Today’s entry in Experimental Theology asks a question regarding cherem in the book of Joshua:
Would the hate-filled reader really walk away with the view that the solution to Israel’s exile problem was more cherem? Or would the reader come to see and accept the conclusion of Joshua, that living with and among pagans is inevitable, and that faithfulness to Yahweh, with and among pagans, rather than violence, is the only way to holiness.
To answer this question, look at how the Samaritans were treated in the book of Ezra. Then look at how the foreign wives and children were treated in the book of Nehemiah. They chose more cherem.
That being said. Read the post. It’s quite good.
Devoted to Destruction: Reading Cherem Non-Violently: http://experimentaltheology.blogspot.com/2013/05/devoted-to-destruction-reading-cherem.html