Confronting Old Testament Controversies: Violence, Sexuality, and Scientific Integrity - w/ Tremper Longman III

Voxology

Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy, Society & Culture

4.8 • 1.1K Ratings

🗓️ 22 April 2019

⏱️ 54 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

How can Christians seriously engage with science, sexuality, and the violence in the scriptures while remaining faithful to the authority of the Bible? In this insightful and honest conversation, Mike Erre is joined by Old Testament scholar Tremper Longman III to discuss the hermeneutical frameworks required to address some of Christianity's most pressing—and often divisive—topics. Drawing from his new book, Confronting Old Testament Controversies, Tremper unpacks the complexities of evolution, interpretation, LGBTQ+ inclusion, biblical violence, and how the ancient text still speaks to our modern context. This episode is both an academic and pastoral invitation to wrestle openly and faithfully with the Bible's hardest questions.

Key Takeaways: • Scripture and Hermeneutics Matter Deeply – Misusing or misunderstanding the Old Testament through poor hermeneutics has led to destructive interpretations, from colonialism to political idolatry. • Why the Old Testament Still Matters – Tremper explains why dismissing the Old Testament creates theological gaps and ends up distorting the portrait of God found in the New Testament. • Is the Bible Anti-Science? – A deep dive into how Genesis was never meant to teach science and why a theologically responsible reading of evolution can affirm God's creative providence. • Violence in the Bible Isn't a Problem to Erase – Tremper critiques both conservative and progressive attempts to soften or explain away divine violence, and instead frames it as essential to God's battle against evil. • Sexuality and the Limits of Interpretation – Why Tremper argues that reinterpreting biblical texts on same-sex relationships departs from historical consensus, and how love and truth must work together. • Living in the Tension of Phase Four – Tremper outlines his "five-phase model" of God's warrior motif, highlighting how the church today lives in a nonviolent, spiritual resistance aligned with Christ's first coming while awaiting the final victory described in Revelation.

Guest Highlights: Tremper Longman III – Renowned Old Testament scholar, retired professor at Westmont College, and author of over 30 books. His latest work, Confronting Old Testament Controversies, challenges believers to tackle real issues with theological conviction, historical awareness, and spiritual humility.

Resources Mentioned: • Confronting Old Testament Controversies by Tremper Longman III – Amazon • The BioLogos Foundation – biologos.org • Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy – [Link] • "God Is a Warrior" by Tremper Longman III and Daniel G. Reid – [Link] • Greg Boyd's "The Crucifixion of the Warrior God" – [Link] • Tim Keller on Politics and the Church – [Link] • Miroslav Volf Quote from Free of Charge – [Link]

Ready to dig beneath the surface and question with courage? Subscribe to Voxology and join us as we reclaim the beauty and challenge of following Jesus in a complicated world.

As always, we encourage and welcome discussion as we pursue truth together. Email us your questions at hello@voxpodcast.com, and join the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

Catch full episodes on YouTube: VOXOLOGY TV Grab some podcast merch: ETSY Store Learn more: voxologypodcast.com Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify Support the podcast on Patreon

Music by Timothy John Stafford Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.

Our Merch Store! ETSY

Learn more about the Voxology Podcast

Subscribe on iTunes or Spotify

Support the Voxology Podcast on Patreon

The Voxology Spotify channel can be found here: Voxology Radio

Follow Mike on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mikeerre

Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

Instagram & Twitter: @GoneTimothy

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0	Things like the Crusades or invoking the Old Testament for the colonization of America,
0:18.0	we're all acts of sin, showing you just how important hermeneutics is.
0:29.0	Hey, everybody, Mike Erie here. Thanks for tuned in to the Vox podcast.
0:33.8	Joined today by one of my favorite writers.
0:38.8	He has Trimper Longman III.
0:41.3	Are you still teaching at Westmont?
0:43.3	Have you retired from that position?
0:45.7	I've actually retired from the endowed chair I had things,
0:50.7	but we retired a little early to move closer to our kids and grandkids out
1:00.4	here on the East Coast.
1:01.6	So I'm doing more itinerant teaching all around the world, actually.
1:05.4	Wow.
1:06.1	You're on the East Coast now.
1:08.4	Yeah, yeah.
1:09.1	We live in Alexandria, Virginia.
1:11.8	Whoa.
1:12.6	Washington, D.C. area.
1:14.9	So.
1:15.6	From, from Santa Barbara.
1:17.9	From Santa, after 19 years in Santa Barbara.
1:20.8	Before that, we were in Philadelphia.
1:22.5	So we're really.
	...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Previous episode | Next episode

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Voxology, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Voxology and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.