In this conversation, Rev. Dr. Helen Painter joins Dr. Lynn Cohick to discuss her book, Blessed Are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Human Violence, and the topics of peacemaking, violence, and the Bible. She shares her inspiration for writing the book and her hopes for readers as well as explores the definition of violence and its presence in human cultures. Dr. Painter delves into the significance of Genesis 1 and 2 in understanding violence and the goodness of God, particularly as it relates to women. She also touches on the role of shame in the cycle of violence and discusses the topics of justice and peace from a biblical perspective. She then explores Jesus's views on violence, the significance of his resurrection, and the importance of understanding his sufferings. Dr. Paynter then delves into the balance between justice, peace, and purity, and the challenges of living in a world of structural violence while emphasizing the need to reorder our desires and cultivate virtues such as contentment, generosity, and love for our neighbors.

Key Takeaways: 

• The Bible is a complex text that does not speak with a single voice on the matter of violence.
• Violence is not an exception but a part of human culture, and it can be produced on a large scale when certain factors like authorization, routinization, and dehumanization are present.
• Genesis 1 and 2 present a vision of creation as an act of hospitality and emphasize the equality and dignity of men and women as image bearers of God.
• Shame plays a significant role in the cycle of violence, and understanding its impact is crucial in addressing violence against women.
• Jesus's resurrection appearances demonstrate his nonviolent nature and his focus on teaching and building a kingdom of peace, justice, and love. 
• Suffering should not be valorized for its own sake, but rather understood in the context of faithfulness to the name of Jesus.
• Justice, peace, and purity are virtues that must be balanced and tempered to work together effectively.
• Structural violence exists in systems and institutions, and individuals can become complicit in these systems through fear, self-interest, and ignorance. It is important to educate ourselves and challenge these systems. 

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 - Introduction and Book Inspiration
02:31 - The Purpose of the Book
03:28 - Exploring the Complexity of Scripture
05:54 - Overview of the Book
06:11 - Defining Violence 
07:47 - Violence as Part of Human Cultures
11:26 - Genesis 1 and 2: The Goodness of God and Violence Against Women
12:21 - The Importance of Shame in Violence
28:46 - Jesus's Views on Violence
31:27 - Understanding Jesus's Sufferings
33:21 - Suffering and the Name of Jesus
35:15 - Balancing Justice, Peace, and Purity
37:33 - The New Heavens and New Earth
38:02 - Reordering Desires
43:24 - Structural Violence 

Episode Resources:   

Blessed Are the Peacemakers: A Biblical Theology of Human Violence by Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter  

The Bible Doesn't Tell Me So: Why You Don't Have To Submit To Domestic Abuse And Coercive Control by Rev. Dr. Helen Paynter  

The Liberating Image: The Imago Dei in Genesis 1 by Dr. J. Richard Middleton  

Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters by Dr. Carmen Imes  

Violence: Reflections on a National Epidemic by Dr. James Gilligan  

The Human Condition by Dr. Hannah Arendt  

The Visual Museum Of Women In Christianity  

Episode Sponsor:  

The Alabaster Jar is brought to you by The Center for Women in Leadership, a newly formed 501©3 nonprofit organization whose purpose is to equip women in a context that is biblically rooted, theologically robust, and ethnically diverse to thrive as leaders in the academy and the Church. Follow them on Instagram @leadershipwithoutapology. Learn more about The Center for Women in Leadership at: https://www.leadershipwithoutapology.org/.