Jesus answered, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, 19 honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.' There is a graphic description of the assassination of the Moabite King Eglon, who defecates while rolls of his fat suck in the blade used to kill him (Judges 3:22). [171], Supersessionism has never been an official doctrine of the church, and has never been universally held. Perhaps the most famous mass murder in the New Testament is Herod the Great's slaughter of children a short time after Christ's birth (Matthew 2). [84] This triggers a civil war between the Benjamites and the Israelites that kills thousands of people. David, anointed king in secret (1 Samuel 16), comes into Saul's service and "loved him greatly". [169]:169[170]:8,9 Twentieth-century Jewish civil rights leader Leonard P. Zakim asserts the accuracy of what theology professor Padraic O'Hare writes: "despite the many possible destructive consequences of supersessionism, supersessionism alone is not yet anti-semitism". He points to sections in Deuteronomy in which the Israelite God, Yahweh, commanded that the Israelites utterly destroy idolaters whose land they sought to reserve for the worship of their deity (Deut 7:2, 16, and 20:1617). [38] John Gammie concurs, saying the Bible verses about "utterly destroying" the enemy are more about pure religious devotion than an actual record of killing people. [145] Some feminist critiques of Judges say the Bible gives tacit approval to violence against women by not speaking out against these acts. [152]:42 By the first century CE, friction between the Sadducees and the Pharisees over this issue is documented by both the New Testament writers and Josephus giving evidence of its presence in Jewish thought. [160]:intro Miroslav Volf justifies the doctrine of final judgment by saying it provides a necessary restraint on human violence. A. Jon Levenson, writing Jewish biblical theology, asserts the creation stories in Genesis are not ex nihilo, but rather a generation of order out of chaos, similar to other ANE creation myths; the order allows life to flourish and holds back chaos which brings violence and destruction, which has never been obliterated and is always breaking back in. The freewill defense by Alvin Plantinga assumes that a world containing creatures who are significantly free is an innately more valuable world than one containing no free creatures, and that God could not have made a world containing complexity and freedom without including the possibility of evil and suffering. As part of the many reflections on religious violence inspired by the Abrahamic religions that followed 9/11, John J. Collins wrote a short book called "Does the Bible Justify Violence?". Since Christians have God living in them, they do not need to worry about others. Tim Keller says it is right to be angry when someone brings injustice or violence to those we love and therefore a loving God can be filled with wrath because of love, not in spite of it. [17] However, the later usage of the term, such as its usage in Numbers 18:14-17 and Deuteronomy 7, indicates that items and first-born children were supposed to be set aside as rem so that they could be redeemed by the Priests. 19). War comes again, David is victorious. Who Has God Personally Killed? - Bible Study [4]:12 Modern scholarship on violence in the Bible tends to fall into two categories: those who use modern ethics to critique what they see as the violent legacy of monotheism, and those who approach the topic from a historical and cultural perspective. Our flagship program features the most informative and inspiring messages from Pastor Doug and more. It also mandates the death penalty for a man who has sexual relations with a betrothed virgin, and of the virgin if she does not cry out for help when raped. In [the Genesis] account, the elements do not represent rival deities, and the story declares the creation good (Gen. 1:10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). These curses include disease, famine, defeat and death in warfare, insanity, abuse and robbery, enslavement, and cannibalism due to extreme hunger. Animal sacrifice in the form of burnt offerings is mentioned, and it is prescribed that an ox that kills a person is to be stoned. And now you're getting Jesus, who is mercy incarnate, grace incarnate, forgiveness incarnate, open-heartedness incarnate, saying, "This is what is available for you.". [168]:5,25 Some supersessionist Christians have sometimes focused on violence in the Hebrew Bible while ignoring or giving little attention to violence in the New Testament. This has been called a primitive and barbaric act of murder perpetrated on innocent lives. [126], The Christian ethic includes three main responses. [43]:17,29 Creach says that violence is seen in these verses as an intrusion that disrupts this design. A. God orders him to be killed and he is stoned. I have wounded and it is I who heal, He will take 50,000 lives today. The Bible and violence - Wikipedia [10] "Sometimes the word refers to extreme wickedness (Isaiah 53:9; 59:6) where physical violence may or may not be [involved]. Dig into the Word and become a Bible expert with Amazing Facts line of study Bibles and more. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. Genesis 9:1-3 God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, "Be fertile, increase in number, and fill the earth. In Genesis 32:2232, Jacob meets and wrestles with someone, a man, angel or God, who blesses him and gives him the name Israel. The biblical author writes that God hardened Pharaoh's heart (Exodus 7:34; 9:12), and that Pharaoh hardened his own heart (Exodus 8:15, 32: 9:34), and that his heart hardened in response to the demands with no attribution (Exodus 7:13,22). [129]:143[130] In one version of this, Jon Levenson resolves the problem of evil by describing God's power not as static, but as unfolding in time: "The operative dichotomy, thus, is not that between limitation and omnipotence, but that which lies between omnipotence as a static attribute and omnipotence as a dramatic enactment: the absolute power of God realizing itself in achievement and relationship. [3], The definition of what constitutes violence has changed over time. David's son Amnon rapes his half-sister Tamar. So you read about Jesus having an incredible open-heartedness towards tax collectors and sinners. "[166]:12 It has three forms: punitive, economic, and/or structural supersessionism. Acts 5:1-11 New International Version Ananias and Sapphira 5 Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. So with Jesus has come into the world salvation. (2022). Alvin Plantinga stresses that this is why he does not proffer a theodicy but only a defense of the logic of theistic belief. 24 Bible verses about God Kills - Online Bible [6]:2[8], "However, the word hamas in the Old Testament also appears in the contexts of sin and injustice against God and one's fellow-man, judicial affairs, structural violence and the theodicy problem". [154] There is one occurrence of tartaros which appears in 2 Peter 2:4 and is considered equivalent to gehenna. "[112]:3233, Collins, writing as a Christian scholar, also notes: "It is not unusual for Christian interpreters to claim that 'the Biblical witness to the innocent victims and the God of victims demystifies and demythologizes this sacred social order' in which violence is grounded. [164] Marcion's teaching was repudiated by Tertullian in five treatises titled "Against Marcion" and Marcion was ultimately excommunicated by the Church. [67]:100 The Israelites war against Midian, and "slew every male". Moses prays, and the fire abates. Not Helpful But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death." Romans 12:19 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful [117], Old Testament scholar Ellen Davis is concerned by what she calls a "shallow reading" of Scripture, particularly of 'Old Testament' texts concerning violence, which she defines as a "reading of what we think we already know instead of an attempt to dig deeper for new insights and revelations." Saul asks his armour-bearer to kill him, but is refused, so he takes his own life. The churches are children playing on the floor with their chemistry sets, mixing up a batch of TNT to kill a Sunday morning. They take captive the women and children, and take all cattle, flocks and goods as loot, and burn all cities and camps. Death is not bad. Products that will appeal to the young and young at heart. Why does God order kings to kill people in the Old Testament? How is Why Did God Command Killing in the Old Testament? Contributing Writer. If the mere killing of any kind was the issue, then why would God say killing in self-defense is permissible? Titanic sub destroyed in 'catastrophic implosion,' all five aboard dead Deuteronomy 22 orders the killing of women who cannot prove that they were virgins on their wedding night, and of both the man and woman when a man sleeps with another man's wife. [48], A new pharaoh sees that the Israelites in Egypt have become many and fears they might aid Egypt's enemies (Exodus 1:810). "[18]:396, Over half the occurrences of the verb and noun for the root -r-m are concerned with the destruction of nations in war, but other terms which are associated with actions which the Old Testament scholar Eric Siebert considers "divine violence" may or may not include war. Please do not comment in languages other than English. Helping you get the most out of your Sabbath School quarterly every week. While transporting the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a man called Uzzah carelessly touches it and is killed by God (2 Samuel 6). The last part (the New Testament) is the culmination of God's work in man such that believers can have new and eternal life in Jesus. David Green on Twitter: "@KrisRHoyt @kevinmyoung The words say what Persecution of Christians in the New Testament - Wikipedia Levine concludes that this is one of several indications, including extra-biblical evidence, that rem was a later addition to Hebrew thought. It is sin that really brings death. [106] For example, Jesus uses apocalyptic speech in Matthew 10:15 when he says "it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town," and in Mark 14:62, where he alludes to the book of Daniel with himself in the future "sitting at the right hand of God." [71]:310311 Deuteronomy 21 commands the use of sacrifices to atone unsolved murders, and mandates a month-long period of mourning before an Israelite warrior can marry a female captive. Why does God command so much killing in the Old Testament? Does God David conquers and plunders the city Rabbah (2 Samuel 1112). The Old Testament does not speak against killing in war nor against the death penalty. God saves them from the army by drowning it in the Red Sea. Since that time, there has been a lot of killing, death, and sadness. "[112]:27, Regina Schwartz is among those who seek to reimagine Christianity and the Christian biblical canon in ways that reduce violence. Moses repeats his request several times as the Plagues of Egypt afflict the Egyptians, but Pharaoh refuses until the tenth plague, when God kills all firstborn people and cattle in Egypt, apart from those of the Israelites, who are protected. [70]:122 Moses also recounts how God destroyed the followers of Baal-Peor, and threatens to destroy the Israelites if they return to idolatry. He wasn't as harsh as you think, and he is more harsh than you think. [53], The Israelites break their promise by worshiping the Golden Calf. Numbers 35:9-28 shows that God recognizes only two classifications of killing: accidental and intentional. Behold, I will kill your son, your firstborn."'" Exodus 11:5 Verse Concepts The city is burned, and apart from Rahab's family, every person, ox, sheep and donkey is killed (Joshua 6). God Killed Jesus: That's What the Gospels Say - HuffPost 18:3940; 2kg. Killed by God! [35][36] Similarly, claims in Numbers 31 that 12,000 Israelite soldiers exterminated the entire Midianite population (except for enslaving the 32,000 virgin girls) and destroyed all their towns without suffering a single casualty are held to be historically impossible, and should be understood as symbolic, not least because other biblical books set in later times still refer to the Midianites as an independent people, such as Judges chapters 68, where Gideon fights them. "[180], Jacques Ellul says: "I believe that the biblical teaching is clear. They were a libertarian group that wanted to serve no one but God alone. David delivers two hundred, and becomes the king's son-in-law (1 Samuel 18). 13:9 as "You shall not murder." The word in Greek for murder here is . 2 With his wife's full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles' feet. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ. [152]:43, In the New Testament there are three words translated in English as Hell: the Greek word hades, which is a general equivalent of the Hebrew Sheol, is used to identify the temporary place of the unsaved after death, and is not used in relationship to the lake of fire or eternal punishment. The promise of life in the land turns into chaos and violence. [60] They are attacked by Amalekites and Canaanites (Numbers 1314). You must kill both, for they are guilty of a capital offense. In Numbers 15, a man is found working on the Sabbath. Others interpret Hell as a temporary place where sin is purged through suffering that ultimately produces "universal salvation". It describes the Apocalypse, the last judgment of all the nations and people by God, which includes plagues, war, and economic collapse. [6]:14[148], The term for peace in the Hebrew Bible is SH-L-M.[149] It is used to describe prophetic vision and ideal conditions,[150]:32,2 and theologians have built on passages referencing it to advocate for various forms of social justice. This page was last edited on 19 March 2023, at 22:55. "[113]:176. However, the Bible includes many instances in which it was necessary for God to justly end a life. "[187] Since most societies of the past endured and practiced genocide, it was accepted as "being in the nature of life" because of the "coarseness and brutality" of life. The Holiness code, Leviticus 1726, sets out a list of prohibitions, and the punishments for breaking them. The answer is no! In Geller's reading the blood is not magical nor is the animal just a substitute for a human sacrifice; instead blood is at once an expression of the violence of the fallen world where people kill in order to eat (unlike Eden) and the blood itself becomes a means for redemption; it is forbidden to be eaten, as a sign of restraint and recognition, and is instead offered to God, and in that action the relationship between fallen humanity and God is restored. Any city within the specified inheritance are to be completely exterminated (20) exempting only the fruit trees. David wars victoriously with the Philistines. The question is whether Old Testament violence is justifiable and condoned by God. Exodus 20:13 "You shall not murder." 3. He believed that even at the end of the day there would be some on whom the scars remained. Nevertheless, Origen's ideas persisted". The Hebrew word for "kill" used in the commandment "Thou shalt not kill" really means murder or to kill unlawfully and with wicked intent. Jerry Walls in his book Hell: The logic of damnation, looks at the 'traditional popular view', the 'modified orthodox view', the 'traditional Calvinist view', and others". [158]:38 For example, the early church father Origen [c. 184 c. 253] "believed that after death there were many who would need prolonged instruction, the sternest discipline, even the severest punishment before they were fit for the presence of God. [168]:3 Theologian Steven D. Aguzzi says supersessionism was considered a "normative view" in the writings of the early church fathers, such as Justin, Barnabas and Origen, and has been a part of Christian thought for much of the church's history. Spalione, Michael and Helen Paynter (eds.) and "Ye shall not afflict any widow, or fatherless child." 6. Amazing Facts quarterly guide featuring news, articles, Bible answers, and more. Every creature that crawls on the ground and all the fish in the sea have been put under your control. The armour-bearer also takes his own life. Join Pastor Dougs church for special music, inspiring sermons, and empowering church training. David defeats the Philistines at Keilah, then flees the city pursued by Saul (1 Samuel 22). The Deuteronomists expressed their new notions of the transcendence and power of God by means of ideas and associated laws around unitythe one-ness of God, worshipped at the one temple in Jerusalem, by one people, kept distinct from the rest of world just as God is; zealously and violently so. [71]:312344, Deuteronomy 24 imposes the death penalty for the kidnapping of a fellow Israelite, and forbids putting parents to death for crimes committed by their children, and vice versa. Such a selective reading, privileging the death of Jesus or the suffering servant, is certainly possible and even commendable, but it does not negate the force of the biblical endorsements of violence that we have been considering. Answer. [157] Steve Gregg quotes Douglas Jacoby as arguing that most modern exegetes reject the view aionios always represents an infinity in time. [89]:107. 15 Bible Verses about Idolatry & The Dangers of Idols - Bible Study Tools David's wives Ahinoam and Abigail are taken in a raid on Ziklag, but he rescue them (1 Samuel 30). Jesus quoted it in this way in Matthew 19:18: "You shall not murder." God never murders. [22][23][24][25], In the Bible God commands the Israelites to conquer the Promised Land, placing city after city "under the ban" - which meant every man, woman and child was supposed to be slaughtered at the point of the sword. Please be patient. On the other hand, God promises that if his people obey him, he will protect them from the diseases the surrounding nations suffer from and give them victory in fighting their enemies in Deuteronomy 6, 7 and 11. [80]:7[81], Joshua finishes most of the conquest of Canaan, with the exception of Gibeon and possibly some Canaanites and Amelakites: "For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, to come against Israel in battle, that they might be utterly destroyed, that they might have no favour, but that they might be destroyed, as the LORD commanded Moses." [63] At Hormah, a Canaanite king fights the Israelites, and the Israelites promise God that if he gives them victory over this people, they will destroy their cities. However, he also says the differences are more pronounced than the similarities. Comments containing URLs outside the family of Amazing Facts websites will not be approved. Paynter, Helen and Michael Spalione (eds.) God promises Abraham that he will spare Sodom if as few as 10 righteous people can be found there. It was this view that also led to the destruction of European Jewry. [87] The ark arrives at Beth-shemesh, where God slays fifty thousand men for gazing upon it (1 Samuel 6). Scholars note that the reader receives an almost hour-by-hour account of what is happening. Bible Answer: Bible Question: Why did God command the Israelites to destroy entire people groupsgenocidein the Old Testament? [64] The Israelites speak against God and Moses, and God sends venomous snakes that kill many of them. My first reaction to that question is to say, "He wasn't," or "He is." Christians inherited this view but only in part. [52], At Mount Sinai, God gives the Israelites the Ten Commandments and the Covenant Code (Exodus 2023). [114]:3222 Likewise the Priestly author adapted the myths and rituals of the ANE and the specific traditions of the ancient Israelites to forge different meanings for blood sacrifice than their neighbors had, specifically in the elaborate and precarious rituals on the Day of Atonement when the High Priest had to enter the Holy of Holies and the presence of God; in their work the Priestly authors also attempted to express the transcendence and unity of God who is yet in a relationship with humanity with all its variable sinfulness. Although the question brings with it great emotional impact because we are talking about people dying-actually, more than that-being killed, we should bear in mind that from God's perspective, death is not evil. [57]:200202 God is again angered and sends "a great plague" (Numbers 11). The Ten Commandments prohibit murder (5:17). In Matthew 5:21-26, Jesus expanded on the definition of the commandment "You shall not murder" from the Old Testament ( Exodus 20:13) by saying that, from God's perspective, even unrighteous anger or verbal abuse against someone was subject to the same judgment in God's sight as taking that person's life. What Does the Bible Say About Murder New Testament? - OpenBible.info [41] Both Crouch and Lauren Monroe, professor of Near Eastern studies at Cornell, agree this means the erem type of total war was not strictly an Israelite practice but was a common approach to war for many Near Eastern people of the Bronze and Iron Ages. "[138] "The fact [the Genesis creation account] was likely part of the last stages of the creation of the Pentateuch may indicate that the portrait of God in Gen. 1:12:4a was normative for those who gave the Old Testament canon its present shape. The Book of Revelation is horrific! [26]:319320 For example, in Deuteronomy 20:16-18 God orders the Israelites to "not leave alive anything that breathes completely destroy them ",[27][28] thus leading many scholars to characterize these as commands to commit genocide. After Augustine's views were adopted as the official dogma, these early leaders of the church were condemned and excommunicated. [43]:34 He decides to exterminate all, restarting creation with Noah and those humans and animals with him on the Ark. Mass Murder in Bible Israel's Bloody Kings - Killed by God! Did God Command Genocide in the Bible? - Logos Bible Study Platform [170]:2,4 Anders Gerdmar[sv] sees the development of anti-semitism as part of the paradigm shift that occurred in early modernity when the new scientific focus on the Bible and history replaced the primacy of theology and tradition. [6]:15[90][91] Elijah called down fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice, then followed this display of God's power by catching and personally killing all the prophets of Baal; he twice called the fire down from heaven to consume the Captain and the fifty men with him sent by the King (2 Kings 1:10);[92] Elisha called bears from the woods to maul the 42 "youths" who mocked him, and visited leprosy on Gehazi his deceitful servant, (2 Kings 5:27);[93] Amos pronounces judgment on the nations including Israel offering a vision of Divine judgment that includes a swarm of locusts and divine fire;[94][95] Ezekiel said, "The word of the Lord came to me" repeatedly pronouncing violent judgment against the nations and Israel,[8]:7,8 and a feminist interpretation of the book of Nahum speaks of the "rape" of Ninevah, the book's "fascination with war, and the glee with which it calls for revenge. [70]:327, Deuteronomy provides legislation to protect perpetrators of unintentional homicide from revenge killings (4, 19). Is he able, but not willing? The Isralites "murmur" about this, and God punishes them with a plague (Numbers 16). God's Commandments are for mankind and they were given to show men their sin (Romans 3:20). [61], Korah and a group of men rebel against Moses and Aaron. Murder in the New Testament! - Bible Study If you have a Bible question for Pastor Doug Batchelor or the Amazing Facts Bible answer team, please submit it by clicking here. [75], God commands Joshua to take possession of Canaan (Joshua 1). [85], In the Books of Samuel, The Israelites war with the Philistines and are defeated at the Battle of Aphek. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" the man asked. The Old Testament commands to kill entire enemy peoples were specific and limited to particular events. They define as violent anything that destroys the inter-relationship, interdependence and wholeness of life and its environment; they depict scheming, arrogant and dishonest speech, especially that aimed at oppressing the poor, as violent in its effect;[6]:3 violations of justice are defined as particularly egregious forms of violence in an early understanding of natural law; and violations of purity and sanctity are seen as a kind of violence that defiles the land, its people, and the sanctuary. Were on a mission to change that. Origen did not eliminate Hell; he believed that some people would have to go to Heaven via Hell. While the ancient Israelites conceived of their deity as one being in contrast to the polytheistic conception of its neighbors, they remained like other ANE peoples in considering themselves a single whole unit in relationship with god. "[186], Sociologists Frank Robert Chalk and Kurt Jonassohn question "the applicability of the term [genocide] to earlier periods of history, and the judgmental and moral loadings that have become associated with it. Spread the Word using these free digital resources from the ministry, including plug-ins, banners, and more. The Levite dismembers her, and has parts of her body distributed across Israel to inform people about what happened (Judges 19:29). Israel was commanded by God to completely exterminate the Canaanite inhabitants of the land including men, women, and children. At times, He also condoned His people killing other people, especially to defend themselves from enemies that were bent on destroying them. Faith Crashers: Why Does God Kill People in the Old Testament? Special insight and inspiration straight from the presidents desk. [154]:21, Different Greek terms and their differing translation and interpretation have produced controversy over the nature of Hell in Christian theology. [185], Arie Versluis says, "indigenous populations have also appealed to the command (in Deut.7) in order to expel their colonizers. These deals on incredible witnessing and Bible resources dont last long! Absalom is finally defeated and dies in the Battle of the Wood of Ephraim, and David mourns him (2 Samuel 1519). On-demand Amazing Facts audio featuring a wealth of spiritual guidance and inspiration. [6]:12[144], Scholar author Phyllis Trible looks at these instances from the perspective of the victim making their pathos palpable, underlying their human reality, and the tragedy of their stories. And that's intentional. The notion that a false witness threatens life and well-being appears in fuller form in the Psalter. [181][182], Scholar Nur Masalha writes that the "genocide" of the extermination commandments has been "kept before subsequent generations" and served as inspirational examples of divine support for slaughtering enemies. This is shown by the example of Te Kootiin the nineteenth century who viewed the Maori as the Israelites and the colonizers as the Canaanites. We strive to approve comments the day they are made, but please allow at least 24 hours for your comment to appear. According to Stannard, this view of war contributed to the destruction of the Native peoples in the Americas. [2]:Introduction The texts have a history of interpretation within the Abrahamic religions and Western culture that includes both justification of and opposition to acts of violence. Since 1800, this situation has entirely changed, and no traditional doctrine has been so widely abandoned as that of eternal punishment. Exodus 21:12 "Anyone who strikes a person with a fatal blow is to be put to death." 4. We simply do not have a full answer for these differences. He is author of. [159]:70 For example, Aquinas' Hell differs from the Hell described by C. S. Lewis in the Great Divorce.
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