Blessed are the Meek

[timothyu]

then who's to say whose interpretation is the right one.

Hence the clash of the Reformation, scripture believers vs church authourity

 

[The happy Objectivist]

Hence the clash of the Reformation, scripture believers vs church authourity

I'm glad it's not my problem.

 

[timothyu]

I'm glad it's not my problem.

It's a universal clash. You might call it political authourity versus common man.

 

[public hermit]

Again, was Jesus meek or restrained?

I think the usual interpretation of gentleness is a good one. But there are various forms of gentleness, perhaps? One can be gentle by nature, gentle on account of weakness, and gentle on account of strength.

I think the "blessed are the meek" is not contingent on meekness being a virtue. All forms mentioned above could be blessed on account that gentleness is fitting for God's intention for humanity on earth. As if to say, blessed are the meek for they live now according to the kingdom that will be. Keep in mind that in Matt. 5 the beatitudes are meant to be counter-intuitive, contrasting what is with what will be, or the kingdoms of this world and the "kingdom of heaven" ("kingdom of heaven" is found at the beginning and end, framing the whole set of beatitudes). They are counter-intuitive in the sense that they don't appear to be blessings according to the way the kingdoms of this world often operate.

The first four beatitudes do not appear to be virtues (poor in spirit, mourn, meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness). They seem to be states were one lacks something good (or what the kingdoms of this world might consider good), which makes it counter-intuitive that they are blessed. But they are blessed in what wil be, even if not now. Certainly, the similar statements in Luke's "Sermon on the Plain" fit that counter-intuitive blessing (Luke 6).

The last four are virtues (merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted). The persecuted might not seem like a virtue, but not retaliating or succumbing or fleeing in the face of persecution would seem to take a combination of virtues such as courage and gentleness, as well as faith and hope)

Nonetheless, the reason any of those are blessed is not because they are virtuous but because they are fitting for God's kingdom. Those who are meek will inherit the earth because gentleness is fitting for what God intends for humanity on earth.

Even gentleness among the very strong is not really a virtue worth commendation, but simply a way of life if one lives according to the kingdom. Was Jesus virtuous in living gently when, according to an orthodox understanding, he could have wiped out his murderers with a word? No, not really, because he was living according to the ways of the kingdom. He would have had to have been not-himself to do that, if that makes sense.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[timothyu]

Sorry for the long post.

Wisdom should not be abbreviated. Save that for knowledge.