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Conversations with Scripture: The Book of Judges
The Book of Judges—appropriate for Sunday School curriculum or an irredeemably violent book?
Throughout its history Judges has both entertained and appalled readers some read it as a series of simple stories about faithfulness and some as a brutal and bloodthirsty book. Heller explores how Judges can shape our understanding of our world, our relationships, and can provide a path to a deeper appreciation of the ways of God among people. Far from seeing the book as either simplistic or cruel, Heller allows this odd text to speak to us anew about God, sin, relationships, and justice.
Throughout its history Judges has both entertained and appalled readers some read it as a series of simple stories about faithfulness and some as a brutal and bloodthirsty book. Heller explores how Judges can shape our understanding of our world, our relationships, and can provide a path to a deeper appreciation of the ways of God among people. Far from seeing the book as either simplistic or cruel, Heller allows this odd text to speak to us anew about God, sin, relationships, and justice.
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
March 12, 2019
I had the joy of sitting at Dr. Heller’s feet while studying at Perkins several years ago. His teaching breathed new life into my relationship with Scripture and, thereby, with God. Heller’s rules of reading still pop into my mind every time I prepare to preach or teach.
Opening up this book was like walking back into the classroom. How refreshing to be reminded that there are different genres in Scripture and all should not be read the same way. Judges as tragedy is very different from Judges as history. We had two sessions on Judges when I was in class, so this wasn’t altogether unfamiliar. Here, though, Heller has reflected on the whole book.
I’m glad to own my copy. We don’t read enough from Judges in the RCL - perhaps with good reason. Hard to do these narratives justice in 12-18 minutes. Yet these narratives, if not understood, can drive people away from God. They’re violent, disturbing, and theologically challenging. I am better equipped to respond to questions and to preach and teach for having read this book.
Opening up this book was like walking back into the classroom. How refreshing to be reminded that there are different genres in Scripture and all should not be read the same way. Judges as tragedy is very different from Judges as history. We had two sessions on Judges when I was in class, so this wasn’t altogether unfamiliar. Here, though, Heller has reflected on the whole book.
I’m glad to own my copy. We don’t read enough from Judges in the RCL - perhaps with good reason. Hard to do these narratives justice in 12-18 minutes. Yet these narratives, if not understood, can drive people away from God. They’re violent, disturbing, and theologically challenging. I am better equipped to respond to questions and to preach and teach for having read this book.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review