Many Christian sects today believe that Yahweh, the God of the Old Testament, is the same as the Father whom Jesus speaks of in the New Testament. This assumption has led to centuries of theological confusion and contradiction. My intent is not to offend but to invite critical reflection, using both biblical and Gnostic texts to shed light on this profound topic.

Yahweh in the Old Testament: A God of War and Judgment

The Old Testament portrays Yahweh as a deity of strict justice, war, and judgment. Consider the story of the plagues of Egypt, where Yahweh takes the lives of the firstborn children in Egypt (Exodus 12:29–30). Similarly, the flood narrative in Genesis 6:5–7 describes Yahweh’s decision to wipe out humanity, sparing only Noah and his family. These acts, while described as just within the text, seem at odds with the merciful and loving Father revealed by Jesus.

In Judges 11:30–40, Jephthah vows to sacrifice the first person who comes out of his house if Yahweh grants him victory over the Ammonites. Tragically, his daughter becomes the subject of this vow, and Yahweh neither intervenes nor condemns the act. This silence raises critical questions: Does a God of love demand human sacrifice?

Even Leviticus 27:28–29 states:

“No one who has been set apart as an offering to the Lord—whether a human being, an animal, or family land—may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the Lord. No person devoted to destruction may be ransomed; they are to be put to death.”

This paints Yahweh as a God who not only accepts but expects such offerings. Is this consistent with the Father of Jesus, who calls humanity to mercy and forgiveness?

Jesus on Yahweh: A Different Perspective

Jesus’ teachings often critique the rigid and punitive religious systems tied to Yahweh worship. In John 8:44, Jesus confronts the Pharisees, saying:

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.”

Some interpret this statement as a rejection of the Pharisees’ adherence to a deity that Jesus does not recognize as His Father. Instead, Jesus points to a higher, transcendent God of love, whom He describes as the true Father:

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).

This is not the language of Yahweh, a deity who commands the slaughter of nations and the destruction of innocents. Instead, it reflects the Gnostic understanding of a supreme God—one of light, love, and truth.

The Gnostic Perspective: Yahweh as the Demiurge

Gnostic texts provide a striking alternative view. They depict Yahweh not as the ultimate God but as the Demiurge—a powerful but flawed being who created the material world and claimed to be the only deity. In The Apocryphon of John, Yahweh declares:

“I am a jealous God, and there is no God but me!”

The text critiques this arrogance, suggesting Yahweh is ignorant of the true, ineffable God who exists beyond the material world. Gnostics viewed the Old Testament narratives of war and sacrifice as the actions of a lesser, limited being attempting to enforce control over humanity.

The Father of Jesus: A God of Light and Love

In contrast to Yahweh, the Father of Jesus is described as a God of compassion, truth, and liberation. In The Gospel of Thomas (Saying 77), Jesus reveals the omnipresence of this divine source:

“I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there.”

This teaching points to a God who is not confined to a temple or a specific people but is present in all creation. The Father calls us to an inner awakening, to find the divine spark within and rise above the illusions of the material world.

Reconciling the Contradictions

If we are to reconcile the apparent contradictions between Yahweh and the Father of Jesus, we must critically examine the texts. The Old Testament’s Yahweh, with his demands for war, sacrifice, and judgment, aligns more with the characteristics of the Demiurge described in Gnostic writings. The Father revealed by Jesus, on the other hand, invites us to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44), forgive without limit (Matthew 18:22), and seek the kingdom of God within ourselves (Luke 17:21).

Moving Toward Truth

Understanding these differences is not about discarding tradition but deepening our spiritual awareness. Jesus’ teachings challenge us to move beyond blind adherence to inherited beliefs and to seek the truth with open hearts and minds.

As The Gospel of Philip states:

“Ignorance is the mother of all evil. Ignorance will result in death, because those who come from ignorance neither were nor are nor shall be. But those who are in the truth will be perfect when all the truth is revealed.”

Let us strive for this perfection by seeking the true God of light and love—the Father whom Jesus came to reveal.