Violence in the Bible

[Tannhauser_1509]

I believe theodicy is very relevant to most discussions involving “violent passages” within scripture, including this topic/thread.

It is almost inevitable that a Christian will face this issue in discussions with people who “cherry-pick” these types of passages.

In regards to the “two points,” the second pretty much makes the first null & void… so it’s fair to argue that it can’t be “predetermined.”

I can’t speak for the rabbi who said it but, that’s my take on it.

My initial question was basically, did the original authors of the Old Testament intend their writings as purely spiritual allegories, or did they consider what they were writing to be literal history, in the case of the Heptateuch as well as the other historical books? Maybe this is a question of theodicy at a more fundamental level, but I just can’t see how your first post is addressing the question. Sorry.

 

[Rockymtsnowman]

I believe it’s safe to say that the authors intended to document if you will, literal history.
Battle conquests, leadership changes and the like.

I’m aware that taking a “maximalist” approach to some historical books of the bible can be difficult at times but, approaching with a “minimalist” approach can be difficult as well.

Other than Fr. Barron, what does other modern scholarship say in regards to your initial question?

 

[Latinitas]

My initial question was basically, did the original authors of the Old Testament intend their writings as purely spiritual allegories, or did they consider what they were writing to be literal history, in the case of the Heptateuch as well as the other historical books? Maybe this is a question of theodicy at a more fundamental level, but I just can’t see how your first post is addressing the question. Sorry.

If that’s your initial question, then the answer is unquestionably literal history. To deny this would be to ruin the entire basis of the Israelite religion (what would Passover mean if the Exodus weren’t real?). That they have a spiritual allegorical sense does not militate against this, it only shows that the things which the words signify also have a signification.

Benedicat Deus,
Latinitas