Please read the responses from our pastoral team:

1.  From Shaymala Raveendran:
   How we reconcile the God of the Old Testament with the God of the New Testament is often viewed through the lens of one God whose character of love and judgment is revealed and intensified in the New Testament through Jesus Christ’s atoning work. This perspective emphasizes that God’s unchanging character is consistent throughout both testaments, but the context and manner of His relationship with humanity evolves. The cross of Jesus is seen as the ultimate resolution, fully revealing both God’s intense love and righteous judgment.The Single, Unchanging God
   One God:
   There is only one God, whose nature does not change and who cannot lie or contradict Himself. The God of the Old Testament is the same God as in the New Testament.Consistency in Character:
   Both testaments portray God as both loving and just, with steadfast love for those who fear Him and a decree that does not clear the guilty.Jesus as Revelation:
   Jesus, the central figure of the New Testament, consistently points to God the Father, stating, “I and my Father are one”.

   The Evolving Revelation of God
   Intensified Themes:
   While often perceived as one a God of judgment and the other of love, both love and judgment are intensified as you move from the Old to the New Testament.

   Context of Operation:
   God operated differently in the Old Testament, but this was not a change in His fundamental character. His actions were within a specific historical and covenantal context.

   Redemption and Grace:
   The New Testament focuses on God’s extended mercy and grace, made possible through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.

   The Cross as the Resolution
   Resolution of Opposing Themes:
   The cross of Jesus serves as the point where both God’s righteous judgment against sin and His profound love for humanity are fully resolved.

   The Foundation of Reconciliation:
   Through Christ’s sacrifice, the means of reconciliation between God and humanity was established, requiring a response of faith and repentance from individuals.
   Thank you

2. From Sammy Mwatha
   
   It may be challenging to reconcile the portrayal of God in the two testaments. For example, in one moment, God (Old Testament) is wiping out entire cities. In the next, God through Jesus (New Testament) is blessing the poor and also turning the other cheek in humility and also asking us to do the same to those who hurt or persecute us.
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   ‎The Bible does not present us with two different deities. It reveals one unchanging God, who is progressively unveiled throughout the story of creation, the fall and redemption. As God himself declares in Malachi 3:6, “I the Lord do not change.”
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   ‎Key perspectives for reconciliation between the two pictures include recognizing God’s unchanging nature, seeing the NT as the explanation and fulfillment of the OT, and understanding that the cross of Christ is the ultimate revelation of both God’s judgment and his profound love.
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   ‎In the Old Testament, God establishes his holiness and justice through a covenant people. In the New Testament, he fulfills his mercy and redemption through the person of Christ.
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   ‎From Genesis to Revelation, we’re watching one unified story unfold—and through it all, we’re encountering the same God with the same heart.
3. From Moosa Dhlamini
   How we can reconcile themSame God, different covenants:
   In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself through Israel’s history, law, and covenant. His justice and holiness are emphasized. In the New Testament, the covenant of grace through Christ highlights God’s mercy and love—but justice hasn’t disappeared. It’s fulfilled at the cross.Progressive revelation:
   God doesn’t change, but our understanding of Him deepens. The prophets saw glimpses, while in Jesus, we see the fullness (Hebrews 1:1–3).Justice and love are not opposites:
   In both Testaments, God is both just and loving.

   Old Testament: alongside judgment, we see His compassion (Exodus 34:6, Hosea 11).

   New Testament: Alongside grace, we still see judgment (Acts 5 with Ananias and Sapphira, Revelation).

   The Cross as the bridge:
   The “wrath” of the Old Testament and the “love” of the New meet at the cross—God’s justice against sin and His love for sinners are both satisfied in Christ.

   God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow [forever]