002. How to Read the Old Testament (and Still Have Faith) ft. Tremper Longman

What do we do with a God who commands violence, permits slavery, and seems to change his mind? Tremper Longman III — one of the most prolific and trusted Old Testament scholars of his generation — joins John for a conversation about the parts of Scripture that trouble us most, and why sitting with that trouble might be more formative than explaining it away. AMA Opportunity:Leave us a review ahead of our launch for a chance to ask John a question on an upcoming episode. Here's how: follow the podcast, leave a review, take a screenshot, and email it with your question to [email protected]. We'll answer selected questions in a future episode. One question per person; screenshot required.About Tremper Longman III:Tremper Longman III is Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Westmont College, and one of the most widely read Old Testament scholars in the evangelical world. He holds a PhD from Yale University and has written or edited more than 35 books — on Genesis, the Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, and the theology of God as warrior, among much else. He has served as a consultant on major Bible translation projects and scholarly initiatives including BioLogos, which explores the relationship between science and faith. What this conversation explores:Why the New Testament is nearly incomprehensible without the Old, and what we lose by skipping the first two-thirds of the storyHow genre shapes the way we read Genesis: what it means that it is history, and what it doesn't mean, and why Augustine and Origen were already asking these questions long before DarwinThe five phases of God as divine warrior from the conquest narratives through the cross to the final judgment, and why that arc matters for how we hold the violence in JoshuaWhat honest scholarship looks like when the text still troubles you: Tremper names what he cannot yet resolve about the commanded destruction of women and children, without flinching and without fixing itHow the Psalms of lament (and Psalm 77 in particular)  gave Tremper language for his own seasons of grief, confusion, and anger toward GodWhat the Old Testament actually says about Israel, chosenness, and the current conflict in the Middle East and why "Israel right or wrong" is a hermeneutical errorResources Mentioned:Confronting Old Testament Controversies — Tremper Longman IIIBreaking the Idols of Your Heart — Dan Allender & Tremper Longman IIIBold Love — Dan Allender & Tremper Longman IIICry of the Soul — Dan Allender & Tremper Longman IIIIs God a Moral Monster? — Paul CopanJacob I Loved — Joel KaminskyThe Late Great Planet Earth — Hal LindseyThe Story of God Bible Commentary Series — Tremper Longman III & Scot McKnightTexts in Context: The Old Testament (forthcoming) — Tremper Longman IIIThe Book of JobAbout Formation:Formation is a podcast produced by Become New that explores the science and soul of spiritual formation.  John Ortberg sits down with some of the most rigorous and honest thinkers working at the intersection of faith and human flourishing for extended, unhurried conversations about how we are being shaped. New episodes every other week, wherever you listen to podcasts.Connect with Formation:Website: [www.formationpodcast.com]Newsletter: [www.formationpodcast.com/subscribe]Socials: [@formationjohn]The conversation doesn't have to stop here. Formation is produced by Become New, a community dedicated to helping you grow spiritually... one day at a time. Subscribe for daily teaching from John Ortberg at becomenew.com/subscribe.