Reader Question- Why the Violence?

Hey Dan, I'm really not comfortable with god. This is because all of the violence that god either commands or explicitly permits in the bible. I just don't like praying to someone who has so much blood on his hands. Can you help with this?   -Sjoerd

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Thanks for writing in, Sjoerd. You're not the first to have a problem with this.

Violence is very present in the Bible, and also very problematic. There are numerous commands against it, numerous other commands for it. The name of God (YHWH, translated LORD in most English Bible translations) refered (pre-monotheism) to the Hebrew God of Armies, the "Lord of Hosts" we hear so much about. 

Being uncomfortable with all the violence means you're doing something right. The Biblical authors were nervous about it, too.

For instance, take King David. Later in his life, the King gets the idea to build a Temple for God, but is told that he can't, because he has spilled blood. And this is true, David had been a warlord for most of his life. But given that most of those battles had been fought at God's command (and often with God's help) it seems odd that such a thing would disqualify him, right?

The lesson that I take from this is that violence is never ideal, though it is sometimes necessary. 

Now the obvious response to THAT is, "Well, isn't God supposed to be all-powerful? So why do a thing with violence if God is all-powerful and could just do it another way?"

A very valid question, rhetorical straw-Reader! Here is my take on it... there are different forms of Violence, and some are worse than others. Assuming the All-Powerful thing, how ELSE could God correct the behavior of large groups of people?

Though the reasons are never particularly clear, its pretty obvious that God puts a lot of stock in free will. God will take drastic measures to change someones mind; ("You really ought to leave." "But I don't want to!" "There's a bloodthirsty army coming." "Oh, uh, maybe a change of scenery would be a good idea...") but God never seems quite willing to take the step of changing it for you. 

(Possible exception to this: in the instance of Pharaoh and King Saul, God DOES seem willing to turn stubbornness up to 11.)

Would Mind Control be preferable to violence? Not sure.

The World is a very complicated place, and answers to complicated problems are rarely simple. I believe the Bible shows a stated preference towards non-violence, though God is willing to use violence when called for, such as to free the oppressed, remove a tyrant, protect from invaders, etc. 

When we read about the violence, if it makes us uncomfortable, I think it is supposed to. I think there is a reason that even the God-mandated violence that David took part in disqualified him as a Temple Builder, why Prophets always tried to warn even hated people about violence before it ensued (Like Jonah's message to Nineveh, one of the most hated powers of the time.)

For believers, I think it is important to never forget that Violence is condemned in the Bible, even while being sometimes used. Some think of it as hypocrisy and that is certainly their right. I can't explain it away, or show why it's "all fine," because the Bible itself makes it clear that it isn't. I think the goal is to, someday, be free of all violence. I applaud that goal. I think I would have a much bigger problem with God if I knew of a way to solve all the world's problems without the use of force. 

As it is, I don't. In the meantime, I will continue working for peace.