Charlie Trimm - The Destruction of the Canaanites: God, Genocide, and Biblical Interpretation

This review of major voices in the discussion of a timely topic provides the reader with valuable perspectives to consider the question. Everyone interested in the theological issue of the violence of the biblical God, especially in the wars with the Canaanites, will benefit by reading this work.

Richard S. Hess

Denver Seminary

This is a learned and thoughtful discussion. In an area where there is usually much heat Trimm increases the light.

R. W. L. Moberly

Durham University

Drawing on his expertise on warfare in the ancient Near East, Trimm outlines and critiques common approaches to this vexing ethical issue and considers their implications. Trimm does not offer a solution to the problem. Instead, he astutely lays the groundwork for a robust classroom discussion in which students can wrestle with the issues and develop their own approach to the problem of violence in the Old Testament.

Carmen Joy Imes

Biola University

This excellent volume takes an honest, hard look at the ways in which biblical scholars have tried to explain the moral challenge posed by the stories of the conquest of Canaan in the Bible. No easy solutions are offered, but the reader will come away with a far better grasp of the nature of the problem.

Gary A. Anderson

University of Notre Dame

If you are overwhelmed not only by the ethically problematic nature of the Canaanite conquest but also by the number (and size!) of books written on the topic, start here with Trimms short and accessible Destruction of the Canaanites. Trimm helpfully provides background on the ancient context, on the concept of genocide, and on the identity of Canaanites, before carefully working through possible interpretational solutions to the problem. Im confident that readers will greatly appreciate, as I did, Trimms wisdom and perspective on this difficult subject.

David T. Lamb

Missio Seminary

Here is an honest engagement with one of the longstanding ethical problems raised by the Bible, marked by dialogue among diverse perspectives, fair assessment of their strengths and weaknesses, and an invitation for readers to join an ongoing conversation whose conclusions have not been predetermined. The book reads like a class discussion guided by a wise teacher committed to generous, multiperspectival dialogue. Trimms attention to the realities of ancient warfare, the historical Canaanites, and modern genocide studies adds a depth rarely seen in similar treatments, even as the books brevity makes it a usable primer to resource a more extensiveand still all-too-neededdiscussion about God, violence, and the Bible.

Brad E. Kelle

Point Loma Nazarene University

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

www.eerdmans.com

2022 Charlie Trimm

All rights reserved

Published 2022

Printed in the United States of America

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ISBN 978-0-8028-7962-2

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Trimm, Charlie, 1977 author.

Title: The destruction of the Canaanites : God, genocide, & biblical interpretation /Charlie Trimm.

Description: Grand Rapids, Michigan : William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2022. | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: An exploration of the ethical problem of Old Testament violence, with relevant background information and a survey of four different approaches to making sense of the Israelite destruction of the CanaanitesProvided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2021033068 | ISBN 9780802879622

Subjects: LCSH: Violence in the Bible. | GenocideBiblical teaching. | CanaanitesBiblical teaching. | Bible. Old TestamentCriticism, interpretation, etc. | BISAC: RELIGION / Biblical Criticism & Interpretation / Old Testament | POLITICAL SCIENCE / Genocide & War Crimes

Classification: LCC BS1199.V56 T75 2022 | DDC 241/.697dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2021033068

Quotations of the Bible follow the English Standard Version unless otherwise noted.