TWO-PART SERIES: Justifying War’s Violence or Teaching Nonviolence: How are We to Understand the Bible, as Followers of Jesus
Date: October 8, 2026 12:00 pm
Location: Virtual
Justifying War’s Violence or Teaching Nonviolence: How are We to Understand the Bible, as Followers of Jesus?
Part I: Weaponizing the Bible for Violence – Thursday, October 8 at12:00-1:00 pm (Central time)
Part II. Jesus’ Response to Violence – Thursday, October 15 at 12:00-1:00 pm (Central time)
Zoom registration link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/KWFNxebsRcq2ZfReSVpREQ
Description: In some of the Bible’s most challenging passages, violence appears to be commanded or sanctioned by God, leading some political leaders and some people in the pew to conclude that violence can, under certain circumstances, be justified for God’s people. Yet a careful reading of Scripture challenges whether these “texts of violence” should be understood as establishing a normative ethic for followers of Jesus. These two Zoom sessions will explore the interpretive approaches that shape how Christians read difficult passages in both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. Together, we will consider how Jesus’ life, teachings, and response to violence provide an interpretive lens for understanding Scripture and the Christian call to nonviolence.
Dr. David May taught at Central Seminary from 1994 until he retired in 2024 as Professor of New Testament, Landreneau Guillory Chair of Biblical Studies, and Director of the Master of Arts (Theological Studies) program. Previous to this he served as Visiting Professor of New Testament (1991-94) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Baptist Chair of Bible (1987-1993) at University of Central Missouri State University in Warrensburg, Missouri.
Dr. May has published numerous books and articles, including Preaching Matthew: Interpretation and Proclamation (2007, co-written with Mike Graves), Revelation: Weaving a Tapestry of Hope(2001), and The Journey: An Introduction to the New Testament World through Socio-Narrative. He has written many articles for professional journals, including Review & Expositor.
He has given numerous presentations to professional societies and been active in the Society of Biblical Literature (SBL), the National Association of Baptist Professors of Religion, and on the Editorial Board of Review & Expositor. Because of his great interest in the biblical world of the first century, he has led numerous study tours to archaeological sites in Israel, Greece, and Turkey.
Dr. May has also served churches as pastor, associate pastor, and interim pastor and has given countless presentations and workshops on biblical topics to numerous congregations. He continues to do research and writing during his retirement years and lives in St. Joseph, MO. with his wife Pam.
