Some people mistakenly believe that the God of the New Testament (NT) differs from the God of the Old Testament (OT).

They see the God of the OT as unpredictable, moody, and hot-tempered, while they see the God of the NT as a judge-free, grace-giving father who spoils his children.

So does the Bible present us with two conflicting Gods? The good God of the NT and to use the words of a prominent atheist author Richard Dawkins – “a moral monster and bully” of the OT.

No. The Bible presents one God, and it becomes clear through progressive revelation in the Bible that God is both ‘gracious’ and ‘just.’ Both the OT and NT depict these qualities.

While it is true that God’s grace is clearly shown in the New Testament, culminating at the cross of Jesus Christ, it does not mean that the God of the Old Testament did not demonstrate grace.

From the very beginning, in the book of Genesis, God’s grace is evident in the Garden of Eden; after Adam and Eve’s collapse to sin, God still pursues them with grace instead of wiping them out.

A similar theme runs throughout the Old Testament. God graciously tolerates Israel despite their repeated rebellion as well as other nations, such as Sodom and Gomorrah, where He was willing to spare the city for 10 righteous people’s sake.

Now just as God’s grace is seen in the OT, His justice is evident in the NT as well.

For instance, Jesus clearing the temple in John 2 or the hardening of Jewish hearts in Romans 11, not to mention the book Revelation describing God’s final justice and judgment during the end times.

In conclusion, the Bible does not portray a dual-headed God, but it unveils to us the totality of God’s whole nature. God is both just and full of grace.