The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest: Covenant, Retribution, and the Fate of the Canaanites (Volume 4) (The Lost World Series)

Holy warfare is the festering wound on the conscience of Bible-believing Christians. Of all the problems the Old Testament poses for our modern age, this is the one we want to avoid in mixed company. But do the so-called holy war texts of the Old Testament portray a divinely inspired genocide? Did Israel slaughter Canaanites at God s command? Were they enforcing divine retribution on an unholy people? These texts shock. And we turn the page. But have we rightly understood them? In The Lost World of the Conquest, John Walton and J. Harvey Walton take us on an archeological dig, excavating the layers of translation and interpretation that over time have encrusted these texts and our perceptions. What happens when we take new approaches, frame new questions? When we weigh again their language and rhetoric? Were the Canaanites punished for sinning against the covenanting God? Does the Hebrew word herem mean "devote to destruction"? How are the Canaanites portrayed and why? And what happens when we backlight these texts with their ancient context? The Lost World of the Conquest keenly recalibrates our perception and reframes our questions. While not attempting to provide all the answers, it offers surprising new insights and clears the ground for further understanding. Preface Introduction Abbreviations Part I: Interpretation Proposition 1: Reading the Bible Consistently Means Reading It as an Ancient Document Proposition 2: We Should Approach the Problem of the Conquest by Adjusting Our Expectations About What the Bible Is Proposition 3: The Bible Does Not Define Goodness for Us or Tell Us How to Produce Goodness, but Instead Tells Us About the Goodness God Is Producing Part II: The Canaanites Are Not Depicted as Guilty of Sin Proposition 4: The Bible Teaches Clearly and Consistently That Affliction by God Cannot Be Automatically Attributed to Wrongdoing on the Part of the Victim Proposition 5: None of the Usual Textual Indicators for Divine Retribution Occur in the Case of the Canaanites Excusus: The Midianites in Numbers 31 Proposition 6: Genesis 15:16 Does Not Indicate That the Canaanites Were Committing Sin Proposition 7: Neither the Israelites nor the Canaanites Are Depicted as Stealing the Other’s Rightful Property Part III: The Canaanites Are Not Depicted as Guilty of Breaking God’s Law Proposition 8: The People of the Land Are Not Indicted for Not Following the Stipulations of the Covenant, and Neither Is Israel Expected to Bring Them into the Covenant Excursus: Demons and Idolatry in the Old Testament Proposition 9: Ancient Law Codes Such as the One Contained in Leviticus 18-20 Are Not Lists of Rules to Be Obeyed, and Therefore the Canaanites Cannot Be Guilty of Violating Them Proposition 10: Holiness Is a Status Granted by God; It Is Not Earned Through Moral Performance, and Failing to Have It Does Not Subject One to Judgment Proposition 11: The Expulsion of the Canaanites from the Land in the Conquest Cannot Be Evaluated by Comparison to the Expulsion of the Israelites from the Land in the Exile Because Israel Is Under the Covenant and the Canaanites Are Not Part IV: The Language and Imagery of the Conquest Account Has Literary and Theological Significance Proposition 12: The Depiction of the Canaanites in Leviticus and Deuteronomy Is a Sophisticated Appropriation of a Common Ancient Near Eastern Literary Device, Not an Indictment Excursus: The Invincible Barbarians and the Rephaim Proposition 13: Behaviors That Are Described as Detestable Are Intended to Contrast with Ideal Behavior Under the Israelite Covenant, Not to Convict the People Who Did Them of Crimes Proposition 14: The Imagery of the Conquest Account Recapitulates Creation Part V: What God and the Israelites Are Doing Is Often Misunderstood Because the Hebrew Word Herem Is Commonly Mistranslated Proposition 15: Herem Does Not Mean "Utterly Destroy" Excursus: Hyperbole in Conquest Accounts Proposition 16: Herem Against Communities Focuses on Destroying Identity, Not Killing People of Certain Ethnicities Excursus: What Is Happening in Deuteronomy 7 Proposition 17: The Wars of Israelite Conquest Were Fought in the Same Manner as All Ancient Wars Proposition 18: Rahab and the Gibeonites Are Not Exceptions to the Herem, and the Use of Herem Against the Amalekites Does Not Indicate That Herem Is Punishment Excursus: Ḥerem and the Removal of Impurity Proposition 19: The Logic of the Herem Event of the Conquest Operates in the Context of Israel’s Vassal Treaty Part VI: How to Apply This Understanding Proposition 20: The Old Testament, Including the Conquest Account, Provides a Template for Interpreting the New Testament, Which in Turn Gives Insight into God's Purposes for Us Today Proposition 21: The Application of Herem in the New Covenant Is Found in Putting Off Our Former Identity and Surrendering to the Lordship of Christ, and Therefore Herem Has Nothing to Do with Killing People Conclusion Notes Subject Index Scripture Index Biblical Foundations Award Winner Holy warfare is the festering wound on the conscience of Bible-believing Christians. Of all the problems the Old Testament poses for our modern age, this is the one we want to avoid in mixed company. But do the so-called holy war texts of the Old Testament portray a divinely inspired genocide? Did Israel slaughter Canaanites at God's command? Were they enforcing divine retribution on an unholy people? These texts shock. And we turn the page. But have we rightly understood them? In The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest , John Walton and J. Harvey Walton take us on an archaeological dig, excavating the layers of translation and interpretation that over time have encrusted these texts and our perceptions. What happens when we take new approaches, frame new questions? When we weigh again their language and rhetoric? Were the Canaanites punished for sinning against the covenanting God? Does the Hebrew word herem mean "devote to destruction"? How are the Canaanites portrayed and why? And what happens when we backlight these texts with their ancient context? The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest keenly recalibrates our perception and reframes our questions. While not attempting to provide all the answers, it offers surprising new insights and clears the ground for further understanding. The books in the Lost World Series follow the pattern set by Bible scholar John H. Walton, bringing a fresh, close reading of the Hebrew text and knowledge of ancient Near Eastern literature to an accessible discussion of the biblical topic at hand using a series of logic-based propositions. Biblical Foundations Award Winner Holy warfare is the festering wound on the conscience of Bible-believing Christians. Of all the problems the Old Testament poses for our modern age, this is the one we want to avoid in mixed company. But do the so-called holy war texts of the Old Testament portray a divinely inspired genocide? Did Israel slaughter Canaanites at God's command? Were they enforcing divine retribution on an unholy people? These texts shock us. And we turn the page. But have we rightly understood them? In The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest , John Walton and J. Harvey Walton take us on an archaeological dig, excavating the layers of translation and interpretation that over time have encrusted these texts and our perceptions. What happens when we take new approaches, frame new questions? When we weigh again their language and rhetoric? Were the Canaanites punished for sinning against the covenanting God? Does the Hebrew word herem mean "devote to destruction"? How are the Canaanites portrayed and why? And what happens when we backlight these texts with their ancient context? The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest keenly recalibrates our perception and reframes our questions. While not attempting to provide all the answers, it offers surprising new insights and clears the ground for further understanding. The books in the Lost World Series follow the pattern set by Bible scholar John H. Walton, bringing a fresh, close reading of the Hebrew text and knowledge of ancient Near Eastern literature to an accessible discussion of the biblical topic at hand using a series of logic-based propositions. The challenge of a seemingly genocidal God who commands ruthless warfare has bewildered Bible readers for generations. The theme of divine war is not limited to the Old Testament historical books, however. It is also prevalent in the prophets and wisdom literature as well. Still it doesn't stop. The New Testament book of Revelation, too, is full of such imagery. Our questions multiply. Why does God apparently tell Joshua to wipe out whole cities, tribes or nations? Is this yet another example of dogmatic religious conviction breeding violence? Did these texts help inspire or justify the Crusades? What impact do they have on Christian morality and just war theories today? How does divine warfare fit with Christ's call to \"turn the other cheek\"? Why does Paul employ warfare imagery in his letters? Do these texts warrant questioning the overall trustworthiness of the Bible? These controversial yet theologically vital issues call for thorough interpretation, especially given a long history of misinterpretation and misappropriaton of these texts. This book does more, however. A range of expert contributors engage in a multidisciplinary approach that considers the issue from a variety of perspectives: biblical, ethical, philosophical and theological. While the writers recognize that such a difficult and delicate topic cannot be resolved in a simplistic manner, the different threads of this book weave together a satisfying tapestry. Ultimately we find in the overarching biblical narrative a picture of divine redemption that shows the place of divine war in the salvific movement of God The Challenge Of A Seemingly Genocidal God Who Commands Ruthless Warfare Has Bewildered Bible Readers For Generations. The Theme Of Divine War Is Not Limited To The Old Testament Historical Books, However. It Is Also Prevalent In The Prophets And Wisdom Literature As Well. Still It Doesn T Stop. The New Testament Book Of Revelation, Too, Is Full Of Such Imagery. Our Questions Multiply. Why Does God Apparently Tell Joshua To Wipe Out Whole Cities, Tribes Or Nations? Is This Yet Another Example Of Dogmatic Religious Conviction Breeding Violence? Did These Texts Help Inspire Or Justify The Crusades? What Impact Do They Have On Christian Morality And Just War Theories Today? How Does Divine Warfare Fit With Christ S Call To Turn The Other Cheek? Why Does Paul Employ Warfare Imagery In His Letters? Do These Texts Warrant Questioning The Overall Trustworthiness Of The Bible? These Controversial Yet Theologically Vital Issues Call For Thorough Interpretation, Especially Given A Long History Of Misinterpretation And Misappropriaton Of These Texts. This Book Does More, However. A Range Of Expert Contributors Engage In A Multidisciplinary Approach That Considers The Issue From A Variety Of Perspectives: Biblical, Ethical, Philosophical And Theological. While The Writers Recognize That Such A Difficult And Delicate Topic Cannot Be Resolved In A Simplistic Manner, The Different Threads Of This Book Weave Together A Satisfying Tapestry. Ultimately We Find In The Overarching Biblical Narrative A Picture Of Divine Redemption That Shows The Place Of Divine War In The Salvific Movement Of God. The historical books, from Joshua to Ezra and Nehemiah, form the narrative backbone of the Old Testament. Without them the Pentateuch would stop cold and the Prophets would hang in suspension. Even the Psalms and Wisdom literature would lose some of their luster for lack of a setting. Without these historical books the New Testament would be resolving an incomplete narrative, answering a question only half and hesitantly posed. For all these reasons and more, it is a tragic fact that many of us today cannot give a brief and coherent account of this story. We fear that books with names like Judges, Kings and Chronicles would bore us. But nothing could be further from the truth. For the story they tell is full of action and intrigue, tragedy and suspense, vivid characters and memorable events. They are the stuff of great art and literature, and they have inspired men and women to lives and deeds of uncommon faith and courage. Exploring these books is essential for a true education, whether religious or otherwise. In this guidebook, Philip E. Satterthwaite and J. Gordon McConville introduce us to the content and the context of these historical books. We view them within the setting of ancient history and history writing, and come to appreciate their literary artistry, their role within the Scriptures of Israel, and their lasting value as theological and ethical resources. Designed especially for students, Exploring the Old Testament, Volume 2: A Guide to the Historical Books overflows with interesting and helpful features that encourage avid exploration and the joy of learning. Preaching's Survey of Bibles and Bible Reference winner The book of Joshua recounts the momentous events of Israel's entry into Canaan, the promised land: Joshua's commission and reassurance, crossing the Jordan river, the capture of Jericho and Ai, the grand covenant renewal ceremony at Mount Ebal, the curious treaty with the Gibeonites, and a rapid overview of the campaigns in the south and the north. The second half of the book gives extensive details of the allotment of the land to each tribe, before resuming the conquest story and concluding with farewell speeches and burial notices. It is an action-packed story—but perhaps more than any other, Joshua is the Old Testament book that most troubles contemporary readers, whether Christians or critics: Isn't there too much violence, and isn't this inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, and the gospel? David Firth begins his excellent exposition with a careful and helpful response to this issue. However, while addressing the problems is undoubtedly important, we must also consider how the book continues to speak to us today as God's word. Firth's basic contention is that we have to read Joshua as part of God's mission, which for much of the Old Testament centered on Israel, but finds its ultimate focus in Jesus Christ. The book challenges those who have read it down through the ages to recognize that God not only includes those who join him in his mission, he also excludes those who choose to set themselves against it. Readers' Choice Awards Honorable Mention Preaching 's Preacher's Guide to the Best Bible Reference From John H. Walton, author of the bestselling Lost World of Genesis One, and D. Brent Sandy, author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, comes a detailed look at the origins of scriptural authority in ancient oral cultures and how they inform our understanding of the Old and New Testaments today. Stemming from questions about scriptural inerrancy, inspiration and oral transmission of ideas, The Lost World of Scripture examines the process by which the Bible has come to be what it is today. From the reasons why specific words were used to convey certain ideas to how oral tradition impacted the transmission of biblical texts, the authors seek to uncover how these issues might affect our current doctrine on the authority of Scripture. "In this book we are exploring ways God chose to reveal his word in light of discoveries about ancient literary culture," write Walton and Sandy. "Our specific objective is to understand better how both the Old and New Testaments were spoken, written and passed on, especially with an eye to possible implications for the Bible?s inspiration and authority." The books in the Lost World Series follow the pattern set by Bible scholar John H. Walton, bringing a fresh, close reading of the Hebrew text and knowledge of ancient Near Eastern literature to an accessible discussion of the biblical topic at hand using a series of logic-based propositions. The book of Joshua recounts the momentous events of Israel's entry into Canaan, the promised land: Joshua's commission and reassurance, crossing the Jordan river, the capture of Jericho and Ai, the grand covenant renewal ceremony at Mount Ebal, the curious treaty with the Gibeonites, and a rapid overview of the campaigns in the south and the north. The second half of the book gives extensive details of the allotment of the land to each tribe, before resuming the conquest story and concluding with farewell speeches and burial notices. It is an action-packed story -- but perhaps more than any other, Joshua is the Old Testament book that most troubles contemporary readers, whether Christians or critics: Isn't there too much violence, and isn't this inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, and the gospel? David Firth begins his excellent exposition with a careful and helpful response to this issue. However, while addressing the problems is undoubtedly important, we must also consider how the book continues to speak to us today as God's word. Firth's basic contention is that we have to read Joshua as part of God's mission, which for much of the Old Testament centered on Israel, but finds its ultimate focus in Jesus Christ. The book challenges those who have read it down through the ages to recognize that God not only includes those who join him in his mission, he also excludes those who choose to set themselves against it. - Publisher. Holy warfare is the festering wound on the conscience of Bible-believing Christians. Of all the problems the Old Testament poses for our modern age, this is the one we want to avoid in mixed company. But do the so-called holy war texts of the Old Testament portray a divinely inspired genocide? Did Israel slaughter Canaanites at God's command? Were they enforcing divine retribution on an unholy people? These texts shock us. And we turn the page. But have we rightly understood them? In The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest, John Walton and J. Harvey Walton take us on an archaeological dig, excavating the layers of translation and interpretation that over time have encrusted these texts and our perceptions. What happens when we take new approaches, frame new questions? When we weigh again their language and rhetoric? Were the Canaanites punished for sinning against the covenanting God? Does the Hebrew word herem mean "devote to destruction"? How are the Canaanites portrayed and why? And what happens when we backlight these texts with their ancient context? The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest keenly recalibrates our perception and reframes our questions. While not attempting to provide all the answers, it offers surprising new insights and clears the ground for further understanding. -- Provided by publisher The challenge of a seemingly genocidal God who commands ruthless warfare has bewildered Bible readers for generations. The theme of divine war is not limited to the Old Testament Historical Books, however. It is also prevalent in the Prophets and Wisdom literature as well. Yet it doesn't stop there. The New Testament book of Revelation is also full of similar imagery. The questions we are left with multiply. These controversial yet theologically vital issues call for a thorough interpretation, especially given a long history of misinterpretation and misappropriation of these texts. Yet this book does more. A range of expert contributors engage in a multidisciplinary approach that considers the issue from a variety of perspectives: biblical, ethical, philosophical and theological. -- Back Cover. 2014 Readers' Choice Awards Honorable MentionPreaching's Preacher's Guide to the Best Bible Reference for 2014 (Scripture/Hermeneutics)From John H. Walton, author of the bestselling Lost World of Genesis One, and D. Brent Sandy, author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, comes a detailed look at the origins of scriptural authority in ancient oral cultures and how they inform our understanding of the Old and New Testaments today. Stemming from questions about scriptural inerrancy, inspiration and oral transmission of ideas, The Lost World of Scripture examines the process by which the Bible has com 2014 Readers' Choice Awards Honorable Mention Preaching's Preacher's Guide to the Best Bible Reference for 2014 (Scripture/Hermeneutics)From John H. Walton, author of the bestselling Lost World of Genesis One, and D. Brent Sandy, author of Plowshares and Pruning Hooks, comes a detailed look at the origins of scriptural authority in ancient oral cultures and how they inform our understanding of the Old and New Testaments today. Stemming from questions about scriptural inerrancy, inspiration and oral transmission of ideas, The Lost World of Scripture examines th Joshua is the Old Testament book that troubles the contemporary readers, whether Christians or critics. Isn't there too much violence? Isn't this inconsistent with the rest of the Scripture and the message of the gospel? David Firth begins his excellent exposition with a careful and helpful response to this issue. This book challenges those who have read Joshua down through the ages to recognize that God doesn't just include those who join him in his mission; he also excludes those who set themselves against it Perhaps no biblical episode is more troubling than the conquest of Canaan. But do the so-called holy war texts of the Old Testament portray a divinely inspired genocide? John Walton and J. Harvey Walton take us on an archaeological dig, reframing our questions and excavating the layers of translation and interpretation that cloud our perception of these difficult texts. The book of Joshua is action-packed but also troubling for contemporary readers: Isn't there too much violence, and isn't this inconsistent with the rest of Scripture, and the gospel? David Firth's exposition contends that we must read Joshua as part of God's mission, which for much of the Old Testament centered on Israel, but finds its ultimate focus in Jesus Christ. Walton and Sandy summarize what we know of orality and oral tradition as well as the composition and transmission of texts in the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, and how this shapes our understanding of the Old and New Testaments. The authors then translate these insights into a helpful model for understanding the reliability of Scripture. Philip E. Satterthwaite and J. Gordon McConville introduce the content and the context of the historical books--their setting in ancient history and history writing, their literary artistry, their role within the Scriptures of Israel, and their lasting value as theological and ethical resources