And the number one reason Jesus did not hang around the Pharisees much or hang out with them much, is because they would not admit they were sick and in need of a physician, but not because he did not love them...
They were the "hardest around" like I said just a little bit ago, (post #21, top of the page) and that's why Jesus dealt with or handled them in the way that He did, and/but not because He did not love them, no not at all, for He actually loved them very, very much...
God Bless!
Those were not His exact words you know...How often do you tell your loved ones that they are evil and are going to hell?
God is the same and punishes the wicked every day with war, famine, disease, and pestilence. But his plan for believers now calls for non-violence.I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
The passage of time does influence the behavior and views in civilizations. It wasn't really that long ago that slavery was abolished. In regards with that, the transitions that also happen between these events don't happen overnight as well.I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
Check out Aish.com and you will find that on a Jewish understanding of the OT there is very little difference.I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
I think this is how progressive revelation works. There is a theory of teaching morality that says the teacher has to stoop to one level above the student's current state to show a comprehensible moral code that lifts the student up one level. Man had fallen so far in OT times that God took them from indiscriminate revenge as justice to proportional justice through Moses and the Law. Jesus reveals more of God's true intent for us by calling us to a higher moral code of forgiveness and repentance for our sins versus crime and punishment. Here is a link to an article that shows the reason why we should forgive.I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
I don't see any contradiction between the old and new testaments. God's law hasn't changed one bit, in fact Jesus says that he wasn't going to remove one jot or tiddle from the law.I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
Probably because several hundreds of years passed between the main books of the old testament and the main books of the new testament. Plus some exile and some experience under foreign occupation made the people writing realise that the xenophobic views in the old testament were just not going to make it in the "real world".why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
Jesus Christ of Nazareth contrasted His ministry with the teachings of the Pharisees who corrupted the Law. He stressed that in order to be in the Kingdom of God one must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. They laid heavy burdens upon the Jewish community yet they could not meet that burden themselves. Jesus often spoke in hyperbole when dealing with the Pharisees in order to make a point.I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
The Old Testament people were looking for a Davidic warrior Messiah. They were not expecting the son of God as a teacher and healer.I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
In your example of a serial killer, assuming this person is in jail,
I would assume the person helping the serial killer is unaware of the condition. After all, serial killers are not easily discerned in society. As Christians we hate the sin and not the sinner, (at least we try.) A good example is the recent case of the brother of the slain man who was killed by Amber Guyger. He forgave his brothers killer with much humility and overcame his hatred and in turn society was was not hurt by his actions rather, society gained insight into the Love God has for all.If he's in jail, he's probably not being toxic to society. I mean someone that's still loose; perhaps even, the government is in disarray and only anarchy exists. And this serial killer is murdering people frequently.
If we look at such a person and treat him with kindness of the sort: Oh sir, let me help you carry your bags (not assuming there are bodies in them), aren't we showing hatred for society, and even an unreasonable degree of acceptance toward this person?
If he's in prison, then my doubts change completely. He's not actively harming anyone, so yes: show him kindness; God showed kindness to us miserable people.
I would assume the person helping the serial killer is unaware of the condition. After all, serial killers are not easily discerned in society. As Christians we hate the sin and not the sinner, (at least we try.) A good example is the recent case of the brother of the slain man who was killed by Amber Guyger. He forgave his brothers killer with much humility and overcame his hatred and in turn society was was not hurt by his actions rather, society gained insight into the Love God has for all.
Blessings
Well then skip that first sentence and go to what Jesus Christ of Nazareth would do, which is presented in the next sentences.You just nullified my question, though. I asked how we should treat serial killers in this regard; saying we don't know he's a serial killer completely dodges the issue. And in a society that's given to anarchy, it's very possible that you'd know.
...This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
Paul was arresting Christians and voting for their execution. God asked him to reconsider his career path. Paul became an organizer of churches.Jesus Christ of Nazareth contrasted His ministry with the teachings of the Pharisees who corrupted the Law. He stressed that in order to be in the Kingdom of God one must exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. They laid heavy burdens upon the Jewish community yet they could not meet that burden themselves. Jesus often spoke in hyperbole when dealing with the Pharisees in order to make a point.
Jesus initiated the "New Covenant" and fulfilled the "Old Covenant " with His work on the cross. Ethics did not change, penalties changed. We now have forgiveness through Jesus Christ of Nazareth. In your example of a serial killer, assuming this person is in jail, can have redemption. This is the "Good News" in the Kingdom of God. There was no redemption before, only the penalty of death.
I plan to gather more examples. But, one that really stands out to me:
In the Sermon on the Mount, Christ taught us to love our enemies. I listened to a sermon by David Guzik, and if he's correct, this love goes beyond emotion (e.g. care for their soul) and extends to even assisting (though not assisting in evil acts) not just personal enemies, but enemies of society. So, for example, we might assist a serial killer in his walk through life.
This seems very contrary to the Old Testament, which has imprecatory psalms and in which Ecclesiastes tells us that there's a time for hate.
I'm curious about this specifically, but I'm also curious generally: why does the NT seem so different from the OT, at least when it comes to ethics?
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