“If God had said “The wages of sin is a slap on the wrist”, then I would have been fine with that as God’s justice.”
FK, why do the wages of sin being death necessaily require that God is the author of death? Is God’s justice death? I can see God allowing it as merciful, but just? Why isn’t this concept the parent of atheism?
“To eliminate the God who metes our justice is to eliminate the God revealed to us in the OT. I don’t see that as a good option. :)”
I’ll grant you that it will eliminate a Western misconception of the God revealed to us in the OT. Personally, I see that as a good thing. :)
Well, the sin is against God, and someone has to carry out the punishment ("pay the wages"). Who else would do it if not God? Plus, this is clearly how the text of the OT portrays it. God took lives, a lot of them.
Is God’s justice death?
Sometimes, yes. Jesus also demonstrated God's justice, such as with the adulterous woman, so it isn't always about death.
Why isn’t this concept the parent of atheism?
I don't know why it would be. An all powerful God creates His creatures and they are His to do with as He pleases. Fortunately, He decided to save some, and all who come to Him will be saved. At the same time the wicked will be judged for their sins and forever separated from God. I don't see how any of this would lead to atheism.
FK: “To eliminate the God who metes our justice is to eliminate the God revealed to us in the OT. I don’t see that as a good option. :)”
I’ll grant you that it will eliminate a Western misconception of the God revealed to us in the OT. Personally, I see that as a good thing. :)
So, do I take it that you don't think God did all those things the text says He did in the OT?