[This is the fifth in a multi-part series on violence in Joshua. Here are parts One, Two, Three, and Four] In his 2003 essay on Joshua in the book Show Them No Mercy, Tremper Longman III draws an enlightening yet disturbing comparison between the extremist ideology of Osama bin Laden and that expressed in the […]
Joshua and Violence (Part 4): Two Stories of ‘Conquest’
[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 […]