such as "A new Kind of Christian" and "A Generous Orthodoxy" have been influential in the moevement...
With the death of Osama Bin Laden we ask "Did Bin Laden represent the true face of Islam" Radical Islamist Anjem Choudary who has frequently praised Bin Laden and Al Queada for their acts of terror, joins the discussion. He says Osama wa...
In 1995 the Church of England allowed the ordination of Women priests. But the question of whether the Bible forbids female authority in the church remains. Christina Rees serves on the Archbishop's Council and the General Synod. She advocates for....
You’re almost there! To access this content
A world of great Christian audio is just around the corner
We are SO excited to announce the return of Premier Christmas radio for a second year running! It's finally time to get festive with our pop-up Christmas radio station. Allow us to fill your days with Hope, Peace, Joy and Love this winter with our carefully crafted Christmas radio. Listen Now
This winter autumn your favourite worship station will be advertising a message of hope and joy across the nation. Share your blessing with us and help us raise a true spirit of praise on Premier Praise throughout the month of November. Either send us a message at [email protected] saying how God has blessed you through one of these tracks, or better still send us a voice note on our WhatsApp number 0303 040 4000.