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A Change of Allegiance  /  Chapter 4, The God of the Bible  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 2
The chapter insists the Old Testament portrays God as a warrior (Exodus 15:3) and not a pacifist; what do you think Taylor wants you to conclude about God’s character from that label, and what parts of modern Christian speech about God does it directly challenge?
Another way to ask: The chapter says the Old Testament shows God as a warrior, not a pacifist. What do you think Taylor wants you to learn about what God is like, and what common Christian ways of talking about God does this challenge?

Direct Answer Taylor wants the reader to conclude that the God of Scripture is actively committed to justice and the establishment of His kingdom, not passive or morally indifferent. Calling God a “warrior” challenges modern talk that treats God as universally non-judgmental, all-accepting, and opposed to any form of punishment.

Support from Transcript:

  • He states plainly: “I did not find in the Old Testament a pacifist God at all… I found that the Scriptures portray God as a warrior.”
  • He anchors it with Exodus 15:3: “The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is his name.”
  • He connects “warrior” to God’s holiness: God is “separate… above and beyond humans in morality, justice, righteousness, and love,” and “perfect, non-compromising, non-changing, and just.”
  • He critiques liberal portrayals: God “would never condemn or hurt anyone,” doesn’t punish, and Jesus is framed as bringing “universal… non-judgmental, all-accepting salvation for everyone.”
  • He later ties God’s zeal to kingdom purposes: in the New Covenant God is still “holy and zealous to establish His kingdom as He ever was.”
Discussion Follow-ups Do you speak of God in ways that avoid judgment, zeal, or warfare language? What biblical language have you silently ruled out as “unhelpful” or “un-Christlike”?

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