Interpreting the Conquest Traditions in the Old Testament
What are Christians to make of biblical passages that appear to command genocide? Against the backdrop of contemporary conflict, a biblical scholar explores how the Old Testament’s Conquest Traditions emerged, how they have been interpreted, and what they can still teach believers today
In his 2026 Palm Sunday Homily, Pope Leo addressed his outdoor congregation with the words, ‘Brothers and sisters, this is our God: Jesus, King of Peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war, but rejects them, saying: “Even though you make many prayers, I will not listen: your hands are full of blood” (Isa. 1.15)’.
Although the Pope mentioned no names, the homily could readily be assumed to refer to the war initiated by Israel and the USA against Iran.
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