I just listened to your podcast "Yahweh and the Ancient Gods." You mention the fact that the ancient gods sinned just like humans. One of the sins you mention is vengeance. But the God of the Bible takes vengeance, too. I would have loved to hear you elaborate on why God taking vengeance is different. Of course we can't say: "because he is God." I think that would be a circular argument. What would I say to someone who thinks their god is god too, and so he is justified in taking vengeance as well?
When God is described as exacting vengeance, this is simply an outworking of his justice. The sort of pagan vengeance I am referring to is revenge – the mean-spirited desire to get even. It is spite. Paul illustrates this very well in the second half of Romans chapter 1 (vss. 24, 26, 28). How is God's wrath being revealed? When he turns us over to the natural consequences of our sin, no extra punishment is necessary. Our own sin rebukes us! I am referring to a cool verse in Jeremiah (2:19). See also Ps 7:11. This is not to water down the rightful wrath of God, for example at the Judgment Day. If God were not angry at sin, he would not be a righteous deity. (Can you imagine a righteous human remaining neutral if his wife was raped?) Emotion is required, and ultimately action is required, too.
