Show Them No Mercy

As my "Currently Reading" list has dwindled, I have been in search for new books to read. Not that I am in short supply of books to read, but it is a matter of selecting which book from my "to read" pile should be next. And I think I have selected one. It is an academic book that I have had for probably a year, but it adresses a question that goes back in my mind for many years, and in the collective mind of the world for generations.

I believe that I am going to reaed "Show Them No Mercy", edited by Stan Gundry. It is a counterpoint book on the Canaanite Genocide. Four authors share their takes on what was happening theologically when God commanded Joshua et. al. to "destroy [the canaanites] totally...and show them no mercy." I am sure you can see how this is a HUGE issue. Two reasons predominate my concern about this issue: 1. What is the difference between genocide back then and genocide today? (e.g. Rwanda, Darfur, Slobodan Milocivek) and 2. Isnt God the same Jesus who told us to love our enemies, and who displays that quality himself? Whats the difference?

Some might laugh at how anxious I am to read this book. Not at all anxious as in excited, more anxious as in terrified. What am I going to think after reading all of these author's point of views? It is dangerous because it has immense ramifications on how one views the character of God and/or the continuity of scripture. It speaks to issues as huge as the divinity of Christ. It calls into question everything on some level. That can be a pretty scary undertaking. In the introduction, the editor commented that this is often an issue that Christians kindly shove to the recesses of their mind so that they (hopefully) never have to think about it again. It has been that way for me to some extent, but I believe that if something is not allowed to be questioned, it is neither honest or true, and probably isnt worth holding on to.

So I guess, here we go. I hope I gain clarity more than despair in the process!!!