Discover PEACE amidst Old Testament violence.

Many readers struggle with Old Testament passages that seem violent, troubling, or inconsistent with God’s character. This course offers a clear framework for approaching scripture’s most challenging passages with confidence and integrity.

Rather than ignoring or explaining away difficult passages, Prof. Carmen Imes helps students discern what biblical texts are actually claiming and how they fit within the Bible’s overarching story. You’ll learn to wrestle with scripture in order to find its usefulness for your relationship with God, even if concerns about these ancient texts persist. By learning to ask better questions, you’ll discover how even difficult passages can lead to deeper trust in God’s love, justice, and goodness.

In This Course You Will Be Invited To

•differentiate between biblical reports and endorsements of violence.

•evaluate how exaggeration is used in and applied to biblical narratives.

•identify the kinds of injustice that anger God.

• situate violent passages within their ancient cultural, literary, and theological contexts.

•explore how troubling passages might contribute to the Bible’s overarching story.

Course Outline

What does it look like to faithfully engage troubling scripture, rather than avoid it?

Understand the difference between descriptive and prescriptive passages of scripture.

Explore the ways in which exaggeration might influence how violent passages are read and interpreted.

Recognize the kinds of things that God's anger is most consistently directed at.

Examine the ancient literary, cultural, and theological context of the Old Testament.

Consider how even troubling texts might fit within the larger trajectory of the biblical story.

1.5 Hours of Video Content
Reflection & Practice Activities
$24.99

Meet Your Instructor

Carmen Imes

Associate Professor of Old Testament

Dr. Carmen Imes is Associate Professor of Old Testament at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology. She is passionate about helping students and other laypeople engage the Old Testament and discover its relevance for Christian identity and mission. She has published the books "Bearing God's Name" (IVP 2019), "Being God's Image" (IVP 2023), and "Becoming God's Family" (IVP 2025). She has appeared on over 200 podcasts and radio shows. Dr. Imes releases weekly "Torah Tuesday" videos on her YouTube channel. You can find her writing at Christianity Today, Politics of Scripture, and The Well (InterVarsity). Her academic journey began when Carmen and her husband served as missionaries in the Philippines with SIM International, reaching out to ethnic minorities. Prof. Imes loves introducing students to the rich insights of the global church.

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Courses developed for Admirato are made possible by the generous donations of people who support the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc., a registered 501c3 non-profit organization. Tuition paid enables us to provide scholarships for those in need and allows us to fund new courses and translations of existing courses, and we are able to offer courses at significant discounts. Admirato is the online home for N.T. Wright Online courses and other resources developed by the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc. Admirato exists as a legal entity under the umbrella of the Wisconsin Center for Christian Studies, Inc., and is considered part of the non-profit work according to the laws for 501c3 organizations.