Video: Old Testament Violence by Larry Alex Taunton


In this video, author, speaker and executive director of the Fixed Point Foundation Larry Alex Taunton addresses the problem of violence in the Old Testament.

Some of the points Taunton makes are as follows:

  • Believers need to know their Bibles so that they can better communicate what it says to unbelievers
  • There are certain principles to follow when understanding OT violence (God ordained vs. reported and context is essential)
  • Judges 11 and the life of Jephthah is broken down.
  • The theme of Judges is that people did what was right in their own eyes.
  • One of the lessons that one can take away from Judges is how much God can still accomplish through a godless people.
  • God condemns human sacrifice.
  • We are to be in the world, but not of the world.
  • God is not responsible for the violence that happens in Judges 11.
  • Although some claim that man is more merciful than God, the evidence of the 20th century alone suggests otherwise.
  • The greatest act of violence in Scripture was necessary for your salvation.
  • While God is a God of mercy, he is also a God of justice.
This is a thoughtful talk that demonstrates how one can deal with violent Old Testament passages in a thoughtful and responsible manner.

Courage and Godspeed,
Chad

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