Approaching Morally Problematic Old Testament Passages. A Critical Discussion of Gregory Boyd and Paul Copan | Amsterdam University Press Journals Online
2004
Volume 32, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 0960-2720
  • E-ISSN: 2666-9730

Abstract

Summary

In this paper, I discuss two different evangelical approaches to the question how the morally challenging passages of the Old Testament are to be interpreted. Gregory A. Boyd argues that this problem can be solved by interpreting these passages in light of Jesus’ crucifixion and death. Paul Copan, on the other hand, argues that a careful reading of the texts in question reveals that God acts in a way that is God-befitting. Although the hermeneutics of Boyd and Copan are quite different, and therefore can be defended and criticised in different ways, I argue that they are actually trying to solve the problem in a similar manner: by removing the offensiveness of the Old Testament passages in question. By contrast, I argue that the offensiveness of the Old Testament must not be removed but retained, because God reveals himself in his hiddenness, sometimes under his contradiction.

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