Gott des Friedens - Gott der Gewalt Theologische Ambivalenzen im Neuen Testament

Abstract

The present article (God of peace – God of violence. Theological ambivalences in the New Testament) examines the contradictory portrayals of God as both peaceful and violent in the New Testament. By taking into consideration perspectives from Plato, Philo of Alexandria, and Marcion of Sinope different views on divine violence are presented. These are contrasted with New Testament texts, focusing on the Sermon on the Mount's message of unlimited love and the Book of Revelation's depiction of divine vengeance. The study highlights the complex theological and ethical implications of these portrayals, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of Scripture within its historical and cultural contexts.