S2 Ep1109: Understanding the Hebraic Thought World of the Bible and How the Old Testament Challenges Classism: Dr. Dru Johnson
Sep 7, 2023
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Dr. Dru Johnson, visiting associate professor at Hope College, discusses the Hebraic thought world, classism in the Old Testament, and the theology of women. They explore the skinhead movement, journey towards theological education, and the principles of 'an eye for an eye.' They also analyze women's influence in the Bible and the message of Ecclesiastes.
Biblical literature portrays women in a more complex and empowering manner than commonly perceived, with female characters often being the ones who resolve conflicts and prevent harm.
The Hebrew Bible addresses topics related to scarcity, violence, and genetic propagation with a unique philosophical style, engaging with concepts similar to natural selection.
Deep dives
Exiles in Babylon Conference 2024
In the upcoming Exiles in Babylon Conference in 2024, various topics will be discussed, including deconstruction and the church. The conference aims to provide insights from individuals who have deconstructed their faith and others who may not have yet. Another key topic is women power and abuse in the church, addressing the significant issue of gender disparities and mistreatment within religious institutions. Faith and sexuality will also be explored, specifically focusing on how churches can create inclusive environments for LGBTQ or same-sex attracted Christians while adhering to traditional sexual ethics. Lastly, the conference will tackle the intersection of politics and the church, bringing together speakers of varying political leanings to engage in dialogue and promote understanding. The event aims to foster open, honest, and raw conversations, featuring leading thinkers in each field. Attendees can also look forward to worship led by Evan Wickham and Tineka Wyatt throughout the weekend. With its diverse topics and perspectives, the conference promises to be a thought-provoking and enriching experience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to register and be a part of this enlightening event in Boise, Idaho. (silence)
Women's Representation in Biblical Literature
The podcast episode explores the portrayal of women in biblical literature. The speaker discusses the complexity and moral ambiguity surrounding female characters, using the example of Tamar in Genesis 38. While some Jewish commentary interprets Tamar's actions as crafty and sinister, others perceive her as a morally ambiguous character. The larger discussion highlights how biblical literature actually gives more credit to women than commonly perceived, with women often depicted as the ones who settle conflicts and prevent harm in narratives like Judges and Samuel.
Biblical Authors' View on Natural Selection
The podcast delves into the relationship between the biblical authors and the concept of natural selection. The speaker argues that the Hebrew Bible contains a philosophical style of reasoning that is distinct from Greek or Enlightenment philosophy. They highlight how the Bible engages with topics of scarcity, violence, genetic propagation, and fit to environment, similar to Darwin's theory of natural selection. The speaker suggests that the biblical authors had a unique view on natural selection, although there may be points of conflict and tension when comparing it to modern evolutionary biology.
Dr. Dru Johnson (Ph.D. St. Andrews University) is visiting associate professor at Hope College in Holland, MI (was a professor at The King’s College in New York City), director of the Center for Hebraic Thought, editor at The Biblical Mind, host of The Biblical Mind podcast, and co-host of the OnScript Podcast. Before that, he was a high-school dropout, skinhead, punk rock drummer, combat veteran, IT supervisor, and pastor—all things that he hopes none of his children ever become. In this podcast conversation, we talk about many different things, including philosophy of mathematics, Hebraic vs. Hellenistic thinking, classism in the OT, Patriarchy vs. Heterarchy in the OT, and Old Testament theology of women, and much, much more.
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