In this episode of the Theology and Ethics and Podcast, Dr. Michael Thighpen, OT scholar at Phoenix Seminary, discusses the second commandment, the biblical understanding of idolatry and imagery, and implications for Christians today.

Dr. J. Michael Thigpen earned a BA in Religious Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MDiv from Columbia Biblical Seminary, and an MPhil and PhD in Judaic, Hebraic, and Cognate Studies from Hebrew Union College. Michael’s special areas of interest include Old Testament Theology, Babylonian and Persian period biblical books and history (Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezra–Nehemiah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi), Book of the Twelve (Minor Prophets), prophetic literature (biblical and ANE), Genesis, Kings, God’s motives, repentance and forgiveness, the OT and classical theism, and the theology of work and economics. His passion is to help the church connect more deeply to the Old Testament by understanding its literary nature and historical background. He is currently Professor of Old Testament at Phoenix Seminary, having previously served as Provost and Executive Vice President at the seminary. In addition to his work at Phoenix, he serves as lecturer in Old Testament at Munster Bible College in Cork, Ireland.

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Chapters:

00:00:00-Intro

00:04:21-Images & Idolatry in the Old Testament

00:10:48-Henotheism & the Old Testament

00:18:21-Exodus, the Golden Calf, and Breaking Commandments

00:22:10-Representations of God

00:28:58-The Transactional “Gods”

00:34:12-The Brass Serpent as an Image

00:37:18-Poetic imagery of God in the Old Testament

00:39:53-Using Imagery for Gospel Proclamation