Matthew R. Schlimm – This Strange and Sacred Scripture

Episode Summary

In this interview, Matt L. talks about This Strange and Sacred Scripture with author, Old Testament Scholar, and professor Matthew Schlimm. They discuss Matthew’s relationship with the Hardy Boys novels, why the Old Testament is like a friend, laws about eating locusts, places where the Old Testament gets in a fight with itself, and much more that makes the Old Testament so strange and wonderful.

Guest 

Dr. Matthew R. Schlimm is Associate Professor of Old Testament at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. He completed his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible/Old Testament at Duke University. His research interests focus on biblical theology and biblical ethics.  His first book, From Fratricide to Forgiveness: The Language and Ethics of Anger in Genesis, examines the various episodes involving human anger in Genesis, moving from Cain’s murdering Abel in Genesis 4 to Joseph’s forgiving his brothers in Genesis 50.  His most recent book, This Strange and Sacred Scripture: Wrestling with the Old Testament and Its Oddities, examines key questions that the Old Testament raises.  Schlimm has also served as one of the editors for the CEB Study Bible and published in a variety of journals.

Book

Schlimm’s book This Strange and Sacred Scripture (Baker Academic, 2015) combines ‘pastoral insight, biblical scholarship, and a healthy dose of humility, gifted teacher and communicator Matthew Schlimm explores perennial theological questions raised by the Old Testament. He provides strategies for reading and appropriating these sacred texts, showing how the Old Testament can shape the lives of Christians today and helping them appreciate the Old Testament as a friend in faith.’ (from the Baker Academic website)