Forgiveness, NT and OT

[Theophilus7]

Hello folks,

I was wondering what your take on the harmony (or disparity) of NT and OT teaching on forgiveness is. Do you see a contradiction between the OT's 'eye for an eye' and Christ's 'turn the other cheek'?

Shalom,

T7

 

[CovenantRay]

Hello folks,

I was wondering what your take on the harmony (or disparity) of NT and OT teaching on forgiveness is. Do you see a contradiction between the OT's 'eye for an eye' and Christ's 'turn the other cheek'?

Shalom,

T7

Theophilus7:

The eye for an eye portion of the Old Testament relates to civil law, when someone is harmed, the penalty should be on par with the harm. This is not revenge, nor unforgiveness. US civil law is based upon this principle. My lovely wife has studied these Old Testament scriptures much more deeply than I and could better comment.

When Y'shua was asked the greatest commandment, he stated that ...you are to love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, AND to love your neighbor as yourself. These are Old Testament scriptures.

There is no disharmony between Old and New, only in the application and context of those who don't completely understand them [so you don't think I'm boasting, I don't completely understand them]. Our G-d has not changed, as He is Eternal and consistent. He's not a man so that He would lie.

Shalom,

CovenantRay

 

[ChavaK]

Hello folks,

I was wondering what your take on the harmony (or disparity) of NT and OT teaching on forgiveness is. Do you see a contradiction between the OT's 'eye for an eye' and Christ's 'turn the other cheek'?

Shalom,

T7

Just a short note...Judaism has always understood that "eye for an eye" means monetary compensation, not
exacting revenge upon someone...

 

[schwartmrs]

The OT passages concerning forgiveness amount to this.

If you have wronged your neighbor, you must make it right and ask forgiveness.

If you have boken G-d's Law, you must repent.

The "eye for an eye" that you mentioned has long been misinterpreted by mainstream Christian theology as meaning that the rulers and judges in Israel actually maimed their own people in order to exact vengeance. This is simply not true. The passage that you refer to follows a section of Law that we would call "personal injury law" and details the monetary compensation that should be paid to the victim of an accident. The specific verse in question is an admonition to the judges to hand down a fair judgement and could rightly be read as "if the eye is lost, render the value of a lost eye...if a tooth is lost, render the value of a lost tooth...do not render the value of a foot for a tooth, or a hand for an eye...fair judgment must be given regardless of the popularity, social standing, or wealth of either the plaintiff or the defendant."

The New Testament scripture upholds the Old Testament scripture completely and absolutely. A careful search of NT scripture will render the exact same principles stated above.

 

[Theophilus7]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts. Most helpful

 

[Sephania]

Theophilus7:

The eye for an eye portion of the Old Testament relates to civil law, when someone is harmed, the penalty should be on par with the harm. This is not revenge, nor unforgiveness. US civil law is based upon this principle. My lovely wife has studied these Old Testament scriptures much more deeply than I and could better comment.

When Y'shua was asked the greatest commandment, he stated that ...you are to love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, AND to love your neighbor as yourself. These are Old Testament scriptures.

There is no disharmony between Old and New, only in the application and context of those who don't completely understand them [so you don't think I'm boasting, I don't completely understand them]. Our G-d has not changed, as He is Eternal and consistent. He's not a man so that He would lie.

Shalom,

CovenantRay

I couldn't have said it better, and also to Shade for her post. Excellent teamwork you two!

 

[Bon]

The OT passages concerning forgiveness amount to this.

If you have wronged your neighbor, you must make it right and ask forgiveness.

If you have boken G-d's Law, you must repent.

The "eye for an eye" that you mentioned has long been misinterpreted by mainstream Christian theology as meaning that the rulers and judges in Israel actually maimed their own people in order to exact vengeance. This is simply not true. The passage that you refer to follows a section of Law that we would call "personal injury law" and details the monetary compensation that should be paid to the victim of an accident. The specific verse in question is an admonition to the judges to hand down a fair judgement and could rightly be read as "if the eye is lost, render the value of a lost eye...if a tooth is lost, render the value of a lost tooth...do not render the value of a foot for a tooth, or a hand for an eye...fair judgment must be given regardless of the popularity, social standing, or wealth of either the plaintiff or the defendant."

The New Testament scripture upholds the Old Testament scripture completely and absolutely. A careful search of NT scripture will render the exact same principles stated above.

Thank you so much for clarifying this Schwartmrs.
Bon

 

[visionary]

Romans 12:17-21 (NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.

I have found from personal experience, that if we leave the retribution and justice in the hands of the Lord, and do our part in repaying evil with good, God gets the glory and miracles do happen.

 

[hadara]

Hello folks,

I was wondering what your take on the harmony (or disparity) of NT and OT teaching on forgiveness is. Do you see a contradiction between the OT's 'eye for an eye' and Christ's 'turn the other cheek'?

Shalom,

T7

Hi Theophilus, I like your handle...much better a handle I saw ealier today (not in here) -it was "CaligulaNero" eek.

I think that Christ's teaching is an example of the "Spirit of the Torah"

hadara

 

[stone]

this was a good read