Holy War in the Bible: Christian Morality and an Old Testament Problem - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 083083995X ISBN 13: 9780830839957

Publisher: IVP Academic, 2013

Synopsis

The challenge of a seemingly genocidal God who commands ruthless warfare has bewildered Bible readers for generations. The theme of divine war is not limited to the Old Testament historical books, however. It is also prevalent in the prophets and wisdom literature as well. Still it doesn’t stop. The New Testament book of Revelation, too, is full of such imagery. Our questions multiply.

• Why does God apparently tell Joshua to wipe out whole cities, tribes or nations?
• Is this yet another example of dogmatic religious conviction breeding violence?
• Did these texts help inspire or justify the Crusades?
• What impact do they have on Christian morality and just war theories today?
• How does divine warfare fit with Christ’s call to "turn the other cheek"?
• Why does Paul employ warfare imagery in his letters?
• Do these texts warrant questioning the overall trustworthiness of the Bible?

These controversial yet theologically vital issues call for thorough interpretation, especially given a long history of misinterpretation and misappropriaton of these texts. This book does more, however. A range of expert contributors engage in a multidisciplinary approach that considers the issue from a variety of perspectives: biblical, ethical, philosophical and theological. While the writers recognize that such a difficult and delicate topic cannot be resolved in a simplistic manner, the different threads of this book weave together a satisfying tapestry. Ultimately we find in the overarching biblical narrative a picture of divine redemption that shows the place of divine war in the salvific movement of God.

About this title

About the Author

Heath Thomas (PhD, University of Gloucestershire) is Dean of the Hobbs College for Theology and Ministry, and Professor of Old Testament at Oklahoma Baptist University. He also serves as fellow in Old Testament Studies at the St. George's Centre for Biblical and Public Theology in Ontario, Canada. He is the author or editor of a number of books: A Manifesto for Theological Interpretation (with Craig G. Bartholomew; Baker Academic), Poetry and Theology in the Book of Lamentations (Sheffield Phoenix), Holy War in the Bible: Christian Morality and an Old Testament Problem (with Paul Copan and Jeremy Evans; IVP Academic), Great is Thy Faithfulness? Toward Reading Lamentations as Christian Scripture(with Robin Parry; Pickwick Press) 'Until He Looks Down and Sees': The Message and Meaning of the Book of Lamentations (Grove Books). He has forthcoming volumes on Habakkuk (Eerdmans) and the Minor Prophets (with Craig Bartholomew, IVP Academic). 

Review

"The articles, on the whole, are in dialogue with salient scholarship, and the footnotes will serve as fertile ground for additional research. . . . the book moves the discussion forward." (William L. Lyons, Theological Studies, Vol. 75, no. 3)

"[T]he book serves as a valuable resource on this difficult issue. . . . it has definitely advanced the discussion." (Guenther "Gene" Haas, Review of Biblical Literature, February 2014)

"[A] series of thoughtful essays. . . . Given that the contributors do not always agree with one another, no one should expect to treat this volume as the last word on this complex subject. However, fresh light is shone on the major issues and one hopes that it might at least be a step on the way." (David G. Firth, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 38/1, 2014)

"While God does not need to be rescued from false caricatures, his followers do need reinforcements to withstand the faith-shaking attacks from New Atheists and others. This book provides helpful biblical, historical, theological, and philosophical reinforcements." (Stephen J. Lennox, Bulletin for Biblical Research, 24.2)

"This is an excellent resource for the scholar, student, pastor, or Bible student who seeks to know more about the concept of holy war in the Bible." (Matthew James Hamilton, Bible Study Magazine, September/October 2013)

Edition details

• Publisher: IVP Academic
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 083083995X
• ISBN 13: 9780830839957
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 352
• Editor: Thomas Heath A., Evans Jeremy A., Copan Paul