Monthly Archives: May 2019

Concerning Violence in the Old Testament

Christian faith, deuteronomy/deuteronomism, ethics, interpretation, justice, love, violence, war and peace

“…you must utterly destroy them…” (Deut 7:2)

Many people, non-believer and believer alike, regard the Old Testament as particularly bellicose. For many, in fact, this perception justifies a devaluation of the Old Testament generally or especially in comparison to the New Testament. This entry will examine whether the Old Testament deserves its reputation for ruthless violence, especially with Continue reading Concerning Violence in the Old Testament →

“Blessed are those who mourn…” (Matt 5:4; cf. Luke 6:21)

mourning

Last week, our Chihuahua/Pug mix Lello passed. We got him from a rescue shelter several years ago, in February after my mother died in January. My wife had decided that our family needed some new life to help us work through our loss. I was against the idea, but she had found Lello online and showed me his picture. He reminded me very much of my Continue reading “Blessed are those who mourn…” (Matt 5:4; cf. Luke 6:21) →