New Testament - God's Character vs. Old Testament - God's Law

Attribute	New Testament - God's Character	Old Testament - God's Law
Love	God is portrayed as loving and forgiving	God's laws are strict and emphasize obedience
Mercy	God shows mercy and compassion towards sinners	God's laws include punishments for disobedience
Grace	God's grace is emphasized as a gift to believers	God's laws require sacrifices for forgiveness
Justice	God's justice is seen as fair and righteous	God's laws include consequences for breaking them

New Testament - God's Character

In the New Testament, God's character is portrayed as loving, forgiving, and merciful. Jesus Christ, who is considered the central figure of the New Testament, teaches about God's unconditional love for all humanity. In the parable of the Prodigal Son, for example, Jesus illustrates God's willingness to forgive and welcome back those who have strayed. This portrayal of God's character emphasizes the importance of compassion, grace, and redemption.

Furthermore, the New Testament emphasizes the concept of grace, which is the idea that salvation is a gift from God that cannot be earned through good works. This contrasts with the Old Testament, where adherence to the law was seen as the primary means of pleasing God. In the New Testament, God's character is revealed through the life and teachings of Jesus, who exemplifies humility, selflessness, and sacrificial love.

Overall, the New Testament presents God as a loving and compassionate deity who desires a personal relationship with each individual. This portrayal of God's character emphasizes the importance of faith, love, and forgiveness in the Christian life.

Old Testament - God's Law

In contrast to the New Testament, the Old Testament focuses more on God's law and justice. The Old Testament contains the Ten Commandments, which are a set of moral and ethical guidelines that God gave to the Israelites through Moses. These commandments serve as the foundation for Jewish and Christian ethics, emphasizing the importance of honoring God, respecting others, and living a righteous life.

Throughout the Old Testament, God is often portrayed as a just and righteous judge who punishes those who disobey his commandments. The concept of divine retribution is a common theme in the Old Testament, with God rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked. This emphasis on obedience to God's law reflects a more legalistic approach to faith and morality.

Additionally, the Old Testament contains numerous stories of God's wrath and judgment, such as the flood in the time of Noah and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. These stories serve as warnings to the Israelites and remind them of the consequences of disobedience. The Old Testament presents God as a powerful and holy deity who demands obedience and reverence from his people.

Comparison

When comparing the attributes of God's character in the New Testament with God's law in the Old Testament, it is clear that there are significant differences in emphasis and tone. The New Testament highlights God's love, mercy, and grace, while the Old Testament focuses more on obedience to God's law and justice. While both portrayals are important aspects of God's nature, they serve different purposes in the overall message of the Bible.

• The New Testament emphasizes the importance of faith and relationship with God, highlighting the need for love, forgiveness, and compassion.
• The Old Testament, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of obedience to God's law and the consequences of disobedience.

Ultimately, both portrayals of God's character are essential for understanding the complexity of God's nature and the relationship between humanity and the divine. The New Testament reveals God's desire for a personal relationship with each individual, while the Old Testament establishes the moral and ethical framework for living a righteous life.

By studying both the New and Old Testaments, Christians can gain a deeper understanding of God's character and the principles that guide their faith and morality. While the emphasis may differ between the two, both portrayals ultimately point to a God who is just, loving, and merciful, offering salvation and redemption to all who seek it.