From Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” to the idea of “holy war” is a giant leap. Yet from the Old Testament through to the Crusades and the inquisitions, Christian history is full of violence.
This lesson tackles the challenging topic of violence in the Old Testament.
Content Warning: While this segment does not display any graphic images, it does contain mature themes, including references to murder and rape, and thus may not be appropriate for younger students.
Introduce
Class Discussion
Display the images which outline 3 horrific acts of violence. Invite the students to share anything they may know about each before discussing how these crimes make them feel.
Display the discussion questions and discuss as a class.
- Do you think some crimes are unforgivable? Why? Why not?
- What emotions describe how you feel about an innocent person being murdered?
- How do you feel about someone committing a serious crime (such as murder) but never being caught and getting to live a comfortable, normal life?
- Do you think there are ever any situations in which violence is justifiable? Why or why not?
Engage
Watch & Respond
Watch the documentary excerpt ‘A Genocidal God’ (7:45).
Students create a mind map that captures the Bible’s description of what the Canaanites were like – outlining the “unspeakably evil” things they were guilty of. The class discusses the punishment they think is appropriate and their perspective on God telling the Israelites to ‘take the land’ from the Canaanites, and the limits God put in place on the nation of Israel?
Display Joshua 5.13-15 and discuss what is surprising and what this encounter shows us about God. (Genocide in the OT Slides)
Read & Discuss
Display the Richard Dawkins quote and discuss the following questions:
- What arguments do John Dickson and Iain Provan make to counter what Dawkins says?
- Are you more convinced by Dickson and Provan, or by Dawkins?
- What questions or concerns do you still have about the destruction of Jericho?
Reflect & Discuss
Display the John Dickson quote and discuss the students’ reaction to the story of the Levite and his night at Gibeah, considering why this story was included in the Bible and the point John Dickson says it is trying to make. Consider what the story has to say about humanity in general and the character of God. (Genocide in the OT Slides)
Bible Study
Students read Joshua 2:1-24 and Joshua 6:25 and answer the following questions:
- What do Rahab’s actions and her conversation with the spies show us about what she believed about God?
- Why do you think Rahab was required to tie a scarlet cord in the window?
- Improvise and perform the conversation Rahab might have had with her family after the events of ch.2.
- What might Rahab’s story show us about God’s justice and his mercy?
Consider an account of Jesus’ execution (Luke 23:33-43) and discuss how it shows us God’s view of justice and mercy.
Respond
Written Response
Students produce a written response to the following questions:
- Is it reasonable to call the battle of Jericho a “holy war”?
- Do you think Jesus is completely different from the “violent” God of the Old Testament? Why or why not?
Mini-debate
Facilitate a Mini-debate on the topic:
“Does God have the right to judge the behaviour of humans?”
Group Discussion
Display the Dawkins quote so students can compose a response ‘comment’ – sharing their opinion. (A Digital Discussion Platform might be useful?)
Extension
- Clip: The Old Testament: A context for Violence (6:17)
Students view the clip and compose an ‘online comment’ of a few sentences explaining what stood out to them or made them think, and any questions they had.