Many Christians live with a divided view of God—one foot in the Old Testament, one in the New. They believe in Jesus but still carry an image of God as wrathful, ready to rain down fire and judgment like He did on Sodom and Gomorrah.

This is often referred to as dualism or theological dualism. In this case, it’s a theological dualism of God’s character, where people hold two seemingly contradictory views of God: one as a God of wrath and the other as a God of grace.

But there’s a fundamental problem: Jesus is the full and final revelation of God (Hebrews 1:3).

If we see God any differently than how Jesus revealed Him, we are seeing a distorted image. And that distortion has consequences—on how we relate to God, how we see ourselves, and how we live out our faith.

A.W Tozer once said: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us."

Your lens and perspective matters.

Jesus Is the Exact Representation of God

The Bible is not a flat book. It is a progressive revelation of God’s nature, culminating in Christ. The Old Testament gives glimpses, but Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). Hebrews 1:3 makes it plain: "The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word."

If Jesus is the exact representation of God, that means anything we believe about God must align with Jesus. If we think God acts in ways contrary to Jesus—sending plagues, consuming sinners with fire, orchestrating destruction—we are contradicting the very purpose of Christ’s coming: to show us who the Father truly is (John 14:9).

The Consequences of a Wrong Lens

Believing in an Old Testament-style God of judgment while claiming to follow Jesus creates serious theological and practical issues:

1. It Keeps Us in Fear, Not Sonship

Many Christians live in low-level anxiety about whether they’ve “gone too far” for God’s mercy. They see Him as a temperamental judge rather than a loving Father. But Jesus revealed a God who runs toward the prodigal, embraces sinners, and dines with tax collectors. If we still picture God as ready to smite us, we will never rest in the peace and security of sonship (Romans 8:15).

Fear says, 'I have to earn God's love.' Sonship says, 'I am His, and His love is unearned.'

2. It Twists Our View of Trials and Suffering

If we believe God still sends disasters as judgment, we will misinterpret suffering. Instead of seeing trials as opportunities for growth or as attacks of the enemy, we assume God is “teaching us a lesson” by afflicting us. This leads to passive faith—enduring hardship instead of standing in victory, resisting the enemy, and walking in the abundant life Jesus promised (John 10:10).

When we view suffering through the lens of judgment, we miss the invitation to growth and breakthrough.

3. It Leads to Praying for Judgment Instead of Redemption

James and John once asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven, just like Elijah did (Luke 9:54). They had biblical precedent! But Jesus rebuked them saying, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” (Luke 9:55-56)

If Jesus refused to call down fire, what makes us think God still operates that way? When we see God through the wrong lens, we justify praying for judgment on cities, nations, or even individuals, rather than praying for their transformation.

The kingdom of God isn’t about fire from heaven, but fire in our hearts—purifying us to love as Jesus loved.

4. It Undermines the Power of the Cross

Jesus took the full weight of sin, wrath, and judgment upon Himself (Isaiah 53:5, 2 Corinthians 5:21). If we believe God is still in the business of punishing sin through disasters and suffering, then we are saying the cross was not enough. But Jesus said, “It is finished.” Either He bore the wrath of God fully, or He didn’t. There is no middle ground.

The cross didn’t just reveal God’s heart toward us; it revealed the fullness of His sacrifice to remove all separation.

5. It Hinders True Transformation

When people believe God is harsh and punitive, they either rebel or obey out of fear. But fear does not produce true transformation—only love does. The Bible says: “It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance.” (Romans 2:4)

A distorted view of God keeps people at arm’s length from Him. But when they see Him as He truly is—revealed in Jesus—they are drawn into real intimacy, where transformation naturally flows.

Love invites us to change, but fear chains us to our past.

God Is Better Than We Think

Does this mean God never judges? Don't be foolish. We all know there is a coming final day of judgement. But His judgment today looks like giving people over to what they insist on choosing (Romans 1:24-28). The fire of God in the New Covenant is not about destruction—it’s about purification (Hebrews 12:29).

Jesus didn't change God. He revealed God. The cross wasn’t God’s change of heart toward humanity—it was humanity finally seeing God's heart clearly.

If our image of God doesn’t look exactly like Jesus, it’s time to let go of the old lens and step into the freedom, peace, and joy of seeing Him as He truly is.

When we let go of the old lens, we find a God who is better than we ever imagined—loving, kind, and full of grace.

God is better than we think—our challenge is believing it.

The question is: Will we trust the image of God that Jesus revealed?

Further reading: Has God Changed? Understanding Judgement, Grace, and The Work of Christ