Though some have suggested that 1–2 Kings preserves a record of an angry and unforgiving God, the opposite is true. As Peter Leithart says so well, “A careful reading of 1–2 Kings reveals a God who is always giving more than people ask, imagine, or deserve (…), a God of infinite, uncanny, unnerving patience” (1 and 2 Kings, page 21).
Some characterizations of the God of the Old Testament were clearly made by those who haven’t read the Old Testament. It is right to resist when they blaspheme our God.
Todd! I’ve been waiting and waiting and waiting to see some lovely pictures of your lovely family in a new state! I can’t wait to hear how God is blessing you and your family there in CA! Are you excited for the new school year and the new job?! Are you nervous about teaching (kids, I mean students) again?! Those lucky kids don’t even know how blessed they will be to have you as a prof! Are you going to let them call you Todd, or is that name reserved or retired and left for Israel and IBEX? “Dr. Bolen”… that sounds so professional! Please, please, please do a blog update on TMC and your life there! :)
Ilena – thank you for the encouragement and I’m sorry for the delay. I answered most of your questions in a post last night. As for my name, I hope they’ll call me Todd.