[This is the fourth in a multi-part series on Joshua and Violence. To catch up, read Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3] The battle of Jericho exerts a powerful hold on the imagination of Jews and Christians. It shows up in most kids Bibles, and thus from an early age shapes opinions about the book’s […]
Joshua and Violence (Part 3): Negotiating with the Enemy
[This is part 3 of a multi-part series on Joshua and Violence. Click HERE for part 1 and HERE for part 2] Today is Maundy Thursday, a day when Christians remember and re-enact the last supper. Upon re-reading the episode in Luke 22, I’m reminded of Jesus’ willingness to share a meal with a known enemy, one from his most […]
Violence in Joshua (Part 2): Wielding the Sword
[This is the second in a multi-part blog series on violence in Joshua. For Part 1, click HERE] Joshua is at once an ethical challenge for many adults and a delight to many kids. My son recently told me Joshua was his favourite book. The ambush of Ai in Joshua 8 sealed the deal. Joshua […]
Joshua and Violence (Part 1)
I was once asked to lead a Bible study at my church. I agreed before learning that the subject was ‘Genocide in the Bible.’ I’d never before taught on the subject, and in fact, I had very little teaching experience in general at that point. So I did the logical thing, I opened the book […]
How to Burn Down Your House
(on fixing the problems of violence and wrath in the Bible) When preparing to teach on violence in the Old Testament recently I was reminded of a book review I once read. The reviewer recounted his neighbour’s efforts to remove a grease stain from his garage floor. The neighbour dumped a few gallons of gasoline […]