In this episode, Taylor and Denver dive into a thought-provoking discussion on violence in the Old Testament with Dr. Matthew Lynch. The conversation delves into the implications of violence in scripture, how to put Old Testament violence into dialogue with Jesus’ teachings, and the historical context surrounding the conquest narratives in Joshua. They also discuss practical tips for pastors and educators to approach these tough topics.

Dr. Lynch got his PhD from Emory University and he is the Associate Professor of Old Testament at Regent College. He explores all of the ideas from this episode more in-depth in his book Flood and Fury. While he doesn't claim to have simple, easy answers to these difficult questions, he does give readers both information and tools to wrestle with them well. We highly recommend listeners check out the book if they are interested in this topic. But for now, tune in for an enriching blend of scholarship and ministry application!

Resource Links:

• Flood and Fury by Matt Lynch
• Flood and Fury Audiobook
• This Strange and Sacred Scripture by Matthew Schlimm

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Housekeeping00:48 Welcoming the Co-Host and Listeners01:39 Introducing the Topic: Violence in the Old Testament02:24 Guest Expert: Dr. Matthew Lynch on Old Testament Violence05:31 Deep Dive: Wrestling with Old Testament Violence14:35 Theological Reflections and Pastoral Challenges21:48 Genesis and the Origins of Violence29:23 Practical Advice for Pastors and Teachers36:48 Exploring Tensions in the Book of Joshua37:25 Majority vs. Minority Report in Joshua41:17 Extreme Rhetoric in Scripture46:24 Historical Context of the Conquest47:31 The Conquest and Egyptian Control52:14 Israel's Settlement Patterns53:24 Practical Applications for Modern Readers56:14 Speed Round: Fun and Insightful Questions01:07:30 Wicked Problems and Faith Practices01:12:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts