Is God a Moral Monster? ch. 9

I again am challenged in my theological commitments in this chapter. I both like and dislike that Copan tries to show Israel's law as being less barbaric than the surrounding cultures. He tries to demonstrate that, though harsh, the laws were an improvement over the flawed structures of the ANE culture. He shows the graciousness of these laws (remember this person you are beating is your brother) as well as demonstrating that these laws were "do not exceed" policies of punishment rather than decrees. That was helpful.