Comments on: Why Did Jesus Tell Them To Buy Swords?

By: Brian Dolleman

Brian Dolleman — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 19:39:59 +0000

This is interesting – and related to this topic (about what was going on in the temple with the whip)… Isaiah prophesies that non-violence would be a characteristic of the Messiah:

“He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.” – Isaiah 53:9

By: Brian Dolleman

Brian Dolleman — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 18:13:13 +0000

Ah, man… you had to bring the cracking of the whip up! Now in one day we’re covering the two New Testament proof-texts for violence and weaponry. I’m just joking with ya, of course.

I do agree with you about Jesus’ zeal, passion, and even anger about injustice.

My view of the temple story is that no animals or humans were harmed in the making of that movie. Jesus cracked a whip, turned over tables, and people ran. I don’t read in the text that he whipped people or that blood was shed.

I see it as an act of dramatic theater, of protest, and the point of it all was to make a statement – not punish or wound or harm individuals, even the perpetrators of injustice. It was to set his house right.

That being said, I certainly hear you about protecting your home, and government protecting it’s citizens. I am deeply torn on the issue of “just war” and honestly don’t know what to do with it. Perhaps it is one of those many “until He comes…” issues that we must bear, the reality of a fallen and broken world.

More and more I am fascinated with non-violent resistance. We would not esteem MLK the way we do if he had taken up arms. His creative, non-violent resistance eventually shamed those who oppressed. It’s what Jesus intended when he said “turn the other cheek” – once the oppressor hits, to have the victim offer up the other cheek is putting up a mirror and confronting the violent with who they have become. It is dramatic theater. A protest. Non-violent resistance.

I have read that an overwhelming majority of Hitler’s army was baptized (Lutheran). If only they had refused to take up arms. If only they had creatively resisted. Maybe that wouldn’t have been enough. I’m willing to concede that. But I do think the church today lacks imagination. We tend to gravitate to the same old methods of empire, and we eat its fruit.

Thank you for challenging me, for pushing back. I need it.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 17:30:02 +0000

Interesting dilemma here PB, especially in light of current events. I think it’s pretty clear that Jesus was not remotely interested in establishing an earthly kingdom (a confession which, I must admit, took no small amount of reprogramming). His rebuke to the disciples when they wanted to call down fire from heaven should be getting more air time from pulpits around the country, as far as I’m concerned. And though I’m not opposed to gun ownership, even for the purposes of self defense, I choose not to live in fear. I believe I can trust God to take care of my family and I, and get us through any circumstances He chooses to allow us to face.
There is another aspect of this issue that I think must be included, however. Jesus was not without being angry – even violent. When He “expelled” the money-changers from the temple, He made a whip, and drove them out. This is a stark contrast the gentle, mild-mannered, milk-toast shepard I have heard some describe him to be.
I have heard this story used as justification for everything from not allowing any fund-raising on church property (except, of course, for offerings), to not taking offerings.
I don’t believe His anger had anything to do with money though – at least not the idea of exchanging money in the temple. His words were pointed, “…you have made it a den of THIEVES.”
In the context of the day, the “money-changers” were in the Temple selling elements for sacrifice (grains, animals, birds) to travelers who had come long distances to follow the command of the Law to make their yearly sacrifices. It would be impractical for them to bring the necessary grains, doves, lambs, bulls, etc. on such a long trip.
The opportunists were apparently taking advantage of these weary travelers by charging substantially more than was fair for the elements for sacrifice (thieves).
I believe this story is intended to bring to light something else that is important to God – Justice. God is concerned about what is just and right. The book of Proverbs states over and over that He hates an unjust scale. Jesus, who would never defend himself – or even, as you pointed out, tell us to defend ourselves – jumped to defend those being victimized by others, even to the point of violence.
I guess that is why I am not opposed to a justified war (I recognize that may be an elusive term given the misinformation in our media). I believe it is incumbent upon someone, or an organization, or a nation, to do what is necessary to come to the aid of an individual or group of individuals who are being unfairly victimized, even to the point of violent intervention. As long as that is truly the motive, I believe it is God honoring.
Just my thoughts…

By: Cristian

Cristian — Mon, 23 Nov 2015 16:58:25 +0000

Love this perspective. Not often thought about.