'​Handling Biblical Violence' 
​Symposium 2017

​This event took place on 14th October 2017 - if you were unable to attend the full symposium you can listen to the three main papers here:  They are presented as both YouTube videos (narrated PowerPoint presentations) and as audio MP3s for direct download.
  • Is the God of the OT nasty, brutish and capricious?  Dr David Instone-Brewer (relating the Bible accounts with parallel ancient history and archaeological realities)
1. Is the God of the Old Testament 'Nasty, Brutish and Capricious'?
Dr David Instone-Brewer  is a Senior Research Fellow at Tyndale House in Cambridge, interested in the historical background to the Bible. He is currently working mainly on resources for  www.STEPBible.org He has a wife and two daughters to keep him grounded, and enjoys low-brow movies. 
If you would prefer, the audio file is available to download below:
  • How has Islam dealt with violent scriptures? Rev Stephen Agilinko (with reference to the spectrum of understanding within Islam, and how this overlaps and / or differs from Christian interpretations)
2. How has Islam dealt with Violent Scripture?
Rev Stephen Agilinko is pastor of West Green Baptist Church in North London. He is married to Diana Apent and they have five children. He had served in one of the Churches of the Ghana Baptist Convention in his home country for nine years before he came to study for an M.A. in Religious Studies (specialising in Islam) at the University of Lancaster.
 
If you would prefer, the audio file is available to download below:
  •  Divine Violence and Salvation – Dr Martyn Smith (considering the subjectivity of theological reflection and the wide-ranging accounts of biblical divine violence and its ramifications for Christian faith and practice.
3. Divine Violence and Salvation
Dr Martyn Smith  followed an unconventional route to faith, converting in rather extraordinary circumstances. He is married with four children and teaches Philosophy, Ethics and Religious Studies at a secondary school/sixth-form centre in Rutland.
If you would prefer, the audio file is available to download below: