E-Book Overview
A discussion of various contemporary evangelical views of genocide in the Old Testament. Christians are often shocked to read that Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, commanded the total destruction---all men, women, and children---of the ethnic group know as the Canaanites. This seems to contradict Jesus' command in the New Testament to love your enemies and do good to all people. How can Yahweh be the same God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? What does genocide in the Bible have to do with the politics of the 21st century? This book explores, in typical Counterpoints format, the Old Testament command of God to exterminate the Canaanite population and what that implies about continuity between the Old and New Testaments. The four points of view presented on the continuity of the Testaments are: * Strong Discontinuity --- C . S. Cowles * Moderate Discontinuity --- Eugene H. Merrill * piritual Continuity --- Tremper Longman III * Eschatological Continuity --- Daniel L. Gard The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address two categories: Church Life and Bible and Theology. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series.
E-Book Content
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SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, brought us face to face with the stark reality of jihad. But holy war is neither new nor the invention of Islam. The Old Testament writings record what amounts to Canaanite genocide in the name of Yahweh. How do we reconcile this with the teachings of Jesus, who commands us to love our enemies and overcome evil with good? If our theology bears its fruit in our behavior as Christians, then we cannot ignore the question of violence in the Bible. ls there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Testament concept of holy war and New Testament ideals? Do we serve the Lord of Hosts or the Prince of Peace-or is God both? How should our actions reflect his character in these dangerous, desperately needy times? The four views presented in Show Them No Mercy are quite different, yet all lie squarely within the evangelical tradition. This book gives each view a forum for presentation, critique, and defense. It allows you to compare different perspectives on holy war, divine judgment, and the use of deadly force to arrive at your own conclusions on what the Bible teaches. C. S. Cowles (S.T.D., University of San Francisco Theological Seminary) is professor of Bible and theology at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, California. Eugene H. Merrill (Ph.D., Columbia University) is distinguished professor of Old Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. Daniel L Gard (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is dean of graduate studies and associate professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Tremper Longman Ill (Ph.D., Yale University) is professor of Old Testament at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California.
The Counterpoints series provides a forum for comparison and critique of different views on issues important to Christians. Counterpoints books address three categories: Church Life, Exploring Theology, and Engaging Culture. Complete your library with other books in the Counterpoints series. cover design: Rob Monacel!i cover photo: Getty Images I Charles Franklin
THEOLOGY I THEOLOGY & DOCTRINE/ DOCTRINES
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Books in the Counterpoints Series Are Miraculous Gifts for Today? Five Views on Law and Gospel Five Views on Sanctification Five Views on Apologetics Four Views on Eternal Security Four Views on Hell Four Views on Salvation in a Pluralistic World Four Views on the Book of Revelation Three Views on Creation and Evolu