Expert: Scott Talbot - 8/15/2007

Question
QUESTION: This is somewhat about Jericho and my personal life. You should feel honored! Just kidding :D

#1)[Jericho] What was the purpose of leveling it? Hebrews come out of the desert and destroy for no other reason that God told them the promised land was nearby. Total loss of life! Not that I mind! Being American, I can understand the need for such destruction, but what was the real reason for this attack on innocents?

#2)[Jericho] Why would Rahab assist a group of men whom were going to kill her clientèle, unless she was going to get a little business on the side? I mean, the bible calls her a whore, and it's bad business to kill everyone you serve! She must have been getting a little something from the "spies". What made her do this?

#3)[Egypt] Aside from lack of pay from Pharoah for "enslavement" or conscripted civil service, why did the Hebrew sack Egypt and why did they kill all the firstborn of all unmarked doors? This is the most un-Christian act I can think of. Why did they commit such an atrocity?

#4)[Homosexuality] Personally, it's disgusting. Actually, it's an abomination. I agree with the Old Testament; kill `em all. But, being brought up in a Hellenized and Victorian world, I am taught violence is rarely the answer. Jesus reaffirms this when He says in John 15:12 in the KJV, "This is my commandment, That ye love one another as I have loved you." What is the answer? Kill them or leave them be? The same question can be asked of rebellious children or infidels. What should I do?

#5)[Personal] I have been a struggling Christian, believe it or not, for all of my life. I go to church quite often and listen and believe what I hear for the most part (politics can get in the way, I attend a Baptist church). On the other hand, I love listening to melodic death metal and gothenburg-style metal. I also enjoy the latin pop, jazz, blues and country music genres, and I live in Tennessee, a culutural wasteland! I also love to sing in church, although the music in technically boring. There is very little variation in notes played and simple chord progressions that could put anyone to sleep after one listening, which is probably why not too many people sing along in my congregation. On another note, I am approached by Atheists and fight for God, and in the same day approached by street preachers that tell me I'm going to hell because I attend the University, so I fight for "reason"! Really, I feel sick, but it might just be an gastrointestinal disorder or maybe a demon, even though I am immune because I gave my heart to Jesus when I was six years old. Baptists teach that once given, it can't be taken away. That, I don't believe. My question is, am I walking contradiction? Is it ok to listen to melodeath? After all, the Bible preaches death and revenge early on. Is it acceptable to harbor contempt for almost anyone that approaches me about religion? Should I leave this cultural wasteland that I call home?

By the way, I love reading the Bible. The quran was way to boring.

ANSWER: Hi James,

I am happy to answer your questions. However, I will be brief and to the point, since you have asked quite a number of questions, and it is getting late.

Jericho was destroyed, not by the Israelites, but by God. And the reason is that they were not innocent. They were guilty of occupying land that God reserved for Israel. Had they left willingly, the city would not have been destroyed.

Rahab assisted the spies because, despite the fact that she was a prostitute, she understood that the God of the Israelites was the one true God, and she had faith in Him. She did the right thing, despite potential harm to herself and her "business."

As for the death of the Egyptian firstborn children, it was not the Israelites that brought about their death, but rather an angel of God. God judged Pharoah and the Egyptians because, despite repeated warnings, they refused to release the Israelites from slavery.

Homosexuality. The same God who says that He despises it also stated that he loves the sinner--so much that He gave His Son to die for them. That is how we should respond--hate the sin, love the sinner.

Music. I grew up in a Baptist church, so I can identify with what you are saying. Baptists are notorious for making up a lot of rules (many of which cannot be found in the Bible) and attempting to define one's spirituality by the way in which he follows (or fails to follow) those rules. Spirituality is about one's heart and where one stands with God. Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart.

No music is good or bad. It's simply an expression of what's on the inside. The words can covey a message--good or bad. So we need to be careful about that. But music is more about an expression of what's already going on in the inside rather than being about what might impact one's insides. In other words, it might reflect one's spirituality, but I think it has very little impact on one's spirituality.

One thing I can say is that, by limiting oneself to only very traditional music, worship becomes cold, dry, and boring. I don't think that's what God intended.

I'm glad that you're reading the Bible. But choosing the Bible over the Quran should be about more than just the fact that it's more interesting. Unlike the Quran or any other book, it's God's Word, and it's one vital way in which God communicates with us.

Keep reading, keep thinking, and feel free to keep coming to me with questions. I'm happy to help, if I can.

Scott

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the reply! I was hoping it wouldn't be three days! You replied within the hour, so blessings be upon you. As stated, I'm struggling and I do mean struggling. I believe until I read passages like Joshua 7:23-26. I know why the killed Achan, but why did they kill everything he owned and his family?

I think of two reasons with God out of the story. Joshua, being a leader must admit defeat to his people. He lost Ai. He lost badly. So, every leader must do one of two things, either admit poor planning and implementation on his own part, or find a scape-goat. Achan was it. It sounds despicable, finding a scape-goat, but that's what I'm reading between the lines. As for his family, well, they might seek revenge, so they must be executed, or stoned, as well. His possessions had to be destroyed as well in order for the whole ordeal to work. Then, he decided that the original 3000 soldiers couldn't get the job done, so he sends 30,000 the next day and wins. See, God was on his side! He won and no one's the wiser because anyone who is, dies.

Well, now I've made out that I don't like Joshua. But I have great respect for him! He took not only Ai, but Bethel in that battle. He was an excellent general! First, he makes the Hebrew look weak by sending 3000 and running, then 5000 and running, and while being chased, sends the other 25,000 to sack, burn and level both towns while the guards chase a stray regiment. Genius! And, again, everyone dies. Why didn't they send a diplomat instead of the 3000, which they knew would be defeated? Or, why not kill them at the start and save time? The people of Ai were never given a chance to accept God. As far as I can see, the only people allowed to accept the Hebrew God was Rahab and her brethren. Why a whore over a city? Why wouldn't God allow maybe a few to stay? Was Jeremiah afraid the stories of an angry horde of Hebrew came through, killed almost everyone, burned the town to the ground, but kept the silver, would circulate?

As an aside, it almost seems to me that the God of the Hebrew and the God of the New Testament Greeks is not one in the same. One loves the person, but hates the sin, while the other kills the sinner and some of his own chosen people. It seems silly that he send His Son at the transition of the Roman empire, while all of his chosen ones before are to burn and populate Hell.

I don't know what God is trying to communicate to me in putting showing me these questions, but I KNOW He's there and there is overwhelming evidence that Jesus Christ was on this planet and overwhelming evidence that there is an empty tomb that He was in.

I'm struggling here and I don't get much help from the people at Church. The internet is a wonderful thing and I really appreciate your time that you put into answering my questions. Thank you! :)

Answer
Hi James,

It seems to me that you are placing too much blame or giving too much credit to men when it was God behind the act. The stoning of Achan and his family was God's idea, not that of the Israelites. And there's one very simple reason for it. Achan sinned, and God wanted to teach the Israelites (and us) just how serious sin is--that the most important thing is to trust God and obey Him.

Israel's military victories were God's victories, not Joshua's. Sure, the cooperation of Joshua and the Israelites was required. Each had his own role to play, his own responsibility. But God made it clear that He was giving the victory. Jericho was a perfect example. God brought down the walls without the Israelites' even touching them.

It's easy to think that the people of Ai and Jericho were innocent, and their deaths may seem unjustified. But Rahab knew about God and what He expected. And this implies that the others did, as well.

How do you balance love and judgment? These qualities seem like two opposite ends of the spectrum. Is God a God of love, grace, and mercy, or a God of wrath, judgment, and condemnation? The answer is that He is BOTH.

God has always hated sin. And to forgive sin and make way for mercy and grace requires a huge price. God's holiness must be satisfied and cannot be shoved aside for forgiveness to take place. It comes at a cost ... to Him.

God's patience with His people is evident all throughout the Bible. God is not quick to judge. But, if anyone (no matter how "special") continues to reject God, He will eventually give them what they deserve--judgment.

It's important to remember that God is infinitely superior to us, and He is sometimes too complex to understand. As God, He can do what He wants. It should not amaze us that anyone suffers under God's wrath. We all deserve nothing more--even the best of us. What's amazing is that He would show us His mercy. Understand that not a single one of us deserves God's mercy or grace. That any of us receive it is astounding!

It's great that you're reading the Bible and working through these issues. I understand your struggles. I've been there, and so have many others. Trust God and continue to keep the faith. God is faithful. He is a good God. And I believe that He will help you to work through these struggles.

Scott