Richard’s Book Club: “Is God a Moral Monster?”
If we’re honest, many of us have read passages in the Bible that left us puzzled… or even disturbed.
What do we do with:
Strange food laws and purity rules?
Texts that seem to support the oppression of women?
Commands that appear harsh or violent?
Words from Paul like, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters…”?
Old Testament accounts where God tells His people to destroy entire nations?
Questions like these can shake our confidence, trouble our conscience, and make us wonder:
What kind of God are we dealing with?
Some people avoid these passages altogether. Others wrestle so deeply that their faith begins to crumble. But as followers of Jesus, we don’t need to be afraid of hard questions. We can bring them into the light—together.
A Book for Tough Old Testament Questions
This winter, Rev. Richard Jackson is inviting us into a thoughtful and honest exploration of these issues through Richard’s Book Club. (See the announcement video here)
We’ll be reading and discussing:
Is God a Moral Monster?
Making Sense of the Old Testament God
by Paul Copan
In this book, Copan carefully examines some of the most challenging accusations made against the God of the Bible—especially the Old Testament. He responds to claims like those of atheist Richard Dawkins, who has famously described the Old Testament God in extremely harsh terms.
Rather than ignoring the problem, Copan helps us ask:
Are we reading these passages in context?
What did they mean in their original time and culture?
How do they fit within the larger story of Scripture and the character of God revealed in Jesus?
How can we respond when others challenge our faith on these issues?
When and How We’ll Meet
Start Date: Tuesday, January 21
Time: 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Format: Online via Zoom
Each session will include:
A friendly, open atmosphere
Guided discussion around assigned chapters
Time for questions, wrestling, and honest reflection
Space to grow in understanding and confidence in your faith
You don’t need to be a Bible expert to join—just curious, willing to listen, and open to learning.
Worried About the Cost of the Book?
We don’t want money to be a barrier for anyone who would like to participate.
If the cost of the book is difficult for you right now, please speak with Rev. Richard.
We will gladly help cover the cost so you can still be part of the group.
How to Join
If you’re interested in joining the Book Club, simply send an email to:
📧 richard.jackson@firstmoncton.com
Pastor Richard will:
Confirm your registration
Send you the Zoom link
Let you know which chapters to read for the first session
Why This Study Matters
If you’ve ever:
Avoided certain Old Testament passages
Struggled with how to reconcile God’s love with stories of judgment
Been asked tough questions by a friend, coworker, or family member
Wondered how to think about these issues as a follower of Jesus
…then this study is for you.
Our hope is that, as we walk through Is God a Moral Monster? together, you will:
Gain a deeper understanding of the Bible
Grow in confidence in the goodness and justice of God
Be better equipped to talk about your faith in an honest and thoughtful way
You don’t have to wrestle with these questions alone.
Come join the conversation.