In his book “The God Delusion,” Richard Dawkins (a famous atheist) writes:

“The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully.”

So is this a fair description of the God of the Bible? On the surface, it may look that way, but let’s examine Mr. Dawkins’ claims more closely.

The Problem

“What about all those Canaanites that God ordered to be wiped out?” people scream, “isn’t that proof that God is a sadistic madman?” If you’re saying that, I believe you’re being short-sighted. God has very good reasons for what he does. The Canaanites had 400 years to stop sacrificing their children to Moloch, and they refused to stop it, so God put a stop to it. It was the fall of man that brought about the state of death and decay in the world. It wasn’t part of God’s original plan. When God created beings with free will, He created the possibility of evil. Self-aware creatures are free to commit good or evil acts. You’d have to be omnipotent yourself to know all the millions of ways things play out in people’s lives to be an accurate judge of God.

“What about God’s command to Abraham to kill his son?” Isn’t that a perfect example of how mean God is? People forget that God DID intervene and provided a ram for the sacrifice in Isaac’s place. This story is not about God’s cruelty; it’s about trust, obedience, and provision. The story is about a test of faith, not a demand for murder. God never intended to harm Isaac; His intention was for Abraham’s growth. This story is a foreshadowing of the Gospel, the record of God’s plan of redemption for mankind, where God provided His Son, Jesus, as the sacrifice in our place.

“But what about Uzzah, the poor guy who was killed for touching the Ark of the Covenant? Wasn’t God unfair to kill him for that?” In this scenario in the Old Testament, King David brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Judah from Philistine lands. He did not follow God’s direct instructions for transporting and handling the Ark (see 2 Samuel 6:1–7 and 1 Chronicles 13:9–12). God killed Uzzah when the ox stumbled, and he took hold of the Ark so it wouldn’t fall. God takes the issue of His holiness and the requirement for reverence of His commands very seriously. God had described exactly how the Ark was to be built and how it was to be handled and carried in Old Testament passages such as Exodus 25:14–15 and Deuteronomy 10:8. He also warned the Levite priests that capital punishment would be the consequence if they touched anything holy.

“And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.” (Numbers 4:15)

By this incident and others of God punishing people for irreverence and disobedience (such as another incident of profaning the Ark written in 1 Samuel 6:19), God shows people there are dire consequences for their lack of respect for His holiness. [2].

It is difficult to understand why God would order such harsh punishment, such as the stoning of disobedient children in Leviticus 20:9 and Deuteronomy 21:18–21, for seemingly mild crimes. God judged these children severely for several reasons:

1. These were extreme examples of contempt of parental authority. If left unchecked, it would have led to the death of the family, law, and order. So the question is: Who or what should die? The rebel or the family and society?
2. The life of a rebel inevitably leads to the grave (see Proverbs 30:17); he will die an early death, and probably take others with him (see https://chalcedon.edu/magazine/stoning-disobedient-children)
3. Rebellious children brought this punishment on themselves. They knew what they were supposed to do, and did not do it (see https://www.gotquestions.org/stone-rebellious-children.html).

The book of Job is a good example of someone who did everything right as far as being obedient and righteous, and still got the short end of the stick. In the end, Job learned that God is sovereign, not just a magic genie who gives out answers when rubbed the right way. God doesn’t have to answer to anyone, ever. He is the infinite Creator with all knowledge and power, and He has very good reasons for what He does. My small, finite mind has only a tiny part of all the knowledge of the past, present, and future, and none of all the millions of factors that interplay in people’s lives.

The Reality of the Situation

So, is Richard Dawkins’ indictment against the holy God of the Bible true? Many people think so these days. However, I would like to stick up for Almighty God, the Creator of the Universe, and say “it ain’t so!” God has darn good reasons for what He does and what He allows to happen.

It may not occur to people that God hasn’t solved all their problems yet because He’s trying to teach them something through them. Maybe He wants people to have more faith in Him (since after all, He has infinite knowledge, loves you, and can be trusted). Or maybe He wants people to see that their character needs building. Maybe He wants people to have less pride, more humility, and more dependence on Him. 

I’m tired of listening to people give God a bad rap. I don’t understand why they don’t remember all the good things God has done and continues to do daily. Here is a list people can refer to as a reminder of God’s wonderful grace, mercy, and love.

1. God created the world and gave life. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1. The constants of physics (such as gravitational force, strong and weak nuclear forces, just right position in our galaxy, large planets existing to shield Earth from meteors, etc.) seem to have been very finely adjusted to make life possible on Earth.
2. God brought beauty, order, and purpose into existence.
3. Humanity was created in His image, with dignity and value.
4. God showed mercy after the Fall. Even after Adam and Eve sinned, God clothed them (Genesis 3:21) and promised a Savior (Genesis 3:15). He didn’t abandon them — He began a redemptive plan.
5. God made Covenants to bless, not destroy, with Noah: promised never to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:11), and with Abraham: promised to bless all nations through his offspring, with David: promised an eternal King (2 Samuel 7:16).
6. God gave us His Word: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105) Scripture reveals God’s character, will, and plan for salvation. It brings wisdom, comfort, and guidance.
7. God delivered His people from oppression. He rescued Israel from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). He performed miracles, parted the Red Sea, and provided manna in the wilderness, showing that He cares about justice and freedom.
8. God constantly sent prophets — not to condemn, but to warn, heal, and restore. He gave people countless chances to repent and return to Him.
9. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ. “God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” ( John 3:16). Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, taught truth, and forgave sins. He died for our sins and rose again, offering eternal life. Through Jesus, we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
10. God gave us the Holy Spirit. “The Helper, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things…” (John 14:26). God is present with believers, guiding, comforting, and empowering them.
11. God builds a global family. People from every nation, tribe, and language are invited into His family (Revelation 7:9). Unity in Christ overcomes division.
12. God promises to make all things new. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 21:4). God will end death, pain, and evil forever. A new Heaven and earth will be our eternal home.

The following scripture is all that’s needed to rebut the rants of Richard Dawkins against God.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8–9)

References:

1. Right Motives Matter to God
2. Was the Death of Uzzah Unfair?