Jump directly to Seeking Understanding of Violence in the Bible
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer interviews Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter, Director for the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence Bristol, about her research that seeks an understanding of violence in the Bible.
Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter founded the Centre for the Study of Bible and Violence just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and now has nearly a dozen research students involved, a podcast, a resource site for religious leaders, and forthcoming publications. CSBV is a nonprofit organization, and even if you cannot participate in the higher level scholarship, you can donate to CSBV to support the work of this research.
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
Books:
God of Violence Yesterday God of Love Today? by Helen Paynter
The Bible Doesn’t Tell Me So by Helen Paynter
War in the Hebrew Bible: A Study in the Ethics of Violence by Susan Niditch
Ethics of War in Ancient Israel and Assyria by Carly Crouch
The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest: Covenant, Retribution, and the Fate of the Canaanites by John Walton
Did God Really Command Genocide?: Coming to Terms with the Justice of God by Paul Copan & Matt Flannagan
Podcast:
Guns and God Podcast, a podcast exploring issues of violence in religious movements.
Resources for Religious Leaders:
Sunday Sermon, Monday Morning, a blog for pastors and lay leaders.
Seeking Understanding of Violence in the Bible
Dr. Erica Mongé-Greer, holding a PhD in Divinity from the University of Aberdeen, is a distinguished researcher and educator specializing in Biblical Ethics, Mythopoeia, and Resistance Theory. Her work focuses on justice in ancient religious texts, notably reinterpreting Psalm 82’s ethics in the Hebrew Bible, with her findings currently under peer review.
In addition to her academic research, Dr. Mongé-Greer is an experienced University instructor, having taught various biblical studies courses. Her teaching philosophy integrates theoretical discussions with practical insights, promoting an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.
Her ongoing projects include a book on religious themes in the series Battlestar Galactica and further research in biblical ethics, showcasing her dedication to interdisciplinary studies that blend religion with contemporary issues.