GenRef Podcast: Jewish Holy War

“When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the open wilderness where they pursued them, and all of them to the very last had fallen by the edge of the sword, all Israel returned to Ai and struck it down with the edge of the sword. And all who fell that day, both men and women, were 12,000, all the people of Ai. But Joshua did not draw back his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he had devoted all the inhabitants of Ai to destruction. Only the livestock and the spoil of that city Israel took as their plunder, according to the word of the LORD that he commanded Joshua. So Joshua burned Ai and made it forever a heap of ruins, as it is to this day. And he hanged the king of Ai on a tree until evening. And at sunset Joshua commanded, and they took his body down from the tree and threw it at the entrance of the gate of the city and raised over it a great heap of stones, which stands there to this day.” (Joshua 8:24-29)

It was our distinct pleasure to speak with Dr. Hershael York, Professor of Preaching at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, about the issue of Holy War/Genocide. While the subject is centuries old, the issue is still timely, causing both Christians and non-Christians to ask questions about the morality of the Jews entering and conquering the Promised Land.

Listen in to the discussion as we delve into the topic, spring-boarding off Dr. York’s excellent message, Apologia Pro Morta Sua, a candid and theologically informed lecture delivered at Southern Seminary. While you do not need to listen to the message in order to follow the interview, we heartily recommend it for your edification and enjoyment.

Download the Podcast here.