How can a loving God order genocide? | Gunnar’s Vlog
Many people struggle to reconcile the idea of a loving God with the same God who ordered what seems like genocide in the Old Testament. In this vlog, Pastor Gunnar Tesdahl tackles this tough issue, and sheds some light on a horrific practice.
Bible passages for further reading: Genesis 6:1-4; Numbers 13:25-33; Deuteronomy 32:8-9; Joshua 6:16-21; Joshua 8:26; Joshua 11:21-23. Note in these verses repeating themes: the “sons of God”; Nephilim/Anakim (or, sons of Anak); and “devoted to destruction.” The idea here is that the focus of Joshua’s campaign was not ethno-cultural people groups, but instead this lineage of the Nephilim. The others in this land were to be driven out and, in the horrific mess of war, many were simply “in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
For further reading, check out Michael Heiser’s book The Unseen Realm, especially chapter 25: Holy War.