SEPTEMBER 11, 2001, brought us face to face with the stark reality of jihad. But holy war is neither new nor the invention of Islam. The Old Testament writings record what amounts to Canaanite genocide in the name of Yahweh. How do we reconcile this with the teachings of Jesus, who commands us to love our enemies and overcome evil with good? If our theology bears its fruit in our behavior as Christians, then we cannot ignore the question of violence in the Bible. Is there continuity or discontinuity between the Old Testament concept of holy war and New Testament ideals? Do we serve the Lord of Hosts or the Prince of Peace - or is God both? How should our actions reflect his character in these dangerous desperately needy times? The four views presented in Show Them No Mercy are quite different, yet all lie squarely within the evangelical tradition. This book gives each view a forum for presentation, critique, and defense. It allows you to compare different perspectives on holy war, divine judgement, and the use of deadly force to arrive at your own conclusions on what the Bible teaches.
