Let Mercy Triumph Over Judgment: Law, Mercy, and Violence in Judges (Dr. Jillian Ross)

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Jillian Ross, professor of biblical studies at Liberty University, to discuss her article in JETS titled “Let Mercy Triumph Over Judgment: A Theology of Law in Judges.” Together, they explore why the book of Judges is so ethically and theologically unsettling—and how the Torah itself provides the interpretive framework that makes sense of it. Many Christians read Judges and walk away confused: Why are leaders celebrated who seem morally compromised? Why does the narrator often remain silent when horrifying actions occur? Why does a story like Jephthah’s vow feel so wrong, and yet go uncondemned in the immediate narrative? Dr. Ross argues that Judges depicts a decline of spiritual and moral formation among Israel’s leaders and people. What remains consistent is not Israel’s faithfulness, but God’s merciful character. As the book progresses, leaders become increasingly untethered from the Word of God, and their actions grow more lawless—especially in the way they treat human life and human dignity. A key theme of the conversation is that biblical law contains internal moral priorities: some violations are not simply “mistakes,” but abominations, particularly when human dignity is destroyed. Judges highlights what happens when leaders treat sacred vows, warfare, and worship as tools for self-interest rather than acts of obedience shaped by mercy. James and Dr. Ross walk through major figures—Gideon, Jephthah, and Samson—to show how self-interest replaces communal responsibility and why even divine empowerment does not equal divine endorsement. They also discuss why Judges must be read with the Torah in hand: often the text expects the reader to recognize what is wrong without explicitly saying it. The episode closes with practical guidance for reading Judges faithfully, including Dr. Ross’s memorable framework: warfare, worship, women, and waning leadership—a set of themes that help modern readers track the book’s downward spiral and theological purpose. Subscribe to our YouTube channel 🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com. 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/  Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.