Biblical Theology for Life

This volume in “Biblical Theology for Life” series dives deeply into the topic of human violence. Before exploring what the Bible says about violence, Old Testament scholar Helen Paynter sets out the contours for the study ahead by addressing the various definitions of violence and the theories of its origins, prevalence, and purpose. What is violence? Is there such a thing as "natural violence"? Is violence a human or social construct or can we describe natural phenomena as violent? How does the concept of violence relate to the concept of evil? Violence is everywhere; is it escapable? How do we resist violence? Having queued up the questions, Helen takes us to the Bible for answers. Starting with the creation narratives in Genesis considered in comparison with the ancient Near Eastern myths and moving to the conquest of Canaan-the most problematic of biblical narratives-she investigates how these deep myths speak to the origins of human violence and its consequences. The prevalence of violence through biblical history is inescapable. Scripture reveals the hydra-like nature of human violence, investigating types of violence including but not limited to: structural violence, verbal violence, sexual violence, violence as public /political act, racialised violence, including "othering." Through the voices of the prophets and then in the teaching of Jesus, the Bible reveals that the seeds of violence exist within every human heart. Even though we see evidence of resistance movements in the Bible, such as the responses to attempted genocide in Exodus and Esther, it is only on the cross that an absorption of violence by God takes place: a defeat of violence by self-sacrifice. Along the way, Helen considers other relevant biblical themes, including the apocalypse, "crushing the serpent's head," and the concept of divine vengeance, culminating in the resurrected Christ's lack of vengeance against those who did him to death. In light of the New Testament, we will consider how the first Christians responded to the structural violence of slavery and patriarchy and how they began to apply Jesus' redemptive, non-vengeful theology to their own day. The book concludes by discussing of what this means for Christians today. For many of us who live without routine encounters with or threats of violence, we must consider our responsibility in a world where our experience is the exception. With attention to the multi-headed hydra that is violence and the concealed structures of violence in our own Western society, Helen challenges readers to consider their own, perhaps inherited, privilege and complicity. The question of how we regard "others," both as individuals and as societies, is a deeply relevant and urgent one for the church: The church can and should be a wholly non-othering body. So, what implications does this have for the church and, for example, Black Lives Matter or the rampant xenophobia in our society or immigration and global migration

In The Mission of God's People, Chris Wright shows how God's big-picture plan directs the purpose of God's people, the church. Wright's pioneering 2006 book, The Mission of God, revealed that the typical Christian understanding of "missions" encompasses only a small part of God's overarching mission for the world. God is relentlessly reclaiming the entire world for himself. Wright emphasizes what the Old Testament teaches Christians about being the people of God. He addresses questions of both ecclesiology and missiology with topics like "called to care for creation," "called to bless the nations," "sending and being sent," and "rejecting false gods." As part of the Biblical Theology for Life Series, this book provides you - whether you're a pastor, teacher, or lay learner - with first-rate biblical study while at the same time addressing the practical concerns of contemporary ministry. The Mission of God's People promises to enliven and refocus the study, teaching, and ministry of those truly committed to joining God's work in the world.

The obvious damage that human beings are inflicting on the created world as well as the growing scientific consensus that humankind is contributing measurably to the potentially devastating effects of global warming have thrust the "environment" to the forefront of political and social issues. Yet most evangelicals, including leaders and pastors, lack the theological basis needed to respond biblically to these issues. Many of the theological assessments currently offered suffer from theological and/or hermeneutical biases that render them unpalatable or inaccessible to evangelicals. Moreover, few of the theological treatments interact capably with scientific data. Creation Care: Audio Lectures, presented by scholars Douglas and Jonathan Moo, grounds theological reflection on the created world in scriptural exegesis and applies biblical principles to the current situation as described by the consensus of scientific investigators. Lessons trace several key biblical themes through Scripture in an effort to situate the created world within biblical theology. Specific themes that receive attention include: the value and status assigned to non-human creation the relationship of creation to redemption the place of human beings within creation the understanding of and significance assigned to the land in Old Testament law and prophecy the future of the created world envisaged by the New Testament Creation Care: Audio Lectures and its accompanying book, Creation Care, offer practical reflections on the biblical mandate that God's people embody God's perspective on the created world; they also consider how the command to love others might affect the way we treat the earth upon which all life depends. Overall, Jonathan and Douglas seek to recapture the joy expressed by the Psalmists in God's good creation while also giving serious attention to threats facing creation.