Where is Jesus in the Old Testament Violence? with Dr. Matthew Lynch

On today's episode, we have Dr. Matthew Lynch, a professor, author, and podcaster, who shares his insights on the Old Testament and how his studies in Israel captured his imagination and deepened his understanding of its context.

In this conversation, Dr. Lynch challenges the notion that the Old Testament is simply a source of spiritual edification and life lessons and instead highlights its complexity, tension, mystery, and wonder. Specifically, the conversation centers around the concern with violence in the Old Testament and how it is portrayed in texts such as Genesis three, four, and Six, as well as the flood story.

Dr. Lynch rejects reductive and simplistic readings of the text and instead proposes a non-reductive engagement with the problem of violence, acknowledging the exciting and fascinating world of the Old Testament. He warns against bifurcating Jesus and the Old Testament God and proposes a Christotelic approach that reads the Old Testament in light of Jesus' life and teachings.

The conversation explores the role of divine action in the Flood story of Genesis and how it represents a controlled cosmic meltdown that allowed God to restore creation to its original state before remaking it. Although there are still questions about violence in the story, Dr. Lynch argues that it is essential to consider how the story wants us to think about God's action and the antagonist.

Dr. Matthew Lynch is a professor of theology and philosophy at Regent University and hosts the podcast, On Script. He is also the author of several books, including Flood and Fury: Old Testament Violence and the Shalom of God, which proposes a non-reductive engagement with the problem of violence in the Old Testament.