The Three Layers of Harem in Joshua

Tim Stafford: You spent some time dealing with the harem, if I'm pronouncing it correctly, commands to devote everything. And one of the things that was kind of beautiful was how you were showing how later biblical writers never understood those to be commanding genocide but rather they were warring against idolatry or the temptation to idolatry. Tim Stafford: There are two layers at which you have well, three layers at whichyou have to deal with the question of harem.

Transcript

chevron_right

Play full episode

chevron_right

Transcript

Episode notes

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

Join the conversation and deepen your understanding of the Old Testament. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and follow Voxology Podcast on social media to stay connected.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy