Is God Violent?

Most of us would say we want to avoid violence. We long for peace—in our homes, our communities, and the world. But if we’re honest, many of us were taught a version of God that doesn’t always align with that longing.

In fact, some of our ideas about God are rooted in divine violence.

Maybe you were told not to question the violent passages in Scripture—stories where God seems to command destruction, approve of war, or demand sacrifice. Maybe you were taught that Jesus’ death was something God needed in order to forgive humanity. And maybe, even now, there’s a part of you that still believes if God acts violently, there must be a good reason for it.

But what if that tension you feel when reading those passages or hearing those teachings isn’t doubt to suppress—but curiosity to follow?

If the idea of a violent God makes you uncomfortable, that might actually be a good sign.

Because here’s the thing: If we worship a violent God, it becomes much easier to justify violent behavior in God’s name. If we become like what we worship, then clarifying what God is really like matters deeply.

Yes, the Bible portrays moments of divine violence. That’s true. But the bigger question is:

Is that really who God is?

Have we misunderstood the text—or the God behind it?

And if we have misunderstood, what does that mean for how we live?

These are the kinds of questions we explore in our latest guide, Violence in the Bible. We don’t promise easy answers, but we do offer honest reflection and a framework for curiosity—because brushing discomfort aside shouldn’t be our long-term plan. Not when the stakes are this high.

If we want to raise kids who value peace, if we want to live out a faith that reflects love and justice, then these questions matter.

And we believe they’re worth exploring—together.