This video cleared up an immense amount of questions i had always carried regarding the story of Lot and his daughters, AND the story of Abraham's discussion with God as well. I really needed this information! I will use it as ground zero, as I continue to study The very essence of the questionings I have in this regard. Alicia and Clay, I know you did the video over 3 years ago. However, if you are reading this now, you need to know that you truly affected me, and blessed me 3 minutes ago. I will be doing more investigation into both of your channels. Thank you for each of your decisions to serve the living God.
Yes, it is hard to read it now because we are the most pampered society of our time, but it is impossible to interpret any historical book correctly anytime we impose "our" worldview upon the text.
Thanks for this video! Having been raised by parents who trusted Christ for salvation, being instructed at home, in church and a Christian School through 9th grade I had all kinds of knowledge about the Bible. However, as an older adult, revisiting old testament writings I became very perplexed with topics such as those addressed in this video. This information has really helped me today. Thanks again.
Unbelievably honoring to God with how this was explained! We will never be able to understand the ways of God but in humility we realize He is sovereign and we are but mere mortals! Thank you for explaining this!
"We will never be able to understand the ways of God.." It sounds like you are saying the answers given in this video are intellectually unsatisfying. I agree they are.. but THIS particular topic IS capable of being understood. There WAS justice in Israel including even the children in their targeting, because even the children were guilty. God does not command the killing of the innocent.
Of the many important points that Clay makes, the most important is how warped our view of sin has become over the past hundred or so years. It's beyond our comprehension that God would actually punish sin through violence. As such, it's easy to understand why those (like Peter Enns) who interpret the violence against the Canaanites as entirely a cultural misunderstanding of God's will by the Israelites at the time are also the same people who reject eternal damnation. Their presupposition is that God is not the sort of God who would do that. Even many evangelicals have unwittingly bought into this view of God, even if they don't draw the conclusions (yet) that Enns draws. You can certainly find this view in most megachurch pulpits.
"Their presupposition is that God is not the sort of God who would do that." If God is an angry hateful god full of revenge ready to do genocides when he can´t control himself, and Jesus would therefore not reflect God in any way" then i do not follow that god even if he existed. But if Jesus is a reflection of what/who God is, and the genocides are ancient peoples interpretations of God, then I will continue to follow Jesus.
Thank you Alisa and Clay! I have a trauma background myself. I had a feeling Clay was going to say, "Trauma induced Sexual Aberrancy is nearly impossible to reverse." He is absolutely right. There are multiple studies on childhood trauma that support this. Its a terrible truth to comprehend. Thank you for speaking truth.
@@amandamcgovern5744 ? I think we had a misunderstanding. I was trying to point out that God’s heart is always for children, no matter what. It’s okay if you disagree. We might be talking past each other. Not trying to be a bother, just thought you would like a thoughtful perspective.
Thank you, Alisa and Clay. I am mid 50's and was blessed to be raised in very sound theological Christian home, sunday school and Christian school. I always had these questions but was taught to honor, respect and fear God (not to ask too many questions, but always had a ton of them in my head) and was taught His Character qualities early on. So I knew a Holy God could not tolerate sin and He had to judge sin to balance out His Justice and Mercy. Thank you for clear, biblical, historical based answers that aids a serious follower of Christ along the paths of Wisdom and Understanding.
What a sad world we live in, so true that sin these days is taken so lightly and God who is holy and just has to pronounce judgment against it. God is indeed merciful for not annihilating us all for our wickedness. It's only through Jesus's sacrifice that God was appeased . Thanks so much, Alisa for your helpful podcast. God bless you 🙏💖
@J. Lo You did not listen or do your research before your comments. The text in question says nothing about the Israelites torturing babies. It was the Canaanites who were doing this to their own children--a reason God’s judgment fell on them
@@jonatandjurachkovitch460 religion tells you you are a bad person. As they say... “Christianity tells you your sick then offers the cure..”.. it’s nonsense and I encourage using your brain to think about it for.. 5 milliseconds. You are on here endorsing child and baby genocide. Talking about how you need Christianity (the faith that forces you to support this genocide) in order to be a better person. Step outside yourself for a second. Get a shred of self-awareness. And PLEASE realize how absurd that is.
@@amandamcgovern5744 I'm endorsing God's righteous judgement. Just as when He judged Sodom and Gomorra, he destroyed a nation whose cultural unrighteousness had gotten to that extreme point (they were sacrificing their children. If that custom had continued a few more generations, even more children would have been killed) I have thought about the sickness and the cure a lot, and my conclusion is that the sickness is real, and has extreme consequences. Have you kept the ten commandments?
I was reading an eyewitness account of the holocaust the same time my devotions had me in Numbers. It was so hard not to compare the two. I understood the Cannanites practiced idolatry but didn’t understand the depth of their other sins. Thank you for helping me to distinguish between the two
I got so much from this discussion, particularly the subject about killing the children. Taking us through scenarios of what happens when children are adopted paints a realistic picture. It allowed me to expand my thinking beyond emotions which were naïve. It gives me a more rounded view based upon the Scriptures. Thank you!
I have long shared Clay Jones' video on we do not know what sin is on this topic, so I am delighted to see him on this program. Jones explains well the perspective we should have. God always knows what he's doing and he never does anything that is not wise or just.
Great discussion overall. I did find it strange how Dr. Jones had so much insight into why the Canaanite children needed to be included in God’s judgment on Canaan, and then turned around and said that they deserved eternal glorification because of an age of “innocence.” I agree that they could very well have been saved, but not because of “innocence.” Simply put, our second birth is a work of the spirit, who like the wind, “blows wherever it pleases.” We don’t know what happened to those children, but we do know that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
We also need to remember that at one point the canaanites knew God and worshipped Him. Just like Israel, they walked away from the truth and judgment came 400 years later. I think that’s also an important point to make.
A friend just recommended this video yesterday as we were discussing this very topic. I'm so glad she did! Clay and Alisa, you both have brought light to a very difficult subject and helped me to understand a bit more fully on why God chose to punish the Canaanites with death. Thank you and looking forward to more teaching so we may be prepared to give an answer to the HOPE that lies within us. Blessings!!
I thank God for you and your life and all the turmoil you have gone throught in your life. God took you through it for a reason and also blessed you with lots of talents so that you are in this position to tell us your story and how God has gotten you through it and blessed you the other side. May Our Father continue to bless you and your family continually.
Incredible show thanks Alisa and Clay! I am gonna use both of your resources to help someone 'searching' right now but this very topic is the major hangup.Thanks again.
Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
AMEN! This truth became so apparent to me when I was reading/studying the Levitical laws. There were laws that offended me. But I had to realize that because of my sin and skewed understanding I can’t fully comprehend God’s holiness.
God says that He is good, I trust that He is good. His ways are not my ways, and I may never understand Him fully, but I trust that He is good and just always.
@@alexnunn1932 I have a God who laid His life down for me and suffered so that I could live in paradise with Him. He also happens to be the same God that holds all of creation in His hands and I’m like one human amongst the billions that have existed throughout history. I definitely trust Him more than myself
Could the "uncertainty" be in that one theological view says "God ordered a genocide, but let´s call it something nicer" and another theological view says, "humans 3000 years back interpreted that God initiated a genocide". And you have followed the first theological view, but it seems a bit weird, as you realize that things may not actually be like that.
I was adopted and sexualy abused as a child by two different women. I didn't come to know some biblical truth until the age of 21. Then I was a Jehovah's Witness until January of this year. I have been brought to the Lord. Please listen to me when I Clay states that you become who your parents or abusers are. I too became sexualy active with children my own age, due hopefully to being abused by these women, I knew no boundaries, I was and am to this day a broken vessel. I thank God that I have been rescued. I thank Jesus Christ so much!! Because some days I too feel as though I could be a Canaanite. When Satan (Molech) breaks people down, we lose our moral compass. I understand today, why Yahweh had those men, women and Children killed. And for this I'm grateful. I too have died to myself. If it were not for the love of Christ, I too would be deserving of death. And this is okay, I get it. It is not my place to argue with our Creator. It is ever so important to know the facts, so as to be able to defend the facts. As an abused and broken person who has also perpetrated this abuse onto others as a child and teenager due to the abuse I experienced, believe what you hear. It must be so easy having grown up in a model family so to speak. But, when you have grown up with nothing but abuse and disfunction, it takes years and years and years of Christian teaching to get any normal semblance of being whole again. I cannot thank you Jesus Christ and my heavenly Father enough for seeing what good there was left in me and redeeming me for I was as good as dead and wicked to the core. This damage still manifests itself today friends in having impure and wicked thoughts which thankfully do not trouble me nor impact anyone else. I really hope that this helps Christians who have grown up in normal homes understand how and why our loving father had no choice destroying these people and their children. At least the children would have been saved and are now living in heaven until we receive our new earth and live forever with the Lord of lords and kind of all king's, come Lord Jesus come. Amen. And thank you having mercy on a sinner like me xxx
@Gabriel76 Reading your comment reminded me of Psalm 111: _The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise_
So sad we really do still get people defending genocide, making all sorts of excuses, but no explanations. Sadly history has had too many apologists, not enough humanists.
Killing giants is not a genocide it's defense of humanity. The Canaanites were a part of the nephilim descendants which were killing humans and teaching humans to war and worship demons. It wasn't a genocide.
@@Ozzyman200 the nephilim weren't "a group" of people with different ethnicity or language. They were nephilim.. not even fully human. They were trying to corrupt the human species. It wasn't "genocide" of humans.
@@valeriehinkle8995 Well, you believe in magic giants, so you were easily convinced. So genocide is fine, as long as you can be convinced they're very different from you. This is why apologists fail on morality.
@@Ozzyman200 with that response you prove you know nothing about biblical history, have no experience with in depth scripture study, and are clueless about world history. Giants were real. Their skeletons have been found, their artifacts have been found and there are tons of oral traditions passed down for generations among American native tribes, and there are written documents like letters, testimonies from explorers and old maps that attest to the existence of giants. Why do you think the region of Patagonia is called Patagonia? The word means giant feet. Stop labeling others fanatics or racists just because you don't know history. Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you can wrongfully accuse me of something that you have no idea what you're talking about. Do some research bud.
Before I became a true Christian I heard a statement that stunned me. The individual said that God was the greatest murder that ever existed. He mention the killing of the Canaanites especially the children and babies., I almost agreed with him but I didn't have much bible knowledge., With God's grace a few years later I became a repentant born again Christian and was fortunate enough to attend a verse by verse teaching bible church. Besides the regular Sunday teachings we also had bible studies on Wednesday and Friday. In one of these studies we were in this section where the Canaanites were killed. The pastor pretty much explained, as you two did, and I came away with a better understanding of God's mercy and justice. To God be the glory.
This woman. One of the best shows on utube as good at the long form interview as Dr Sean McDowell, Megyn Kelly, or anybody. Great guests. I learn so much here. So encouraging. God bless her, what a gift to find this show.
Thank you, this cleared up so much for me about the reason God would call for the deaths of children. I have friends who have either adopted or fostered and the children wanted their biological parents just as you said.
Wow I did not know the depth of this about the Canaanites. THANK you for this video. This helps to understand so much. My daughter and I hear so many questions and comments about the Bible. I have started listening 🎧 to Frank Turek who also has answers to so many questions. THANK you both.
Thank you for this! The pastor at the church I currently attend said that God was using Hyperbolic War Rhetoric and didn’t mean that ALL canaanites needed to be killed. This didn’t sit well with me, as the tone was similar to… “Did God really say…?” This helped to clarify! The comment about it not always being morally wrong to kill the innocent seems hard to digest. Especially as I’ve just finished Scott Klusendorf’s book The Case for Life, which bases it’s argument against abortion as it being morally wrong to take the life of an innocent human being. I’m curious to know how CJ would reconcile these two topics that stand on similar ground. Thanks!
Alissa, thanks for the interview. I'm a conservative Christian, and I think your conversation partner made good points. However, I think the biggest discomfort I have with these texts is NOT that infants and children were killed, but that the ISRAELITES THEMSELVES had to do the killing. it's just very difficult for me to imagine being an Israelite soldier in that position. This is why I have no difficulty with the Flood (done by God), but more unease with this passage. Not that it's causing any fundamental slide away from the faith for me, since I've struggled with this for decades. But if you perhaps have time to speak to this, that'd be great!
@@etiennebisset5642 Let me affirm for the record that God has every right to administer justice by the hands of the Israelites. I'm just being honest and saying that I'm glad I've never been asked to do that myself.
Al, everyone who is employed owes their employment to the employer, and must perform according to the rules of that employer, not their own rules otherwise they will be fired from that organization; and that is the right of every employer. Do you remember when God used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to chastise Israel? Do you remember when God used the Assyrians to chastise Israel? Everyone created by God, and that does include everyone, owes their very existence to God and He has the absolute right to make sure that they live according to His rules. As far as the children involved are concerned two things should impact our understanding here. The first is the difficulty Moses and the Israelites had leaving Egypt with a mixed multitude (people including themselves in the exodus for totally opposite reasons because they had totally opposite worldviews). The second is the widely held mindset held here in the USA that, even despite the evidence, there is only a blob of tissue in the womb not a baby. So, how are we not like the Canaanites?
The fact so many 'pastors' do not teach why God sent His people to judge Canaan is an indictment of those 'pastors'. The fact is, they don't know. They either haven't read the scriptures dealing with it or they haven't understood them. The same problem so many of them have with Genesis first eleven chapters relating to Creation etc..
What an edifying conversation and fantastic perspective on so many angles! Know what else is fantastic? That we can KNOW where we go when we die... Are you going to heaven? Most people would say that they’ve been good enough to get into heaven. Would you pass the test? Let’s take a quick look! 1. How many lies have you told in your whole life? 2. Have you ever stolen anything no matter how little the value? 3. Have you ever use the Lords name in vain (like OMG)? These are three of the 10 Commandments and if you answered yes to these questions that would make YOU like the rest of US. Judged by God’s standards, would you be innocent or guilty? Heaven or hell? The 10 Commandments are God’s moral law and we’ve all broken them. The Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) which means we have all earned death (hell). But because of God’s love he has provided a way to heaven (1 Timothy 2:4). He sent his son Jesus Christ to pay the price for us. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins (1 John 2:2) and rose bodily from the grave three days later to give us life. Jesus took the punishment we deserve on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). If we believe and put our trust in Him we too can have eternal life in heaven (Acts 16:31). Repent (which means turn from your sins and not live the life of a hypocrite) and trust Jesus today!
When I was very young, between 3-7 my family read the Bible and talked to me about the Bible and stories from it. My first real and only church experience was at 7. My grandparents took me to Catholic church. During this service when the "father" began reading from the book of Revelation my eyes literally closed. The More I tried to force my eyes open to read revelation I got a worse and worse headache. After this I went home and prayed. God told me to read the entire book before I read Revelation. So I began. Over the next 17 years I read and studied the Bible in its entirety, but eventually focused on the new testament, specifically Matthew Mark Luke and John.....during this time between 7 and 24 years old many times I tried to read revelation, even just a few sentences. And every time I tried to read it my eyes would physically close and I would get a headache. However, I did read the first few verses of revelation MANY times over that period as I started the book of Revelation a thousand times, but I couldn't get past the first 4 or 5 verses when I tried. Sometime in the summer of 2000, when I was 24, I began trying to read the book of revelation and this time God let me. No more headaches or eyes closing. It was then very shortly into reading it something stuck out, But I didn't know exactly what, It was a feeling in my gut, so I asked God what am I missing.. He said "Listen closer." After reading the beginnning of revelation numerous times I finally realized I recognized a phrase, Rev...1:3. "for the time is near". Until this point I even though I had read it numerous times before, I was so focused on reading more before my eyes would close and a headache would start I didn't hear it closely until this point. I immediately began searching where else I heard that phrase. Soon I found it; In Luke chapter 21, verses 7-8: This is where Jesus Christ specifically tells us to not follow the many who come in his name claiming 'I am He' and "the time is near"- Jesus says do not follow those who use that exact phrase. I eventually googled the phrase and found that the author of revelation uses that phrase twice. I asked God if what He was showing me is proof that he warned US about Revelation and that it is a false prophecy- He said "what does My Word The Bible say?" Listen, the reason how I know this doesnt matter because it doesn't change what Jesus says; Jesus says do not follow the many who come in His name claiming 'the time is near' - the author of Revelation then uses that EXACT phrase TWICE, once in the first chapter and again in the last chapter: effectively sealing the entire prophecy called Revelation with a phrase JESUS CHRIST tells us not to follow anyone who uses it. Since 2000 I have been quietly talking to people and showing them this. Whomever will listen- which hasn't been many. In August of this past year(2020) I asked God what else am I supposed to do. He said make a video and tell everyone. So, I did. ua-cam.com/video/SN5GjLnW2SY/v-deo.html If you have questions, ask away. your brother, Adam A
Hello my friend the verse says "I am He AND the time is near". So people claiming to be God and predicting the apocalypse. As an ex New Ager I can tell you that in my old community people regularly said I Am Christ consciousness etc and they said the time is near. They called it the great awakening. The Apostle John never claimed to be God my friend. I think if you were willing to look at the Greek the words are most likely different but they're same in English because our language is way more simple than Greek. John is not the anti-Christ. I also saw what you said about how you couldn't read revelation with out getting a headache and getting drowsy. The sounds like demonic oppression to me and I actually felt a bit drowsy and spaced out watching your video which is a big red flag and leads me to think that there is a demonic spirit behind your video. Please do some prayer and fasting and pray for deliverance.
Thank you for the video! Perfect timing, I was just reading This in the Bible last week and was asking God for clarity on it and was pleasantly surprised right now by the video and to make things better Clay Jones is the one being interviewed. I really love his work!
Just reflect for a few seconds... if you happened to be born as a Canaanite, yes you saw some bad people, but you also knew good neigbours and family, you got some children and worked for them to get food, and tried to teach them something, and then God decided that he will send a group of people to totally destroy everything, and kill everyone, including your children. Can you explain to me what CLARITY and PLEASANT SURPRISE you have found in that? As for me it is clear that it is quite evil. If I acted as God was described to do, would you say my actions were good?
@@nathanaelh4750 One thing is if deals with the issue, another thing if the arguments are good enough to be taken seriously, or if they are like "hey we need to find a spin how to get out of this". There are many unsolved problems with the claims made. If I was in court and had those two as my lawyers, I would be afraid I am loosing the case. As an example the reference to flight 93 is very weak, as flight 93 was destined for a suicide mission = all people onboard would be killed ANYWAY, so taking down that plane was 1) not for the purpose to kill them all 2) the pilots lives could save more lives on the ground. When God orders to kill (against his own commandment ?????) it is not with the purpose to save lives, it is a brutal genocide, where the victims of rape (they tried to describe) were also chosen to die, as if they were the perpetrators.
@@nathanaelh4750 I asked you a question and you ran for the hills for some reason. Nathanael, why was it ok to slaughter the innocent babies and young children?
@@nathanaelh4750 let me ask you a hypothetical: is there ANYTHING the Bible could say that would make you think critically? In the video, the apologists suggest that if a reader doesn't understand something in the text it is ALWAYS the readers problem (epitome of cult thinking I might add). What if the Bible said explicitly "raping children is holy" and then gave instructions on how to do it.? Would that passage just be something to which you said "I don't understand yet but that is my problem and I'm sure God had a good reason."? Or would that cause you to question whether or not the text was actually from a god. This is an important question to consider. IS THERE ANYTHING THE BIBLE COULD SAY THAT WOULD MAKE YOU RECONSIDER ITS DIVINITY?
Hey Alisa, I want to thank you for your book. I’ve been reading through it these past couple months, and it has been such a blessing. I encountered Progressive Christianity last year while working, and it challenged my faith like never before. Your book has really helped me in my Christian walk, and I thank you for the hard work you put into it. May our Lord Jesus bless you and your family in these coming years.
Listening to this breaks my heart...because I shared it with my son and he says he disagrees with your premise and its acceptance of its necessity, making it a list of ancient practices we would either find abhorrent or fine, depending on where we are on the earth....he is so lost. Please pray for him. Culture and Intellect are his gods.
I think he is using his mind. What is wrong with questioning or trying to find out why things are troublesome. It is a normal process of having a mind that allows you perceive, analyse and question. If I had a son like that I would encourage him to read, listen, research those things he questions and let truth lead him where it may. Good luck.
Laurel Webster, I will pray for your son. My son would probably say the same thing and I haven't had a chance to share this with him. He was raised in a loving, Christian home, Sunday School and Youth Group but his present World view does not show it. 🥺😰 it is definitely heartbreaking! 💔
Mildred Martinez, I myself love to study, dig, research and learn and I question stuff all the time, from news, to politics, to my pastor's sermons, to internet information. I would strongly encourage someone to do that. Sadly, my own son and many of his generation do not want to study, research or engage in friendly, intellectual discusson. They seem to want to argue or press their view, without hearing anyone that disagrees with them. I would love to sit down with my own dear son and be able to have a meaningful conversation and bounce ideas off each other. I keep hoping and praying for that anyway. And with this particular information, I feel hopeful that maybe we finally can. 🙌🙏
Perhaps your son is naive to how grave sin really is. Coming from a broken home and having experienced many upsetting things in my upbringing, I often think some children who are sheltered (with the best intentions of their parents) have a poor understanding of how devoid of any good and depraved some people can be, so they find God’s judgement and laws to be ‘too harsh’, not realising what those laws and judgements truly restrain. But, it may just be he has to go through a time of having his eyes opened to these things, before he can return to you and appreciate your position.
Thank you! Yes! I love how completely you explained all this. I'm just beginning to read your book on Evil. I particularly appreciate that you covered that the children likely went to heaven. When we look at the age God separated the children of Isreal who lived to see the Promised Land and who died in the Wilderness, it gives us clues to age of accountability. In this light, God IS merciful in taking out the children of Canaan. This seems consistent with His character, too. He is good and He is just. His ways are higher than ours.
So kuch to think about here! I happened to read this very passage this morning, then found this a few hours later. Really good info, and helped a lot to think through some difficult issues! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this biblical and truth filled explanation. I have wrestled myself as I read through scripture with why God took the lives of a whole nation and why He took the children. But this explains so much. Thank you 💕
This was a great podcast. Very insightful and informative. I have been deeply contemplating this podcast for a couple days and now have a legitimate concern. Particularly about the children. As I was thinking about how we've come to this conclusion that God ordered the killing of innocent children for the good of Israel's sake, and that in doing so God was merciful to them in ultimately saving them, how can I present this to someone without them turning around and saying to me, "Then why are you against abortion? Wouldn't this logic justify abortion?" Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
Christian, I'm thinking through your concern in context of the information shared in this video and I have a couple clarifying questions... 1. Who would Israel be (God ordered the killing of children for Israel's sake) with regard to the abortion situation? 2. Do you think it makes a difference whether it is God ordering the killing vs a man or woman who doesn't want it? If so, what is the difference? 3. With the abortion scenario, if God isn't the one ordering it, then who is the one being merciful to the children being killed? These are not scarcastic questions, I'd really like to know your thoughts. Blessings to you!
Years ago I struggled with these questions; why does the Lord destroy a nation or a people? Why would the Lord kill Uzza, when all he did was try to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. The book of Judges is excellent for revealing the cycles of disobedience and obedience. We're no different and must be warned repeatedly. Romans 11:22 KJV - Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. Isaiah 63:10 ESV - But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. Romans 15:4 ESV - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Can you have a guest on to discuss the concept of slavery as it is outlined in the OT? The differences between Hebrew and non slaves, etc. This is something a lot of us struggle with and I know unbelievers struggle with it too.
This was really good. I love that he preached the Gospel towards the end. I always listen to the Gospel presentation as if it was my first time. Such a great reminder.
Christians of UA-cam who don’t think this video was sick: Is there ANYTHING the Bible could say that would make you question it’s divinity? Anything at all?
This guy is speaking the truth, even though it's a very hard to hear. I was adopted at birth, met my mother at age 16 and my father at age 27--I found out that we have SO much in common, it's crazy. I was always drawn to think about my biological family before I knew them. On the other hand, my adoptive parents took in three girls ages 5, 3, and 1, whose mother committed suicide--all 3 girls had different fathers who had left the mother, and there was substance abuse, sexual abuse, and also neglect. My mom who raised me always wanted a lot of children and just assumed that she'd raise these girls in the church and give them plenty of love and support and that would break the cycle of generational sin. Unfortunately, as adults, all three girls have been in and out of jail multiple times, involved in substance abuse and sexual promiscuity, etc. It's like they've been predisposed to follow in the sin of their past---and because their past is somewhat mysterious, it's like they yearn for it, even if they don't want to. (added for clarity) Yes, I agree that Jesus does not view people as completely hopeless, and nor does Jesus justify abortion, or genocide. I'm sorry that my story is so offensive. I maintain a relationship with my sisters, pray for them, and treat them with respect, and not as hopeless individuals who were offered the short hand of the stick.
@@melvinsorensen4587 The effects of sin continues throughout generations, but the life of Jesus shows even more how he came for those who've been hurt by the effects of sin. "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for ALL people- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who WANTS ALL PEOPLE to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for ALL people. " 1 Timothy 2
@@melvinsorensen4587 So, is Jesus the cult leader that you are referring to? Because, we follow Jesus, not Clay Jones. Clay Jones doesn't even follow himself and doesn't have followers. He follows Jesus. Jesus shows everyone HIS way, it's a new way, a way of humility and love. He gives everyone the opportunity to choose life instead of death and welcomes everyone who acknowledges Him as Lord to live in this new way--this way without murder, but even further, without hate, and yes, without genocide. The old has gone and the new has come. Jesus opens his arms to those who've been born into sin, those whose parents have taught them to sin, those who've been victims all their life and even if they know better, they feel entrapped by sin...he welcomes them, makes them new, and adopts them into the family of the Kingdom of His life. This is the new covenant in his blood that Jesus himself talks about and refers back to prophecies from the Old Testament (which is also called the Old Covenant) Jeremiah 31 ,“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the Lord. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 No longer will they teach their neighbor, or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the Lord. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” That scripture is also referenced in Hebrews 8, and 10 Matthew 26:27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Luke 22:20 20 In the same way, after the supper he (Jesus) took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
@@melvinsorensen4587 That's fair for you to not believe Jesus is real. So what do you believe? Yes, you've already said you're anti-cults. I'm gathering that you're really into psychology. What do you believe about spirituality, and about God?
@@songsgardensbyjenniferlynn3242 excellent question, metaphysical/spiritual/god are not provable/tangible/corporeal and is completely subjective, therefore is evidential only to the beholder... Whereas, the observable universal objective truth principles and laws of knowledge, logic, and reason that transcends history, cultures, and cannot be denied or refuted. Thus one can reasonably accept it as truth.
The Gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and again, Alisa did not include this. I love Alisa, but again, I respectfully ask her to include the Gospel in all her videos (she never forgets to ask people to become a patreon). :)
Thank You Lord. I was just reading this YESTERDAY, and was confused. I thought that was the promised land? I was struggling to move on from this passage. I looked up a few commentaries, but they didn't resolve my dis-ease with it. Thank you for helping me.
For me also Capitol Punishment is saying in effect that we can't handle this person here so we give them to God who may perfect and redeem them on the other side in ways we cannot do here.
Hi Alisa , I just discovered your Apologetics 101 podcast and was really excited because I needed a good starting point . But, I can’t seem to find any other episodes aside from episode 30 on Spotify . Was this postponed or is there anywhere I can find these posts ? Thank you !
Both Paul and Jude reference 1 Enoch in their respective epistles and held the book in very high esteem. I strongly recommend reading it to get a fuller view of the origin story of the giant clans (Nephilim) that arose due to the transgressions of the Watchers (angels) in Genesis 6. When you understand just how irredeemably evil these beings were, it is completely understandable why God would tell Joshua to devout them to destruction (annihilate them all).
If people read the Bible in its ANE context (the way it’s supposed to be read), understanding the Conquest narrative is not difficult. The issue is much of the western Church has opted to divorce the supernatural components of the Bible (Genesis 6:1-4 for instance) to take a views more palpable to our modern minds (Augustine’s Sethite view of the same passage). We lose so much when we divorce the Bible from its intended context.
There's something in the distorted heart of humanity that desires to usurp God's sovereign authority over what is truly just. We say that we want justice but really haven't considered the implications for our own lives. I would much prefer God's mercy in the Gospel rather than a Christ-less justice.
Clay Jones has monumental task of explaining intent for God's plan Judgement, redemption and salvation. At what point do the transgressions of the individual corrupt the corporate body entirely. Incest, beastiality, human sacrifice, demon worship and the question becomes why did it go on so long. A loving God could be no longer loving and judged worthy to ignore absolute moral depravity. Strong arguments here thanks and gratitude in Jesus's name no one else was found WORTHY....👆🤍👰♂️
@J. Lo they were abused and would become the abusers of other children- this is sin- this is the heart of man- ‘the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?’- God does-He gave them centuries to change (repent)- they were more interested in idol worship and depravity--God saved future generations of children being abused and other nations around Canaan who would want to copy their customs-and don’t forget it was Satan behind these ugly abuses becoz he hates mankind
This brought tears to my eyes. So much truth in this discussion. GOD REVEALED something to me from this great conversation. GOD BLESS you both. It all made so much sense to a trye BORN AGAIN believer. 🙏📖
This was a super helpful video in general! One part confused me and I’m hoping for clarity. Is Clay Jones against adoption? I know this topic isn’t the point of the video, but how he discusses modern day adoption and a accompanying article of his, makes it seem like modern day adoption is bad in some way. Can someone clarify if you know what part of the video I’m referring to?
//"When I run into a passage of scripture that troubles me, I ask 'What's wrong with me that I am troubled by what the Lord is saying?'"// Whoah. You ought to be troubled. How many times in history have people encouraged other people to do bad things, based on the idea:- a. "God spoke to me" or b. "This is the will of the Lord"? Remember how Ravi managed to kid some of those he abused into keeping quiet? Accepting an idea because "God said" is how cult leaders often manage to manipulate people. To go against what the leader says is to go against God. It often happens today. It's often happened in history. And how many believers insist that the OT is a genuine history book?
The problem with this argument is that we are not living in the same time period where the purpose of this wipe out was to establish God’s standard of right from wrong against what the people of this land had openly celebrated for over 400 years (beastiality, burning their own infants and children to death on red hot metal idols on a whim, cannibalism, murderous treacherous selfishness, etc.). We’re also talking about a time when God spoke directly to a mass of people and His presence dwelled among them in clearly visible, literal, public ways (even showing Himself to those who did not follow Him). When a pillar of fire or smoke starts speaking publicly about the cleansing of a people to modern day terrorists, we can have a discussion about the validity of of their claims. But that’s not what is happening today. With the establishment of God’s purpose for taking the land, it then lead a clear path for God’s promises of the coming Messiah. And that was the point of it all. Unfortunately, man likes to mess things up and as God promised, since the Israelites began to fall into the same horrific practices of the Canaanites, God allowed the same fate to happen to them by their very adversaries. He is consistent in His standards and judgement. To use what happens in modern times (people claiming God told them to perform some atrocity to “innocent people”) as a reason for the Canaanite conquest being in any way wrong is to not understand the context and gravity of Canaan’s depravity. Lastly, there isn’t any need for extra-biblical revelation to do such things; the Savior has already come. God’s standards have already been firmly established. It just wouldn’t make sense.
Just a quick note on your Ravi point: He targeted people who were down on their luck and too spiritually immaturely to call him out on his bs. It was spiritual abuse in every sense of the phrase, but he had ZERO biblical God-given precedent for any of his actions. Nothing he did was condoned by God and he knew it, which is why he did it all in secret.
1). We’re not living in a time when God speaks directly to our nation like in OT. 2) God speaks to us today through Christ... whose spirit is of meekness and humbleness. 3) Anyone CLAIMING to have the spirit of Christ (a believer) should have nothing but a heart for saving people with the Word of the Gospel. 4) Understand that The Bible as a single coherent message does have an actual correct interpretation which is ultimately the most perfect message of hope that any human being is capable of imaging. To single out specific events from the OT for the purpose of equivocation is simply intellectual dishonestly.
@@melindamercier6811 I gave you thumbs up on a different comment, but I have some questions here. You claim (and maybe a part of this is true) that Canaanites killed their children etc... but the problem is, that is what the Israelites do now... and if they have done it for 400 years... should God wipe them out, because of their sins? The bible says WE HAVE ALL SINNED. yes, certainly some people have done more harm than others, but in every group of people there are DIFFERENT human beings... to claim that Canaanites were ALL EVIL, even the 6 month old infant would be an untrue claim. Now to make things worse, I quote from Joshua 11:20 " For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses." Note, the LORD HIMSELF hardened their hearts... they did not choose it themselves... God did it, and then used it as an excuse to kill them ALL - WITHOUT MERCY. Now, if some Christian is fine with that, I wonder if they know Jesus at all. Yes, we should take into account the time and society people were living in, but there is no excuse for a genocide, it is not good today, nor was it 3000 years ago. Claiming it was OK, is to demolish any argument for why we should follow Christ.
@@PjotrII On Joshua 11:20, "the wages of sin is death" -with- where any given person's redemptive/tribulation period is a privilege/mercy based on grace, not a guaranteed gift and it can be revoked at any moment. It is an example of a visceral logical conclusion of the Wedding Banquet Parable.
I think assuming every word of a specific translation of the Bible is inerrant is a dangerous game, the same as those who think the Bible is wide open to any interpretation. Both spectrums are incorrect
Exactly, the focus needs to be on the original languages and original context of scripture. When read in its proper context, the conquest narrative is a non issue. When Jesus returns He will be Himself gloriously devoting many more to destruction. And God will be justified then as when He commanded Joshua.
Literally our world has ALMOST embraced Canannite lifestyle by questioning why God would bring judgment on them for sins "that aren't really that bad, I believe everyone is redeemable. God is horrible and isn't as good as everyone says He is."
Their sin was so extreme that God considered it a MERCY to allow the destruction of these people and children. Especially the children who would go directly to God instead of suffering on earth such extreme perversion. It was all sinful, it was a detriment to the Canaanites to behave like this. Think , how many parents have said " I rather see my child dead than fall into this terrible situation (be a shooter, a rapist, a drug addict, a hater of people, become hopelessly addicted, drunk, whatever. Many parents if honest will admit to saying this.
One section in the Bible is always miss understood heaven and hell is only temporary that is where our spirits go after we die but when the Lord comes all mankind will be resurrected this is talked about in first Corinthians chapter 15 the whole chapter talked about this read it for yourself and pray
I don't get if. If you don't actually think these justifications can withstand scrutiny (which you don't, otherwise you would have eagerly listed one), why are you still ok with it? That's what is baffling to me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm relieved you understand that these rationalizations don't make sense, but still... were you just wanting an explanation soo soo bad that you were willing to accept anything? Imagine your country announced that it was bombing its enemy and, the children were going to be parentless so, they were going to send in troops to each house to stab the kids and babies in the heart. Sound just fine with you?
@@amandamcgovern5744 This is to me the really scary part - that Christians who follow Jesus, the truth, who said we should not HIT BACK, we should LOVE and care for others, forgive, not 7 but 77*7* times, can, because of ONE untrue claim, come to the conclusion that God wanted a genocide, defend it and seek untrue twisted explanations to defend it. If a Christian cannot see that there is something really dizzy behind these excuses, then I wonder if that person walks in the truth and light, or if they are like a blind person who cannot lead another blind. What else could they be mislead about?
@@PjotrII after watching this video I immediately went to the comment section expecting to see push back from Christians. How naive. What I saw instead made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Blind acceptance. Incredible. Don’t they understand that the excuses in this video can and have been used to justify every genocide in history? Terrifying.
@@amandamcgovern5744 I expected mostly the comments we can read... " oohh , now I understand it"... "oooh, now it is ok"... the reason is that there is more fundamentalism in the US, than what we have in my country. I also became really happy to see your text, because it shows someone is thinking, and dear to speak truth, and question claims. Which again are not things that are highly regarded in fundamentalist circles. As I said, it scares me (not that we have different opinions inside Christianity) but that ONE FALSE CLAIM can lead otherwise honest people totally astray, and be blinded, even defend what is evil. And as you say, ANY genocide could be justified by saying - well they sinned. A nuclear attack on North Korea or Iran or anybody, Mexico (who will not pay for the wall) could be justified by "well they sinned" - and therefore this genocide is OK. It is VERY similar to the other big threath in the US, Qanon believers. Anything Q says is true, and if you would show proof of the opposite "you are wrong and Q is right"? Why - they have decided it is so. You can´t use reason and argue with that type of thinking. Christians should be educated, and they should embrace science, then we can debate and discuss different views in a serious environment. Everything good to you Amanda! At least I am confident that you won´t start the next genocide in the name of God.
There is a basis to this topic which is very evident in most, if not all, 1st world countries. It is the same issue that was brought up in the Book of Job, chapter 38, pride and ego. Who created everything, including us? Who has the right then, the absolute right, to govern that which was created? The Creator or us? For example, everyone who is employed owes their employment to the employer, and must perform according to the rules of that employer, not their own rules otherwise they will be fired from that organization; and that is the right of every employer. Everyone created by God, and that does include everyone, owes their very existence to God and He has the absolute right to make sure that they live according to His rules or they can be fired. His timing for any correction or judgment, which is His choice, is His timing according to His purposes. His methods are His methods according to His purposes and according to His perfectly just justice. I defer to the Book of Job, chapter 38.
There was a important thing missing from the Canaanites that we all have today because of Jesus's sacrifice for us...The Holy Spirit. Each one of us was given that gift with the free will to listen to it or ignore it at our own peril. The Canaanites fully reject God and His teachings and as pointed out gave them hundreds of years before destroying them.
Including the Aprocrypha (the contested books which are included in the Roman Catholic Bible but disregarded from the Hebrew version), the total number of people that were killed by God in the Bible for which specific numbers are given is approximately 2,821,364. By comparison, Satan's kill count is 10 (The 7 sons & 3 daughters of Job), & even these he shares with God, since God allowed him to do it in what appears to be a part of a bet. Job 1:1-19 seems to indicate that both Satan & God share the blame (or the credit) for these killings. Justification for these killings includes disobedience, burning of incense, complaining, homosexuality etc. God has many methods of killing; animal attacks, plagues, famines, falling walls, war, fire etc. This, of course, greatly underestimates God's total death toll, since it only includes those killings for which specific numbers are given. No numbers are provided to include the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom & Gomorrah, or the many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc. If we assign numbers by estimation to the un-numbered killings by God in the Bible, the approximate number is around 25-28 million people killed by God & only 60 by Satan.
These are hard truths to accept but i believe scripture bears out their accuracy. I have often wondered if abortion hasn't done more to fill heaven than the churches. That is a sad indictment on our generation but a beautiful demonstration of the heart of mercy in our God.
This was truly insightful. At the same time, I think this is another example of something that was intended to inform the future. Which is why we should be grateful.
We do have a natural belief that human nature (which Christ assumed btw) is naturally good. As GOD points out the "depravity" of the Amorites was NOT "total" and as such GOD waits patiently. All death is not penal as many suffer consequences from their parents behaviors. The "loss of innocence" arouses passions that are self and others destructive. We who have escaped Augustinian protestantism and are fleeing to ancient orthodoxy are very blessed no longer believing in square circles. Nonetheless this discussion by evangelical dualist has helped me some. May GOD help you all escape the confusion that death in general is penal and needs a substitute wiping boy to take the punishment. The wages of sin is death for yourself and your children as proven by our present experience. But praise be to GOD that you realize Jesus saves infants post mortem.
As the aggressor, even the self-defense argument doesn't hold. Regardless of the punishment component, and God's longterm plan of redemption, is God not commanding sin? It's difficult to square thou shalt not kill with the subsequent command to kill.
Keep in mind that God does not command never to kill (as you just point out- He demands righteous killing more than once) but rather not to murder, correctly translated. This is an interesting distinction worth researching.
When God kills somebody or commands one of his followers to execute one of His creation, He is doing so in perfectly righteous judgement. A massive difference to one human murdering another (deliberately unjustly killing another human like Cain did to Abel)?
@@adamhustler3639 It doesn't matter if would accept it or not. If I did something so horrible that God found me worthy of immediate death, and He pronounced judgement on me, there would be nothing I could do about it. Whether you carried out the sentence or something/someone else did. None of the people/spiritual beings in scripture who were judged/killed by God could do anything to stop their fate once their sentence was pronounced, so any personal opinion/distaste on the matter is meaningless. You could potentially kill me and say that God told you to, but if you are lying about that, you would have to answer directly to Him upon your own death. When you are claiming to speak for or God or allegedly carrying out one of His decrees, you better be absolutely certain that you heard those things from Him. He doesn't take too kindly to people taking His name in vain.
I'm taking the Unseen Realm class that Dr. Heiser has online. The first 15 week class was awesome and covers the first half of the book. I'm in the second 15 week session now. We just went through the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Definitely a problem with the Nephilim that needed to end.
This video cleared up an immense amount of questions i had always carried regarding the story of Lot and his daughters, AND the story of Abraham's discussion with God as well.
I really needed this information! I will use it as ground zero, as I continue to study The very essence of the questionings I have in this regard.
Alicia and Clay, I know you did the video over 3 years ago. However, if you are reading this now, you need to know that you truly affected me, and blessed me 3 minutes ago. I will be doing more investigation into both of your channels. Thank you for each of your decisions to serve the living God.
It's hard when we read scripture through the lens of our culture and time.
Yes, it is hard to read it now because we are the most pampered society of our time, but it is impossible to interpret any historical book correctly anytime we impose "our" worldview upon the text.
@@rocketscientisttoo I'd say it's hard because we have become smarter and don't just accept such silly nonsensical barbarisms that easily anymore.
@@pelgrim8640 -but it will come again.
@@masada2828 Unfortunately, yes, religious superstition keeps rearing its ugly head.
But the "nons" are fortunately growing in numbers.
So if your God told you to kill babies who can't even walk or talk yet you will do it?
Thanks for this video! Having been raised by parents who trusted Christ for salvation, being instructed at home, in church and a Christian School through 9th grade I had all kinds of knowledge about the Bible. However, as an older adult, revisiting old testament writings I became very perplexed with topics such as those addressed in this video. This information has really helped me today. Thanks again.
Unbelievably honoring to God with how this was explained! We will never be able to understand the ways of God but in humility we realize He is sovereign and we are but mere mortals! Thank you for explaining this!
"We will never be able to understand the ways of God.."
It sounds like you are saying the answers given in this video are intellectually unsatisfying. I agree they are.. but THIS particular topic IS capable of being understood. There WAS justice in Israel including even the children in their targeting, because even the children were guilty. God does not command the killing of the innocent.
Of the many important points that Clay makes, the most important is how warped our view of sin has become over the past hundred or so years. It's beyond our comprehension that God would actually punish sin through violence. As such, it's easy to understand why those (like Peter Enns) who interpret the violence against the Canaanites as entirely a cultural misunderstanding of God's will by the Israelites at the time are also the same people who reject eternal damnation. Their presupposition is that God is not the sort of God who would do that. Even many evangelicals have unwittingly bought into this view of God, even if they don't draw the conclusions (yet) that Enns draws. You can certainly find this view in most megachurch pulpits.
It’s definitely a testament to how we take God’s mercy for granted in this day and age. He is truly long-suffering.
@@melindamercier6811 Long-suffering indeed. Very well said.
"Their presupposition is that God is not the sort of God who would do that." If God is an angry hateful god full of revenge ready to do genocides when he can´t control himself, and Jesus would therefore not reflect God in any way" then i do not follow that god even if he existed. But if Jesus is a reflection of what/who God is, and the genocides are ancient peoples interpretations of God, then I will continue to follow Jesus.
@@PjotrII God is Holy.
@@PjotrII Then you are following a "Jesus" of your own making. Besides, Clay and Alisa explained why this was not genocide.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you GOD...
Thank you Alisa and Clay! I have a trauma background myself. I had a feeling Clay was going to say, "Trauma induced Sexual Aberrancy is nearly impossible to reverse." He is absolutely right. There are multiple studies on childhood trauma that support this. Its a terrible truth to comprehend. Thank you for speaking truth.
I hope you’re doing okay!!
I’m confused by this comment. Are you saying you should have been killed?
@@amandamcgovern5744 ?
I think we had a misunderstanding. I was trying to point out that God’s heart is always for children, no matter what. It’s okay if you disagree. We might be talking past each other. Not trying to be a bother, just thought you would like a thoughtful perspective.
@@samanthajeffers9339 what are you referring to here?
I would just like to point out that absolutely nothing is impossible with God. and that's a fact.
Thank you, Alisa and Clay. I am mid 50's and was blessed to be raised in very sound theological Christian home, sunday school and Christian school. I always had these questions but was taught to honor, respect and fear God (not to ask too many questions, but always had a ton of them in my head) and was taught His Character qualities early on. So I knew a Holy God could not tolerate sin and He had to judge sin to balance out His Justice and Mercy. Thank you for clear, biblical, historical based answers that aids a serious follower of Christ along the paths of Wisdom and Understanding.
This is hands down my favorite episode of this podcast. So informative and interesting. Can't wait to read Clay's book.
What a sad world we live in, so true that sin these days is taken so lightly and God who is holy and just has to pronounce judgment against it. God is indeed merciful for not annihilating us all for our wickedness. It's only through Jesus's sacrifice that God was appeased . Thanks so much, Alisa for your helpful podcast. God bless you 🙏💖
Amen. To us belong judgment but God is merciful!
@J. Lo There are no "good people". I myself am rotten to the bone. For a bad person to do good, that takes faith.
@J. Lo You did not listen or do your research before your comments. The text in question says nothing about the Israelites torturing babies. It was the Canaanites who were doing this to their own children--a reason God’s judgment fell on them
@@jonatandjurachkovitch460 religion tells you you are a bad person. As they say... “Christianity tells you your sick then offers the cure..”.. it’s nonsense and I encourage using your brain to think about it for.. 5 milliseconds.
You are on here endorsing child and baby genocide. Talking about how you need Christianity (the faith that forces you to support this genocide) in order to be a better person.
Step outside yourself for a second. Get a shred of self-awareness. And PLEASE realize how absurd that is.
@@amandamcgovern5744 I'm endorsing God's righteous judgement. Just as when He judged Sodom and Gomorra, he destroyed a nation whose cultural unrighteousness had gotten to that extreme point (they were sacrificing their children. If that custom had continued a few more generations, even more children would have been killed)
I have thought about the sickness and the cure a lot, and my conclusion is that the sickness is real, and has extreme consequences. Have you kept the ten commandments?
I was reading an eyewitness account of the holocaust the same time my devotions had me in Numbers. It was so hard not to compare the two. I understood the Cannanites practiced idolatry but didn’t understand the depth of their other sins. Thank you for helping me to distinguish between the two
I got so much from this discussion, particularly the subject about killing the children. Taking us through scenarios of what happens when children are adopted paints a realistic picture. It allowed me to expand my thinking beyond emotions which were naïve. It gives me a more rounded view based upon the Scriptures. Thank you!
I really enjoyed Clay's biblical insight! Thank you so much for standing on and promoting God's truth!
I have long shared Clay Jones' video on we do not know what sin is on this topic, so I am delighted to see him on this program. Jones explains well the perspective we should have. God always knows what he's doing and he never does anything that is not wise or just.
Great discussion overall. I did find it strange how Dr. Jones had so much insight into why the Canaanite children needed to be included in God’s judgment on Canaan, and then turned around and said that they deserved eternal glorification because of an age of “innocence.” I agree that they could very well have been saved, but not because of “innocence.” Simply put, our second birth is a work of the spirit, who like the wind, “blows wherever it pleases.” We don’t know what happened to those children, but we do know that God is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
Apologies, Clay Jones refers to exactly my comment at around the 40th minute …
We also need to remember that at one point the canaanites knew God and worshipped Him. Just like Israel, they walked away from the truth and judgment came 400 years later. I think that’s also an important point to make.
This was very helpful. Thank you for tackling this difficult concept.
Might be the best treatment of this topic I’ve ever heard.
A friend just recommended this video yesterday as we were discussing this very topic. I'm so glad she did! Clay and Alisa, you both have brought light to a very difficult subject and helped me to understand a bit more fully on why God chose to punish the Canaanites with death. Thank you and looking forward to more teaching so we may be prepared to give an answer to the HOPE that lies within us. Blessings!!
I thank God for you and your life and all the turmoil you have gone throught in your life. God took you through it for a reason and also blessed you with lots of talents so that you are in this position to tell us your story and how God has gotten you through it and blessed you the other side. May Our Father continue to bless you and your family continually.
Incredible show thanks Alisa and Clay! I am gonna use both of your resources to help someone 'searching' right now but this very topic is the major hangup.Thanks again.
Proverbs 3:5-6
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
This was sooooo good. WOW. Loved how this was explained. So confirming and makes so much sense. I could not stop "yes-ing" during this show. ❤❤
thank you for tackling the difficult issues. This is the stuff I want to understand most! Your work is so appreciated
I love that concept - if I don't understand or agree with God's word, I need to check into what's wrong with ME, not wonder about God's goodness
AMEN! This truth became so apparent to me when I was reading/studying the Levitical laws. There were laws that offended me. But I had to realize that because of my sin and skewed understanding I can’t fully comprehend God’s holiness.
If I wonder if genocide is wrong, then I turn to myself and wonder what is wrong with me, for questioning the pure goal of a genocide.
watch the whole video he deals with your argument
God says that He is good, I trust that He is good. His ways are not my ways, and I may never understand Him fully, but I trust that He is good and just always.
You sound like you have a serial killer boyfriend.
Amen! I pray for that kind of faith!
@@alexnunn1932 I have a God who laid His life down for me and suffered so that I could live in paradise with Him. He also happens to be the same God that holds all of creation in His hands and I’m like one human amongst the billions that have existed throughout history. I definitely trust Him more than myself
@@SincerelyHannah9 how do you know any of that?
Could the "uncertainty" be in that one theological view says "God ordered a genocide, but let´s call it something nicer" and another theological view says, "humans 3000 years back interpreted that God initiated a genocide". And you have followed the first theological view, but it seems a bit weird, as you realize that things may not actually be like that.
I was adopted and sexualy abused as a child by two different women. I didn't come to know some biblical truth until the age of 21. Then I was a Jehovah's Witness until January of this year. I have been brought to the Lord. Please listen to me when I Clay states that you become who your parents or abusers are. I too became sexualy active with children my own age, due hopefully to being abused by these women, I knew no boundaries, I was and am to this day a broken vessel. I thank God that I have been rescued. I thank Jesus Christ so much!! Because some days I too feel as though I could be a Canaanite. When Satan (Molech) breaks people down, we lose our moral compass. I understand today, why Yahweh had those men, women and Children killed. And for this I'm grateful. I too have died to myself. If it were not for the love of Christ, I too would be deserving of death. And this is okay, I get it. It is not my place to argue with our Creator. It is ever so important to know the facts, so as to be able to defend the facts. As an abused and broken person who has also perpetrated this abuse onto others as a child and teenager due to the abuse I experienced, believe what you hear. It must be so easy having grown up in a model family so to speak. But, when you have grown up with nothing but abuse and disfunction, it takes years and years and years of Christian teaching to get any normal semblance of being whole again. I cannot thank you Jesus Christ and my heavenly Father enough for seeing what good there was left in me and redeeming me for I was as good as dead and wicked to the core. This damage still manifests itself today friends in having impure and wicked thoughts which thankfully do not trouble me nor impact anyone else. I really hope that this helps Christians who have grown up in normal homes understand how and why our loving father had no choice destroying these people and their children. At least the children would have been saved and are now living in heaven until we receive our new earth and live forever with the Lord of lords and kind of all king's, come Lord Jesus come. Amen. And thank you having mercy on a sinner like me xxx
@Gabriel76
Reading your comment reminded me of Psalm 111: _The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise_
So sad we really do still get people defending genocide, making all sorts of excuses, but no explanations. Sadly history has had too many apologists, not enough humanists.
Killing giants is not a genocide it's defense of humanity. The Canaanites were a part of the nephilim descendants which were killing humans and teaching humans to war and worship demons. It wasn't a genocide.
@@valeriehinkle8995 So magic giants then? You think genocide is ok as long as it's against a group you dont like?
@@Ozzyman200 the nephilim weren't "a group" of people with different ethnicity or language. They were nephilim.. not even fully human. They were trying to corrupt the human species. It wasn't "genocide" of humans.
@@valeriehinkle8995 Well, you believe in magic giants, so you were easily convinced. So genocide is fine, as long as you can be convinced they're very different from you. This is why apologists fail on morality.
@@Ozzyman200 with that response you prove you know nothing about biblical history, have no experience with in depth scripture study, and are clueless about world history. Giants were real. Their skeletons have been found, their artifacts have been found and there are tons of oral traditions passed down for generations among American native tribes, and there are written documents like letters, testimonies from explorers and old maps that attest to the existence of giants. Why do you think the region of Patagonia is called Patagonia? The word means giant feet. Stop labeling others fanatics or racists just because you don't know history. Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean you can wrongfully accuse me of something that you have no idea what you're talking about. Do some research bud.
Thank you so much for this! It brought so much clarity
Before I became a true Christian I heard a statement that stunned me. The individual said that God was the greatest murder that ever existed. He mention the killing of the Canaanites especially the children and babies., I almost agreed with him but I didn't have much bible knowledge., With God's grace a few years later I became a repentant born again Christian and was fortunate enough to attend a verse by verse teaching bible church. Besides the regular Sunday teachings we also had bible studies on Wednesday and Friday. In one of these studies we were in this section where the Canaanites were killed. The pastor pretty much explained, as you two did, and I came away with a better understanding of God's mercy and justice. To God be the glory.
This woman. One of the best shows on utube as good at the long form interview as Dr Sean McDowell, Megyn Kelly, or anybody. Great guests. I learn so much here. So encouraging. God bless her, what a gift to find this show.
Thank you, this cleared up so much for me about the reason God would call for the deaths of children. I have friends who have either adopted or fostered and the children wanted their biological parents just as you said.
What a sick notion, that this can somehow justify mass slaughter of children (they didn’t even adress infants)
This was helpful, I really appreciate that you're not shying away from these hard questions. I'm still struggling with this but I can see clearer now.
Wow I did not know the depth of this about the Canaanites. THANK you for this video. This helps to understand so much. My daughter and I hear so many questions and comments about the Bible. I have started listening 🎧 to Frank Turek who also has answers to so many questions. THANK you both.
Thank you for this! The pastor at the church I currently attend said that God was using
Hyperbolic War Rhetoric and didn’t mean that ALL canaanites needed to be killed. This didn’t sit well with me, as the tone was similar to… “Did God really say…?” This helped to clarify!
The comment about it not always being morally wrong to kill the innocent seems hard to digest. Especially as I’ve just finished Scott Klusendorf’s book The Case for Life, which bases it’s argument against abortion as it being morally wrong to take the life of an innocent human being. I’m curious to know how CJ would reconcile these two topics that stand on similar ground. Thanks!
Alissa, thanks for the interview. I'm a conservative Christian, and I think your conversation partner made good points. However, I think the biggest discomfort I have with these texts is NOT that infants and children were killed, but that the ISRAELITES THEMSELVES had to do the killing. it's just very difficult for me to imagine being an Israelite soldier in that position. This is why I have no difficulty with the Flood (done by God), but more unease with this passage. Not that it's causing any fundamental slide away from the faith for me, since I've struggled with this for decades. But if you perhaps have time to speak to this, that'd be great!
How do you feel if you are going to fulfill a very clear commandment from God?
@@etiennebisset5642 Let me affirm for the record that God has every right to administer justice by the hands of the Israelites. I'm just being honest and saying that I'm glad I've never been asked to do that myself.
Al, everyone who is employed owes their employment to the employer, and must perform according to the rules of that employer, not their own rules otherwise they will be fired from that organization; and that is the right of every employer.
Do you remember when God used Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians to chastise Israel? Do you remember when God used the Assyrians to chastise Israel? Everyone created by God, and that does include everyone, owes their very existence to God and He has the absolute right to make sure that they live according to His rules.
As far as the children involved are concerned two things should impact our understanding here.
The first is the difficulty Moses and the Israelites had leaving Egypt with a mixed multitude (people including themselves in the exodus for totally opposite reasons because they had totally opposite worldviews).
The second is the widely held mindset held here in the USA that, even despite the evidence, there is only a blob of tissue in the womb not a baby. So, how are we not like the Canaanites?
@@rocketscientisttoo I don't disagree with anything you're saying. Just saying that I'm glad I haven't been asked to carry out that duty. Aren't you?
The fact so many 'pastors' do not teach why God sent His people to judge Canaan is an indictment of those 'pastors'. The fact is, they don't know. They either haven't read the scriptures dealing with it or they haven't understood them. The same problem so many of them have with Genesis first eleven chapters relating to Creation etc..
What an edifying conversation and fantastic perspective on so many angles! Know what else is fantastic? That we can KNOW where we go when we die...
Are you going to heaven?
Most people would say that they’ve been good enough to get into heaven. Would you pass the test? Let’s take a quick look!
1. How many lies have you told in your whole life?
2. Have you ever stolen anything no matter how little the value?
3. Have you ever use the Lords name in vain (like OMG)?
These are three of the 10 Commandments and if you answered yes to these questions that would make YOU like the rest of US. Judged by God’s standards, would you be innocent or guilty? Heaven or hell? The 10 Commandments are God’s moral law and we’ve all broken them. The Bible says the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) which means we have all earned death (hell). But because of God’s love he has provided a way to heaven (1 Timothy 2:4). He sent his son Jesus Christ to pay the price for us. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins (1 John 2:2) and rose bodily from the grave three days later to give us life. Jesus took the punishment we deserve on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). If we believe and put our trust in Him we too can have eternal life in heaven (Acts 16:31). Repent (which means turn from your sins and not live the life of a hypocrite) and trust Jesus today!
Excellent!!! I look forward to checking out more of Clay’s teachings. God bless🕊️🙏🕊️
When I was very young, between 3-7 my family read the Bible and talked to me about the Bible and stories from it. My first real and only church experience was at 7. My grandparents took me to Catholic church. During this service when the "father" began reading from the book of Revelation my eyes literally closed. The More I tried to force my eyes open to read revelation I got a worse and worse headache. After this I went home and prayed. God told me to read the entire book before I read Revelation. So I began.
Over the next 17 years I read and studied the Bible in its entirety, but eventually focused on the new testament, specifically Matthew Mark Luke and John.....during this time between 7 and 24 years old many times I tried to read revelation, even just a few sentences. And every time I tried to read it my eyes would physically close and I would get a headache.
However, I did read the first few verses of revelation MANY times over that period as I started the book of Revelation a thousand times, but I couldn't get past the first 4 or 5 verses when I tried.
Sometime in the summer of 2000, when I was 24, I began trying to read the book of revelation and this time God let me. No more headaches or eyes closing.
It was then very shortly into reading it something stuck out,
But I didn't know exactly what,
It was a feeling in my gut,
so I asked God what am I missing..
He said "Listen closer."
After reading the beginnning of revelation numerous times I finally realized I recognized a phrase,
Rev...1:3.
"for the time is near".
Until this point I even though I had read it numerous times before, I was so focused on reading more before my eyes would close and a headache would start I didn't hear it closely until this point.
I immediately began searching where else I heard that phrase. Soon I found it;
In Luke chapter 21, verses 7-8:
This is where Jesus Christ specifically tells us to not follow the many who come in his name claiming 'I am He' and "the time is near"-
Jesus says do not follow those who use that exact phrase.
I eventually googled the phrase and found that the author of revelation uses that phrase twice.
I asked God if what He was showing me is proof that he warned US about Revelation and that it is a false prophecy- He said "what does My Word The Bible say?"
Listen, the reason how I know this doesnt matter because it doesn't change what Jesus says;
Jesus says do not follow the many who come in His name claiming 'the time is near' - the author of Revelation then uses that EXACT phrase TWICE, once in the first chapter and again in the last chapter: effectively sealing the entire prophecy called Revelation with a phrase JESUS CHRIST tells us not to follow anyone who uses it.
Since 2000 I have been quietly talking to people and showing them this. Whomever will listen- which hasn't been many. In August of this past year(2020) I asked God what else am I supposed to do. He said make a video and tell everyone.
So, I did.
ua-cam.com/video/SN5GjLnW2SY/v-deo.html
If you have questions, ask away.
your brother,
Adam
A
Hello my friend the verse says "I am He AND the time is near". So people claiming to be God and predicting the apocalypse. As an ex New Ager I can tell you that in my old community people regularly said I Am Christ consciousness etc and they said the time is near. They called it the great awakening. The Apostle John never claimed to be God my friend. I think if you were willing to look at the Greek the words are most likely different but they're same in English because our language is way more simple than Greek. John is not the anti-Christ. I also saw what you said about how you couldn't read revelation with out getting a headache and getting drowsy. The sounds like demonic oppression to me and I actually felt a bit drowsy and spaced out watching your video which is a big red flag and leads me to think that there is a demonic spirit behind your video. Please do some prayer and fasting and pray for deliverance.
Thank you for the video! Perfect timing, I was just reading This in the Bible last week and was asking God for clarity on it and was pleasantly surprised right now by the video and to make things better Clay Jones is the one being interviewed. I really love his work!
Just reflect for a few seconds... if you happened to be born as a Canaanite, yes you saw some bad people, but you also knew good neigbours and family, you got some children and worked for them to get food, and tried to teach them something, and then God decided that he will send a group of people to totally destroy everything, and kill everyone, including your children. Can you explain to me what CLARITY and PLEASANT SURPRISE you have found in that? As for me it is clear that it is quite evil. If I acted as God was described to do, would you say my actions were good?
@@PjotrII watch the whole video he deals with this objection
@@nathanaelh4750 One thing is if deals with the issue, another thing if the arguments are good enough to be taken seriously, or if they are like "hey we need to find a spin how to get out of this". There are many unsolved problems with the claims made. If I was in court and had those two as my lawyers, I would be afraid I am loosing the case. As an example the reference to flight 93 is very weak, as flight 93 was destined for a suicide mission = all people onboard would be killed ANYWAY, so taking down that plane was 1) not for the purpose to kill them all 2) the pilots lives could save more lives on the ground. When God orders to kill (against his own commandment ?????) it is not with the purpose to save lives, it is a brutal genocide, where the victims of rape (they tried to describe) were also chosen to die, as if they were the perpetrators.
@@nathanaelh4750 I asked you a question and you ran for the hills for some reason. Nathanael, why was it ok to slaughter the innocent babies and young children?
@@nathanaelh4750 let me ask you a hypothetical: is there ANYTHING the Bible could say that would make you think critically? In the video, the apologists suggest that if a reader doesn't understand something in the text it is ALWAYS the readers problem (epitome of cult thinking I might add). What if the Bible said explicitly "raping children is holy" and then gave instructions on how to do it.? Would that passage just be something to which you said "I don't understand yet but that is my problem and I'm sure God had a good reason."? Or would that cause you to question whether or not the text was actually from a god. This is an important question to consider. IS THERE ANYTHING THE BIBLE COULD SAY THAT WOULD MAKE YOU RECONSIDER ITS DIVINITY?
Hey Alisa,
I want to thank you for your book. I’ve been reading through it these past couple months, and it has been such a blessing. I encountered Progressive Christianity last year while working, and it challenged my faith like never before. Your book has really helped me in my Christian walk, and I thank you for the hard work you put into it. May our Lord Jesus bless you and your family in these coming years.
Yes it's a good book. I just read it this week and thought it was really good.
Brilliant, thank you Clay and Alisa, it brings such clarity in a very simple way to understand :) God bless u as u continue to point people to Jesus
Take the humble approach.❤️God put Job in his place for thinking he knew better. Thank you Alisa and Clay!
Listening to this breaks my heart...because I shared it with my son and he says he disagrees with your premise and its acceptance of its necessity, making it a list of ancient practices we would either find abhorrent or fine, depending on where we are on the earth....he is so lost. Please pray for him. Culture and Intellect are his gods.
I think he is using his mind. What is wrong with questioning or trying to find out why things are troublesome. It is a normal process of having a mind that allows you perceive, analyse and question. If I had a son like that I would encourage him to read, listen, research those things he questions and let truth lead him where it may. Good luck.
@J. Lo some people say that that place was hyperbole
Laurel Webster, I will pray for your son. My son would probably say the same thing and I haven't had a chance to share this with him. He was raised in a loving, Christian home, Sunday School and Youth Group but his present World view does not show it. 🥺😰 it is definitely heartbreaking! 💔
Mildred Martinez, I myself love to study, dig, research and learn and I question stuff all the time, from news, to politics, to my pastor's sermons, to internet information. I would strongly encourage someone to do that. Sadly, my own son and many of his generation do not want to study, research or engage in friendly, intellectual discusson. They seem to want to argue or press their view, without hearing anyone that disagrees with them. I would love to sit down with my own dear son and be able to have a meaningful conversation and bounce ideas off each other. I keep hoping and praying for that anyway. And with this particular information, I feel hopeful that maybe we finally can. 🙌🙏
Perhaps your son is naive to how grave sin really is. Coming from a broken home and having experienced many upsetting things in my upbringing, I often think some children who are sheltered (with the best intentions of their parents) have a poor understanding of how devoid of any good and depraved some people can be, so they find God’s judgement and laws to be ‘too harsh’, not realising what those laws and judgements truly restrain. But, it may just be he has to go through a time of having his eyes opened to these things, before he can return to you and appreciate your position.
Thank you! Yes! I love how completely you explained all this. I'm just beginning to read your book on Evil. I particularly appreciate that you covered that the children likely went to heaven. When we look at the age God separated the children of Isreal who lived to see the Promised Land and who died in the Wilderness, it gives us clues to age of accountability. In this light, God IS merciful in taking out the children of Canaan. This seems consistent with His character, too. He is good and He is just. His ways are higher than ours.
WOW, Clay Jones is awesome! Much appreciated!
So kuch to think about here! I happened to read this very passage this morning, then found this a few hours later. Really good info, and helped a lot to think through some difficult issues! Thank you!
Thank you so much for this biblical and truth filled explanation. I have wrestled myself as I read through scripture with why God took the lives of a whole nation and why He took the children. But this explains so much. Thank you 💕
This was a great podcast. Very insightful and informative. I have been deeply contemplating this podcast for a couple days and now have a legitimate concern. Particularly about the children. As I was thinking about how we've come to this conclusion that God ordered the killing of innocent children for the good of Israel's sake, and that in doing so God was merciful to them in ultimately saving them, how can I present this to someone without them turning around and saying to me, "Then why are you against abortion? Wouldn't this logic justify abortion?"
Any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
Christian, I'm thinking through your concern in context of the information shared in this video and I have a couple clarifying questions...
1. Who would Israel be (God ordered the killing of children for Israel's sake) with regard to the abortion situation?
2. Do you think it makes a difference whether it is God ordering the killing vs a man or woman who doesn't want it? If so, what is the difference?
3. With the abortion scenario, if God isn't the one ordering it, then who is the one being merciful to the children being killed?
These are not scarcastic questions, I'd really like to know your thoughts. Blessings to you!
@@s21854 great questions! They help me as I was also thinking about abortion. Blessings!
Years ago I struggled with these questions; why does the Lord destroy a nation or a people? Why would the Lord kill Uzza, when all he did was try to keep the ark of the covenant from falling. The book of Judges is excellent for revealing the cycles of disobedience and obedience. We're no different and must be warned repeatedly.
Romans 11:22 KJV - Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Isaiah 63:10 ESV - But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them.
Romans 15:4 ESV - For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
Can you have a guest on to discuss the concept of slavery as it is outlined in the OT? The differences between Hebrew and non slaves, etc. This is something a lot of us struggle with and I know unbelievers struggle with it too.
Look for Paul Copan. His book is “Is God a Moral Monster?” Four chapters on slavery/servitude.
Yes Jesus sanctioned the taking of slaves throughout the OT.
@@Sldghmmr338 No. the Penalty in the OT for stealing people (kidnapping) is DEATH.
I don´t struggle with the slave issue... it is simply wrong!
@J. Lo Comparing that the the rest of The Law, I disagree.
Very informative. Great episode. Thanks for all the both of you do.
This was really good. I love that he preached the Gospel towards the end. I always listen to the Gospel presentation as if it was my first time. Such a great reminder.
Thank you for yet another great interview and content. Interesting, informative, intelligent and inspiring. 🤩🙏🏻📖🕊️
Christians of UA-cam who don’t think this video was sick:
Is there ANYTHING the Bible could say that would make you question it’s divinity? Anything at all?
The main reason that I'm not bothered by the Canaanite Conquest in the Bible is that it never actually happened.
😆🤣😂😅😂🤣😆
Sometimes evil gets so bad it has to be stopped. Some people blame God for not doing enough to stop evil then when He does they get angry about that.
This guy is speaking the truth, even though it's a very hard to hear. I was adopted at birth, met my mother at age 16 and my father at age 27--I found out that we have SO much in common, it's crazy. I was always drawn to think about my biological family before I knew them. On the other hand, my adoptive parents took in three girls ages 5, 3, and 1, whose mother committed suicide--all 3 girls had different fathers who had left the mother, and there was substance abuse, sexual abuse, and also neglect. My mom who raised me always wanted a lot of children and just assumed that she'd raise these girls in the church and give them plenty of love and support and that would break the cycle of generational sin. Unfortunately, as adults, all three girls have been in and out of jail multiple times, involved in substance abuse and sexual promiscuity, etc. It's like they've been predisposed to follow in the sin of their past---and because their past is somewhat mysterious, it's like they yearn for it, even if they don't want to.
(added for clarity)
Yes, I agree that Jesus does not view people as completely hopeless, and nor does Jesus justify abortion, or genocide. I'm sorry that my story is so offensive. I maintain a relationship with my sisters, pray for them, and treat them with respect, and not as hopeless individuals who were offered the short hand of the stick.
@@melvinsorensen4587 The effects of sin continues throughout generations, but the life of Jesus shows even more how he came for those who've been hurt by the effects of sin. "I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for ALL people- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who WANTS ALL PEOPLE to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for ALL people. " 1 Timothy 2
@@melvinsorensen4587 No. I'm saying that one's personal sin is never personal, but effects others around you and generations after you.
@@melvinsorensen4587 So, is Jesus the cult leader that you are referring to? Because, we follow Jesus, not Clay Jones. Clay Jones doesn't even follow himself and doesn't have followers. He follows Jesus. Jesus shows everyone HIS way, it's a new way, a way of humility and love. He gives everyone the opportunity to choose life instead of death and welcomes everyone who acknowledges Him as Lord to live in this new way--this way without murder, but even further, without hate, and yes, without genocide. The old has gone and the new has come. Jesus opens his arms to those who've been born into sin, those whose parents have taught them to sin, those who've been victims all their life and even if they know better, they feel entrapped by sin...he welcomes them, makes them new, and adopts them into the family of the Kingdom of His life. This is the new covenant in his blood that Jesus himself talks about and refers back to prophecies from the Old Testament (which is also called the Old Covenant)
Jeremiah 31 ,“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”
That scripture is also referenced in Hebrews 8, and 10
Matthew 26:27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Luke 22:20 20 In the same way, after the supper he (Jesus) took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.
@@melvinsorensen4587 That's fair for you to not believe Jesus is real. So what do you believe? Yes, you've already said you're anti-cults. I'm gathering that you're really into psychology. What do you believe about spirituality, and about God?
@@songsgardensbyjenniferlynn3242 excellent question, metaphysical/spiritual/god are not provable/tangible/corporeal and is completely subjective, therefore is evidential only to the beholder...
Whereas, the observable universal objective truth principles and laws of knowledge, logic, and reason that transcends history, cultures, and cannot be denied or refuted.
Thus one can reasonably accept it as truth.
Really enjoyed this. Very informative and helpful
The Gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and again, Alisa did not include this. I love Alisa, but again, I respectfully ask her to include the Gospel in all her videos (she never forgets to ask people to become a patreon). :)
Thank You Lord. I was just reading this YESTERDAY, and was confused. I thought that was the promised land? I was struggling to move on from this passage. I looked up a few commentaries, but they didn't resolve my dis-ease with it. Thank you for helping me.
A most instructive discussion and thanks for sharing ✝️
For me also Capitol Punishment is saying in effect that we can't handle this person here so we give them to God who may perfect and redeem them on the other side in ways we cannot do here.
Hi Alisa ,
I just discovered your Apologetics 101 podcast and was really excited because I needed a good starting point . But, I can’t seem to find any other episodes aside from episode 30 on Spotify . Was this postponed or is there anywhere I can find these posts ? Thank you !
Such a helpful, practical discussion of a very difficult topic in Scripture. I truly hadn't considered many of the points you two made. Thank you!
Both Paul and Jude reference 1 Enoch in their respective epistles and held the book in very high esteem. I strongly recommend reading it to get a fuller view of the origin story of the giant clans (Nephilim) that arose due to the transgressions of the Watchers (angels) in Genesis 6. When you understand just how irredeemably evil these beings were, it is completely understandable why God would tell Joshua to devout them to destruction (annihilate them all).
Another blast of truth! The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fool despise wisdom and instruction !
If people read the Bible in its ANE context (the way it’s supposed to be read), understanding the Conquest narrative is not difficult. The issue is much of the western Church has opted to divorce the supernatural components of the Bible (Genesis 6:1-4 for instance) to take a views more palpable to our modern minds (Augustine’s Sethite view of the same passage). We lose so much when we divorce the Bible from its intended context.
It's difficult today because most people's understanding of scientific principles have increased since the Biblical story was written.
Dr Michael Heiser great on this.
So very well handled! I gained so many new insights from Clay. Alisha is on spot. Many are the slain of progressive Christianity!
There's something in the distorted heart of humanity that desires to usurp God's sovereign authority over what is truly just. We say that we want justice but really haven't considered the implications for our own lives. I would much prefer God's mercy in the Gospel rather than a Christ-less justice.
Clay Jones has monumental task of explaining intent for God's plan Judgement, redemption and salvation.
At what point do the transgressions of the individual corrupt the corporate body entirely. Incest, beastiality, human sacrifice, demon worship and the question becomes why did it go on so long. A loving God could be no longer loving and judged worthy to ignore absolute moral depravity.
Strong arguments here thanks and gratitude in Jesus's name no one else was found WORTHY....👆🤍👰♂️
@J. Lo they were abused and would become the abusers of other children- this is sin- this is the heart of man- ‘the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?’- God does-He gave them centuries to change (repent)- they were more interested in idol worship and depravity--God saved future generations of children being abused and other nations around Canaan who would want to copy their customs-and don’t forget it was Satan behind these ugly abuses becoz he hates mankind
This brought tears to my eyes. So much truth in this discussion.
GOD REVEALED something to me from this great conversation. GOD BLESS you both. It all made so much sense to a trye BORN AGAIN believer. 🙏📖
This was a super helpful video in general! One part confused me and I’m hoping for clarity.
Is Clay Jones against adoption? I know this topic isn’t the point of the video, but how he discusses modern day adoption and a accompanying article of his, makes it seem like modern day adoption is bad in some way. Can someone clarify if you know what part of the video I’m referring to?
//"When I run into a passage of scripture that troubles me, I ask 'What's wrong with me that I am troubled by what the Lord is saying?'"//
Whoah. You ought to be troubled. How many times in history have people encouraged other people to do bad things, based on the idea:-
a. "God spoke to me" or
b. "This is the will of the Lord"?
Remember how Ravi managed to kid some of those he abused into keeping quiet?
Accepting an idea because "God said" is how cult leaders often manage to manipulate people. To go against what the leader says is to go against God. It often happens today. It's often happened in history. And how many believers insist that the OT is a genuine history book?
The problem with this argument is that we are not living in the same time period where the purpose of this wipe out was to establish God’s standard of right from wrong against what the people of this land had openly celebrated for over 400 years (beastiality, burning their own infants and children to death on red hot metal idols on a whim, cannibalism, murderous treacherous selfishness, etc.). We’re also talking about a time when God spoke directly to a mass of people and His presence dwelled among them in clearly visible, literal, public ways (even showing Himself to those who did not follow Him). When a pillar of fire or smoke starts speaking publicly about the cleansing of a people to modern day terrorists, we can have a discussion about the validity of of their claims. But that’s not what is happening today. With the establishment of God’s purpose for taking the land, it then lead a clear path for God’s promises of the coming Messiah. And that was the point of it all. Unfortunately, man likes to mess things up and as God promised, since the Israelites began to fall into the same horrific practices of the Canaanites, God allowed the same fate to happen to them by their very adversaries. He is consistent in His standards and judgement. To use what happens in modern times (people claiming God told them to perform some atrocity to “innocent people”) as a reason for the Canaanite conquest being in any way wrong is to not understand the context and gravity of Canaan’s depravity. Lastly, there isn’t any need for extra-biblical revelation to do such things; the Savior has already come. God’s standards have already been firmly established. It just wouldn’t make sense.
Just a quick note on your Ravi point: He targeted people who were down on their luck and too spiritually immaturely to call him out on his bs. It was spiritual abuse in every sense of the phrase, but he had ZERO biblical God-given precedent for any of his actions. Nothing he did was condoned by God and he knew it, which is why he did it all in secret.
1). We’re not living in a time when God speaks directly to our nation like in OT.
2) God speaks to us today through Christ... whose spirit is of meekness and humbleness.
3) Anyone CLAIMING to have the spirit of Christ (a believer) should have nothing but a heart for saving people with the Word of the Gospel.
4) Understand that The Bible as a single coherent message does have an actual correct interpretation which is ultimately the most perfect message of hope that any human being is capable of imaging. To single out specific events from the OT for the purpose of equivocation is simply intellectual dishonestly.
@@melindamercier6811 I gave you thumbs up on a different comment, but I have some questions here. You claim (and maybe a part of this is true) that Canaanites killed their children etc... but the problem is, that is what the Israelites do now... and if they have done it for 400 years... should God wipe them out, because of their sins? The bible says WE HAVE ALL SINNED. yes, certainly some people have done more harm than others, but in every group of people there are DIFFERENT human beings... to claim that Canaanites were ALL EVIL, even the 6 month old infant would be an untrue claim.
Now to make things worse, I quote from Joshua 11:20 " For it was the Lord himself who hardened their hearts to wage war against Israel, so that he might destroy them totally, exterminating them without mercy, as the Lord had commanded Moses." Note, the LORD HIMSELF hardened their hearts... they did not choose it themselves... God did it, and then used it as an excuse to kill them ALL - WITHOUT MERCY.
Now, if some Christian is fine with that, I wonder if they know Jesus at all.
Yes, we should take into account the time and society people were living in, but there is no excuse for a genocide, it is not good today, nor was it 3000 years ago. Claiming it was OK, is to demolish any argument for why we should follow Christ.
@@PjotrII
On Joshua 11:20, "the wages of sin is death" -with- where any given person's redemptive/tribulation period is a privilege/mercy based on grace, not a guaranteed gift and it can be revoked at any moment.
It is an example of a visceral logical conclusion of the Wedding Banquet Parable.
Thank you! I just finished Joshua and this is so timely and so wisely answered. Bless you both for being bold and gracious Truth-tellers.
I think assuming every word of a specific translation of the Bible is inerrant is a dangerous game, the same as those who think the Bible is wide open to any interpretation. Both spectrums are incorrect
Exactly, the focus needs to be on the original languages and original context of scripture. When read in its proper context, the conquest narrative is a non issue. When Jesus returns He will be Himself gloriously devoting many more to destruction. And God will be justified then as when He commanded Joshua.
Literally our world has ALMOST embraced Canannite lifestyle by questioning why God would bring judgment on them for sins "that aren't really that bad, I believe everyone is redeemable. God is horrible and isn't as good as everyone says He is."
Their sin was so extreme that God considered it a MERCY to allow the destruction of these people and children. Especially the children who would go directly to God instead of suffering on earth such extreme perversion. It was all sinful, it was a detriment to the Canaanites to behave like this. Think , how many parents have said " I rather see my child dead than fall into this terrible situation (be a shooter, a rapist, a drug addict, a hater of people, become hopelessly addicted, drunk, whatever. Many parents if honest will admit to saying this.
Can you do a video in response to Dan Barker’s and Richard Dawkins’ attacks on the character of God in their books?
Timely video. This is the subject we are discussing in my college course right now. God is good!
Amen
God is good, but is the 3000 year old text depicting his actions good? Or is it a human interpretation?
What an amazing video! Thank you!
Thank you! That was so interesting and foundational.
This is a good discussion and is very relevant. Clay definitely needs a better microphone though.
One section in the Bible is always miss understood heaven and hell is only temporary that is where our spirits go after we die but when the Lord comes all mankind will be resurrected this is talked about in first Corinthians chapter 15 the whole chapter talked about this read it for yourself and pray
yep !.true !
Let the tender mercies come unto mr, that I may live: for the law is my delight
I always wonder about this yet figured God had a good reason for it. Now i have a complete understanding🙏
Which rationalization was it that made you feel slaughtering innocent children was ok? I’m genuinely very curious.
I don't get if. If you don't actually think these justifications can withstand scrutiny (which you don't, otherwise you would have eagerly listed one), why are you still ok with it? That's what is baffling to me. I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm relieved you understand that these rationalizations don't make sense, but still... were you just wanting an explanation soo soo bad that you were willing to accept anything? Imagine your country announced that it was bombing its enemy and, the children were going to be parentless so, they were going to send in troops to each house to stab the kids and babies in the heart. Sound just fine with you?
@@amandamcgovern5744 This is to me the really scary part - that Christians who follow Jesus, the truth, who said we should not HIT BACK, we should LOVE and care for others, forgive, not 7 but 77*7* times, can, because of ONE untrue claim, come to the conclusion that God wanted a genocide, defend it and seek untrue twisted explanations to defend it. If a Christian cannot see that there is something really dizzy behind these excuses, then I wonder if that person walks in the truth and light, or if they are like a blind person who cannot lead another blind. What else could they be mislead about?
@@PjotrII after watching this video I immediately went to the comment section expecting to see push back from Christians. How naive. What I saw instead made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. Blind acceptance. Incredible. Don’t they understand that the excuses in this video can and have been used to justify every genocide in history? Terrifying.
@@amandamcgovern5744 I expected mostly the comments we can read... " oohh , now I understand it"... "oooh, now it is ok"... the reason is that there is more fundamentalism in the US, than what we have in my country. I also became really happy to see your text, because it shows someone is thinking, and dear to speak truth, and question claims. Which again are not things that are highly regarded in fundamentalist circles. As I said, it scares me (not that we have different opinions inside Christianity) but that ONE FALSE CLAIM can lead otherwise honest people totally astray, and be blinded, even defend what is evil. And as you say, ANY genocide could be justified by saying - well they sinned. A nuclear attack on North Korea or Iran or anybody, Mexico (who will not pay for the wall) could be justified by "well they sinned" - and therefore this genocide is OK. It is VERY similar to the other big threath in the US, Qanon believers. Anything Q says is true, and if you would show proof of the opposite "you are wrong and Q is right"? Why - they have decided it is so. You can´t use reason and argue with that type of thinking. Christians should be educated, and they should embrace science, then we can debate and discuss different views in a serious environment. Everything good to you Amanda! At least I am confident that you won´t start the next genocide in the name of God.
There is a basis to this topic which is very evident in most, if not all, 1st world countries. It is the same issue that was brought up in the Book of Job, chapter 38, pride and ego. Who created everything, including us? Who has the right then, the absolute right, to govern that which was created? The Creator or us?
For example, everyone who is employed owes their employment to the employer, and must perform according to the rules of that employer, not their own rules otherwise they will be fired from that organization; and that is the right of every employer.
Everyone created by God, and that does include everyone, owes their very existence to God and He has the absolute right to make sure that they live according to His rules or they can be fired.
His timing for any correction or judgment, which is His choice, is His timing according to His purposes. His methods are His methods according to His purposes and according to His perfectly just justice. I defer to the Book of Job, chapter 38.
Amazing! Thank you both.... I learned so much.
Very interesting about the adopted children. Allie Beth Stuckey talked a little about this on an episode of Relatable, though not in as much detail.
Thank you so much for this! This just makes so much sense.
It does?
There was a important thing missing from the Canaanites that we all have today because of Jesus's sacrifice for us...The Holy Spirit. Each one of us was given that gift with the free will to listen to it or ignore it at our own peril. The Canaanites fully reject God and His teachings and as pointed out gave them hundreds of years before destroying them.
Did they do Drag Queen read alouds? I’m beginning to understand better and better
Including the Aprocrypha (the contested books which are included in the Roman Catholic Bible but disregarded from the Hebrew version), the total number of people that were killed by God in the Bible for which specific numbers are given is approximately 2,821,364. By comparison, Satan's kill count is 10 (The 7 sons & 3 daughters of Job), & even these he shares with God, since God allowed him to do it in what appears to be a part of a bet. Job 1:1-19 seems to indicate that both Satan & God share the blame (or the credit) for these killings.
Justification for these killings includes disobedience, burning of incense, complaining, homosexuality etc. God has many methods of killing; animal attacks, plagues, famines, falling walls, war, fire etc.
This, of course, greatly underestimates God's total death toll, since it only includes those killings for which specific numbers are given. No numbers are provided to include the victims of Noah's flood, Sodom & Gomorrah, or the many plagues, famines, fiery serpents, etc.
If we assign numbers by estimation to the un-numbered killings by God in the Bible, the approximate number is around 25-28 million people killed by God & only 60 by Satan.
These are hard truths to accept but i believe scripture bears out their accuracy. I have often wondered if abortion hasn't done more to fill heaven than the churches. That is a sad indictment on our generation but a beautiful demonstration of the heart of mercy in our God.
Thank you for a great topic
Thank you so very much 💛
This was truly insightful. At the same time, I think this is another example of something that was intended to inform the future. Which is why we should be grateful.
Hey SWZ, you recommended this video to me
2 months ago... Watching now. God bless.
@@gi169 Np. God bless you, too!
@@JiraiyaSama86
You are right, awesome video so far... Thanks for the recommendation. 👍👍👍
We do have a natural belief that human nature (which Christ assumed btw) is naturally good. As GOD points out the "depravity" of the Amorites was NOT "total" and as such GOD waits patiently. All death is not penal as many suffer consequences from their parents behaviors. The "loss of innocence" arouses passions that are self and others destructive. We who have escaped Augustinian protestantism and are fleeing to ancient orthodoxy are very blessed no longer believing in square circles. Nonetheless this discussion by evangelical dualist has helped me some. May GOD help you all escape the confusion that death in general is penal and needs a substitute wiping boy to take the punishment. The wages of sin is death for yourself and your children as proven by our present experience. But praise be to GOD that you realize Jesus saves infants post mortem.
As the aggressor, even the self-defense argument doesn't hold. Regardless of the punishment component, and God's longterm plan of redemption, is God not commanding sin? It's difficult to square thou shalt not kill with the subsequent command to kill.
Keep in mind that God does not command never to kill (as you just point out- He demands righteous killing more than once) but rather not to murder, correctly translated. This is an interesting distinction worth researching.
When God kills somebody or commands one of his followers to execute one of His creation, He is doing so in perfectly righteous judgement. A massive difference to one human murdering another (deliberately unjustly killing another human like Cain did to Abel)?
@@whodeytko .. and if I said God commanded me to kill you? Would you accept that?
@@adamhustler3639 It doesn't matter if would accept it or not. If I did something so horrible that God found me worthy of immediate death, and He pronounced judgement on me, there would be nothing I could do about it. Whether you carried out the sentence or something/someone else did. None of the people/spiritual beings in scripture who were judged/killed by God could do anything to stop their fate once their sentence was pronounced, so any personal opinion/distaste on the matter is meaningless.
You could potentially kill me and say that God told you to, but if you are lying about that, you would have to answer directly to Him upon your own death. When you are claiming to speak for or God or allegedly carrying out one of His decrees, you better be absolutely certain that you heard those things from Him. He doesn't take too kindly to people taking His name in vain.
@@whodeytko .. good luck on your future ability to discern from whom such commands may come.
It’s getting rid of the Nephilim. Im surprised many Christians don’t know this. I wish Alissa would have dr Michael Heiser as a guest
And Douglas Hamp !
Many are beginning to wake up and have their spiritual eyes opened
I'm taking the Unseen Realm class that Dr. Heiser has online. The first 15 week class was awesome and covers the first half of the book. I'm in the second 15 week session now. We just went through the Israelite conquest of Canaan. Definitely a problem with the Nephilim that needed to end.
lol !
Yep. Amazing most modern day professors and UA-cam hosts missed this. It’s nit hard to understand.