Speaker: Jeff Jarvis
So recently I stumbled onto the old children’s fairy tale called Hansel and Gretel written by the Brothers Grimm in 1812. Do you remember this one? I remembered the name but couldn’t remember how the story went. But when I read the actual tale, honestly I was horrified. Some of the themes and details? So disturbing! I’m talking about parental abandonment, cannibalism, child slavery, murder. This story is so twisted! How could a tale like this be told to school-aged children? How could it find it’s way into so many homes and libraries and have had so much influence to become a part of popular culture for 100’s of years?
Many of us have had similar reactions to certain stories in the bible. I’m referring specifically to some of stories of the Children of Israel warring against other nations. These are among some of the most frustrating and disturbing. How do you wrap your head around God-ordained invasion and genocide of other people groups? And not just of their military foes, but of women, and children, even babies? The details of some of these stories can be so problematic. Twisted enough for many who have studied them, to run from any form of religion that promotes the use of the bible in any way.
We want to show you a way through this challenge, and even better, to reveal some spiritual wisdom that I think these war stories contain that you’ll find very helpful for your own spiritual journey. If you know someone who has struggled with the Bible? Invite them to the gym this Sunday.