Charlie Trimm

The divine warrior is an important motif in the Old Testament, leading many to study profitably the motif in its most prominent manifestations in poetic texts. This study builds on that foundation by examining the divine warrior in detail in the exodus narrative to construct a broader picture of the motif in the Old Testament. The heart of the work focuses on the exodus narrative. Many aspects of YHWH’s actions in the narrative, such as the terminology, his nature weapons, his psychological attacks, the presence of supernatural envoys and disease, and his harmonious relationship with his people identify YHWH’s role as that of a divine warrior.

Fighting for the King and the Gods: A Survey of Warfare in the Ancient Near East

Fighting for the King and the Gods provides an introduction to the topic of war and the variety of texts concerning many aspects of warfare in the ancient Near East. These texts illustrate various viewpoints of war and show how warfare was an integral part of life. Trimm examines not only the victors and the famous battles, but also the hardship that war brought to many. While several of these texts treated here are well known (i.e., Ramses II’s battle against the Hittites at Qadesh), others are known only to specialists. This work will allow a broader audience to access and appreciate these important texts as they relate to the history and ideology of warfare.

For Us, but Not to Us: Essays on Creation, Covenant, and Context in Honor of John H. Walton

ByCarmen Joy Imes, Charlie Trimm, Kenneth Way

John H. Walton is a significant voice in Old Testament studies, who has influenced many scholars in this field as well as others. This volume is an acknowledgment from his students of Walton’s role as a teacher, scholar, and mentor. Each essay is offered by scholars (and former students) working in a range of fields—from Old and New Testament studies to archaeology and theology. They are offered as a testimony and tribute to Walton’s prolific career.”

The Destruction of the Canaanites: God, Genocide, and Biblical Interpretation

When Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, he was told to destroy the Canaanites as well as their culture. Yet, how can a good God command genocide, and how are we to make sense of one of the Bible’s most difficult ethical problems? In The Destruction of the Canaanites, Charlie Trimm evaluates this topic from every conceivable angle: Who were the Canaanites, and what do we know about them? How should one understand the nature of warfare in the ancient world? When is an event considered genocide? He then provides four possible approaches to reconciling biblical violence.

Understanding Old Testament Theology: Mapping the Terrain of Recent Approaches

In Understanding Old Testament Theology, professors Brittany Kim and Charlie Trimm provide an overview of the contemporary approaches to Old Testament theology. In three main sections, they examine approaches that ground Old Testament theology in history, survey approaches that foreground Old Testament theme(s), and consider approaches that highlight different contexts for doing Old Testament theology. Each main chapter describes both common features of the approach and points of tension and then offers a test case illuminating how it has been applied to the book of Exodus. Through reading this book, you’ll hopefully come to see the Old Testament in a fresh light—as something that’s alive and active, continually drawing us into deeper encounters with the living God.