The Law of Purification and Sacrifice

Are you somebody that sees Old Testament law as examples of wisdom rather than codifications of penal code or something? Yeah, legislative code. I think for the most part, yes. Certainly the sort of social law seems like was understood that way. The entire book of Ruth in some ways is a meditation on the law through the story of this woman, Ruth, who's a mobite. And so according to Deuteronomy 23, she should be excluded from the community.

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Delve into the complexities of Old Testament violence and discover how reframing these challenging narratives reveals the Shalom of God. Mike Erre and Tim Stafford are joined by Dr. Matthew Lynch, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Regent College and author of Flood and Fury, to explore how stories like the Flood, the Nephilim, and the conquest of Canaan can be understood in the context of God's restorative justice and peace.

Key Takeaways: • Reassessing the Flood Narrative – Rethinking traditional perspectives on the Flood, seeing God's role as the preserver of life rather than a destroyer. • Violence and Monotheism in Genesis – How monotheism shapes the portrayal of violence in the Old Testament, contrasting with ancient Near Eastern myths. • The Enigma of the Nephilim – Exploring the mysterious figures of the Nephilim and their significance in connecting the Flood narrative to the conquest of Canaan. • Reinterpreting 'Herem' and the Conquest Commands – Understanding how later biblical authors viewed commands to "devote to destruction," focusing on removing idolatry instead of people. • Approaching Difficult Biblical Texts Today – Practical guidance on engaging with challenging Old Testament passages without losing faith, embracing complexity and exploration.

Guest Highlights: Dr. Matthew Lynch – Old Testament scholar and author of Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God. Dr. Lynch shares insightful perspectives on how to read troubling biblical texts in a way that highlights God's desire for restoration and peace.

Resources Mentioned: • Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God by Matthew Lynch – [Purchase Link] • Regent College – www.regent-college.edu • The Brick Testament – www.bricktestament.com

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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