God Is a Man of War

The Problem of Violence in the Old Testament

By: Stephen De Young

Narrated by: Stephen De Young

Length: 4 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

Infanticide. Holy war. Divine wrath. Violence in the Old Testament has long been a stumbling block for Christians and skeptics alike. Yet, conventional efforts to understand this violence - whether by downplaying it as allegory or a relic of primitive cultures, or by dismissing the authority of Scripture altogether - tend to raise more questions than they answer.

God Is a Man of War offers a fresh interpretation of Old Testament accounts of violence, by exploring them through the twofold lens of Orthodox tradition and historical context. Father Stephen De Young examines what these difficult passages reveal about the nature of Christ and His creation, bearing witness to a world filled not only with pain and suffering - often of human making - but also with the love of God.

©2021 Stephen De Young (P)2021 Stephen De Young

great intellectual presentation

the topics presented in this book need to be discussed more frequently. I think some people struggle to think outside of particular western paradigms of scholarship and need this type of presentation to challenge their contemporary presumptions. I appreciate the reminders in the book that these were communities of people with similar social, political, and personal issues and ideas and language morphology must consider these things in context to these.

Solid answers and explanations

Delves into difficulties in our understanding of scripture and provides clear context for passages that confuse modern readers

Why does God seem to do bad Things?

If you’ve ever asked this question in relation to the Old Testament of the Christian or Jewish scriptures, Fr. Stephan has some answers. Well researched, footnoted and organized, you will hear the spiritual and historical background behind several of the Bible’s most difficult and violent episodes. Highly recommended.

Amazing book, a must read for Christians

This book answered so many confusing and seemingly controversial/contradictory passages in the old testament. it demonstrates that correct translation and correct interpretation are essential to know who God is and what He does.

Another banger from Stephen De Young

Not bad for a D&D kid turned orthodox priest. He’s got a fascinating and deep take on the scriptures through the orthodox lens. I count myself as one that loves it when he talks giants.

Answered Questions

This book answered a lot of questions I've had since I was a child. Will be rereading.

Excellent follow up to Religion of the Apostles

This is another excellently narrated book with exquisite insight into the scriptures and Orthodox meditations on them. Very edifying and I’m grateful to have found Mr. De Young in my spiritual evolution.

AWESOME

great follow up to the religion of the apostles . another classic of modern orthodox scholarship

The other side of the coin.

This book dealt with the problem of violence in scripture in a holistic and historical way. Concisely covering both the issues and the worldviews and assumptions we as modern readers bring to the table, without excusing the difficulty of what we find in the Bible. If we can pause for a moment and not carry all the luggage of our current cultural taboos and moral preening at this ancient text; we may find the heart behind it, and maybe new life in its darkest passages without arbitrarily throwing them away because our morality is so advanced. Highly recommend!

Necessary read

Excellent book covering the violence in scripture and explaining the nuance that exists therein.