Human sacrifice, gang rape, dismemberment, leaders sleeping with prostitutes: what is going on in the book of Judges? Is the explanation simply human depravity - or is the real problem more nuanced and complex? In this episode we explore Israel's crisis of identity was at the root of her spiritual confusion.

The essence of God’s plan is to make a covenant with the descendants of Abraham. The primary purpose of this covenant is relational: God lives in love relationship with the people of Israel, and he gives them commands to follow in order to maintain that relationship.  But the commandments also speak to Israel’s mission or purpose in the world. As Israel obeys this law they experience the abundant life that God had promised to Abraham. They thrive and prosper. And this does not go unnoticed. All of the families of the earth see how Israel has right relationship with their God, how Israel has right relationships with one another, and how the people of Israel live in harmony with the creation. Through this example the nations of the earth will recognise that the God of Israel is the one and only true God. They then forsake their idols and YWWH. When they turn from their sin and rebellion, they then become partakers of the promise given to Abraham.

Think of the Old Testament as a connect the dots puzzle.  The problem that so many people face when reading the text is that they don’t know how the different people and events and writings all fit together.  What’s the relationship between Moses and

We begin with an brief exploration of the relationship between Theology – which is the study of God – and identity, which refers to the way we see ourselves both as individuals and communities. I then introduce the theme of the first series, which involves a narrative theological exploration of the Old Testament.