Which statement about the Old Testament's view of God is supported by the material?

• A. It portrays a distant, unapproachable deity
• B. It depicts a loving and Holy God who calls His people to holiness
• C. It presents a deity who is merely punitive
• D. It has no moral teachings

Answer: (B)

The main idea being tested is that the Old Testament presents God as both holy and loving, and as a God who invites His people into a life of holiness. The material portrays God as morally perfect and set apart (holy), and at the same time deeply committed to His people with steadfast love and mercy. This isn’t a distant, absent deity; it’s a God who enters into relationship through covenants, speaks through the law, and calls Israelites to live in a way that reflects His character.

Holiness shows up in the clear standard the law sets for living rightly before God and others. Being holy means God’s people are to reflect His purity, justice, and distinctiveness from other nations. The insistence on holiness isn’t just about rules; it’s about living in a way that matches who God is. The theme of God’s steadfast love—His loyal, covenant faithfulness—appears repeatedly, showing that His holiness is balanced by mercy and patience toward Israel, even when they struggle to live up to the standard.

Prophets reinforce this point by urging moral righteousness and fidelity to the covenant, underscoring that true worship and life before God go hand in hand with holy living. So the best-supported view is that God is loving and holy and calls His people to holiness, rather than portraying Him as distant, punitive only, or lacking moral teaching altogether.