The New Way
Jesus the new Moses: Mat 2.15; cp. John 1.17.
The Golden Rule of Jesus redefines, summarizes “the Law and the prophets” (Matt 7:12).
Mercy now overrides sacrifices (Mat 9.13; 12.7; cf. Hos 6.6).
Mercy now overrides the old civil system: death penalty, Mat 5.27-28.
But justice is coming! Imprecatory Prayers answered.
Political Patriotic Parties
Gamaliel speech: Acts 5.35-39
Jesus attracted non-religious;
Religious “holy,” men!
Government officials (taxman);
Insurrectionists (Zealots);
“Simon the patriot,” Luke 6.12-16!
Paul: “a violent man”
Peter: a Christian-at-arms
The New Way
A direct, overt rejection of the tit-for-tat, quid pro quo under the Law of Moses!
The parading shift: Matt 26.52
"Whoever lives by the sword WILL DIE by the sword."
Jesus “overrules” Moses
Harnack, Militia Christi:
“We need say nothing more to confirm that the gospel excluded all force and had nothing warlike about it, nor would it allow it.”
Hays, Moral Vision:
“There’s no foundation whatever in the Gospel of Matthew for the notion that violence in defense of a third party is justifiable. In fact, Matt 26.51-52 serves as an explicit refutation of this idea.”
Imprecatory Prayers
James and John asked Jesus:
“Sir, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy them?” Luke 9.54
“Wait until the Lord comes.”
1Cor 4:5
Apocalyptic/Judgment Parables
Enemies are “destroyed” at the Feast, Matt 22.1-10;
Wicked vineyard tenants “killed,” Lk 20.9-16, Mat 21.33-41;
Apocalyptic/Judgment Parables
Talented Christians “slaughter” the enemy, Lk 19.12-27;
The goats suffer “eternal punishment,” Mat 25.31-46.
Apocalyptic/Judgment Parables
Unfaithful servants “cut in two,” Mat 24:42-51; cp. Luke 12.46;
False prophets “cut down/burned,” Mat 7.19;
The whole book of Apocalypse!
‘The wicked were squeezed like grapes; their blood turned into a river 180 miles long, deep enough to cover a horse.’
Rev. 14.20
NOTE: one of the most used OT in NT:
Ps 21:9, “thrown in furnace, burned in fire”
Prayers will be answered!
Hays, Moral Vision of the New Testament:
“[Jesus] doesn’t commend the disciple who takes up the sword to defend him against unjust arrest; rather, uttering a prophetic word of judgment against all who ‘take the sword,’ he commands that the sword be put away.”
A Time to Kill!
Luke 19.27
Now is the time:
Where are my enemies? Where are the people who did not want me to be king? Bring my enemies before me and slaughter them. I will watch them die.
Bibliography
Bercot, The Kingdom that Turned the World Upside Down.
Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.
Boyd, The Myth Of A Christian Nation.
Brensinger & Sider, Within the Perfection of Christ.
Camp, Mere Discipleship.
Clouse, War: Four Christian Views.
Dodge, War Inconsistent with the Religion of Jesus Christ.
Drescher, Why I Am a Conscientious Objector.
Egan, Peace Be With You: Justified Warfare or the Way of Non-Violence.
Ford, My Enemy is My Guest.
Gray, The Warriors: Reflection of Men in Battle.
Grossman, On Killing.
Harnack, Militia Christi.
Kalantzis, Caesar and the Lamb.
Claibourne, Jesus for President.
Joseph, The Nonviolent Messiah.
MacArthur, Why Government Can’t Save You.
McCarthy, Christian Just War Theory: The Logic of Deceit.
MLK, Strength to Love.
Roth, Choosing Against War.
Sprinkle, Fight: A Christian Case for Non-Violence.
Stassen & Gushee, Kingdom Ethics.
Taylor, A Change of Allegiance.
Tolstoy, The Kingdom Of God Is Within You.
Wink, Jesus and Nonviolence.
Yoder, The Politics of Jesus; What Would You Do.
York & Barringer, A Faith Not Worth Fighting For.
Allman, Who Would Jesus Kill?
Peck, We Who Would Not Kill.
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