Who are YOUR enemies?

[Freodin]

Inspired by this post:

We are taught to love our enemies, NOT Christ's enemies.

It should not be forgotten that the One who said "love your enemies" also said "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me." Neither should it be forgotten that the One who said, turn the other cheek, made a whip and soundly thrashed the money changers, turning over their tables and driving them out of the temple.

Jesus was not the - lay down in the gutter and let everyone walk over you - person that liberals would have us believe.

I had some thoughts on this, but first I need more info from the christian side.

Which people do you perceive as YOUR enemies?

 

[DanielRB]

My enemies?

Stupid people. Not just stupid, but willfully stupid. People who don't use their minds critically.

Those are my enemies.

Daniel

 

[cantata]

I've always found this idea that Jesus actually soundly thrashed the money changers to be something of a "creative" (ahem) reading. John 2:14-15 merely reads, "In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle." There's nothing specifically about Jesus whupping the asses of any money changers, or indeed any people at all, and even if you want to read "the sheep and the cattle" metaphorically, it only says he drove them out; he might have just threatened them with the whip, rather than pinning them down and laying into them, as some people would have us believe.

Anyway, interesting-looking thread, Freodin I look forward to seeing how it turns out!

 

[DanielRB]

I've always found this idea that Jesus actually soundly thrashed the money changers to be something of a "creative" (ahem) reading. John 2:14-15 merely reads, "In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle." There's nothing specifically about Jesus whupping the asses of any money changers, or indeed any people at all, and even if you want to read "the sheep and the cattle" metaphorically, it only says he drove them out; he might have just threatened them with the whip, rather than pinning them down and laying into them, as some people would have us believe.

Regardless of the reading, it's clear he was upset and did something we'd probably consider criminal. He directly interfered with peaceful commerce. As to 'just threatened'--well, I kind of view it the same. If I 'just threaten' to beat the tar out of someone, that would definiately be considered a criminal act.

Besides, if Jesus is God incarnate, the Old Testament clearly shows his willingness to use violence against others. And besides that, an All-Powerful God is ultimately the one from whom all life--and death--flow.

Daniel

 

[Freodin]

My enemies?

Stupid people. Not just stupid, but willfully stupid. People who don't use their minds critically.

Those are my enemies.

Daniel

Ok, thanks for answering.

Now I have two follow-up questions:

1. Do they show animosity towards you? Or you you THEIR enemy?

2. Are (some of) these people Christians as well?

 

[DanielRB]

Ok, thanks for answering.

Now I have two follow-up questions:

1. Do they show animosity towards you?

Sometimes, especially in traffic. I don't care if they're stupid in the privacy of their home, but when their stupidity affects me, they become my enemy.

Or you you THEIR enemy?

Sometimes the feeling is mutual.

2. Are (some of) these people Christians as well?

Absolutely.

 

[quatona]

I don´t think I´ll ever allow anyone to be my enemy.

 

[DanielRB]

I don´t think I´ll ever allow anyone to be my enemy.

You can't avoid making enemies, unless you do nothing. You might not consider them enemies, but that can't stop them from considering you one. People don't need your permission to hate you.

 

[Polycarp_fan]

Inspired by this post:

I had some thoughts on this, but first I need more info from the Christian side.

Which people do you perceive as YOUR enemies?

Are you new here?

 

[Bobfr]

ignorance and prejudice

 

[Markus6]

Atheists and other people who eat kittens.

Also an ex-friend of mine who can shoot lightning out of his hands and has plans to take over the world is pretty much my nemesis.

 

[Rebekka]

I've always found this idea that Jesus actually soundly thrashed the money changers to be something of a "creative" (ahem) reading. John 2:14-15 merely reads, "In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money-changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle." There's nothing specifically about Jesus whupping the asses of any money changers, or indeed any people at all, and even if you want to read "the sheep and the cattle" metaphorically, it only says he drove them out; he might have just threatened them with the whip, rather than pinning them down and laying into them, as some people would have us believe.

Anyway, interesting-looking thread, Freodin I look forward to seeing how it turns out!

Did you go to a catholic Mass on Sunday? This was last Sunday's reading (Nov. 9), the feast day of the consecration of St John's of Lateran, the cathedral of the bishop of Rome (the pope).


The only specific enemy I have is my husband's boss. I definitely feel his animosity towards my husband and me. He's not a christian, but there are many non-christians who are not my enemy, and it is not relevant in this case.

 

[Braunwyn]

What makes a person an enemy? There's only one person, sort of, in my life that doesn't like me (my step-mother). But, if she called on me for help I'd be there for her in a second. She has some type of emotional illness, perhaps undiagnosed mental illness, but that only insights compassion, not enemy status.

 

[Braunwyn]

Are you new here?

S/he will shortly learn on this board the old cliche "You are your own worst enemy"

 

[Freodin]

I was just wonderen when I read the text quoted in the OP: just who are these persons a Christian is supposed to "specially" love... the enemies, that Jesus mentioned, in contrast to the "friends", that even the tax collectors love.

Obviously, the quoted poster does not think that "the enemies of Jesus" should be loved. The quoted verse defines these "enemies of Jesus" - those who do not want him to rule over them.

That would mean - fitting to the "that who is not for me is against me" - that every non-Christian does not have to be loved. Rather "slay him before me". (I wonder why Christians refrain from following this command?)

That leaves us with other Christians.

And noticing all the claims of unity, friendship, family-feeling that exists amongst "true" Christians... I wondered, what kind of Christian enemies can a Christian have?

 

[Freodin]

Are you new here?

S/he will shortly learn on this board the old cliche "You are your own worst enemy"

At the top of each post is an info box with various data about the poster, including (if checked) gender and join date.

Read it.


Noobs!

 

[Polycarp_fan]

At the top of each post is an info box with various data about the poster, including (if checked) gender and join date.

Read it.


Noobs!

Sarcasm.

The "enemies" of Christians and Christianity are well documented. No need for a thread on the matter.

 

[Freodin]

Sarcasm.

Nope. An indirect answer to your question. And a little joke. Which is, of course, wasted on people without a sense of humour. I hope Braunwyn gets it.

The "enemies" of Christians and Christianity are well documented. No need for a thread on the matter.

Are the enemies of Christians and Christianity also the enemies of Christ?

Are there enemies of Christians and Christianity that are NOT enemies of Christ?

Are Christians the enemies of Christians?

So who are your enemies that you are supposed to love?

 

[Polycarp_fan]

Nope. An indirect answer to your question. And a little joke. Which is, of course, wasted on people without a sense of humour. I hope Braunwyn gets it.

Are the enemies of Christians and Christianity also the enemies of Christ?

God doesn't have enemies.

Are there enemies of Christians and Christianity that are NOT enemies of Christ?

Roman soldiers no longer exist. Are there any Samaritans out there still? Women that is?

Are Christians the enemies of Christians?

Some are. Christian is just a word that can be applied to all sorts of people and as a matter of self-application. I can wear a white smock in a hospital with a name badge on it and people will think I am a doctor. I even know some doctor language and customs.

So who are your enemies that you are supposed to love?

Modern day pagans and tax collectors. Guess who I think that defines?

Also, avoiding evil people is an act of love towards them.

 

[Freodin]

God doesn't have enemies.

That is your opinion. The quoted poster in the OP seems to think different.

Some are. Christian is just a word that can be applied to all sorts of people and as a matter of self-application. I can wear a white smock in a hospital with a name badge on it and people will think I am a doctor. I even know some doctor language and customs.

That´s why I specifically mentioned the "true" Christians. I guess you would identify yourself as one. Or are you wearing your Christianity like a white smock?

Modern day pagans and tax collectors. Guess who I think that defines?

Are those people who want Christ to rule over them or not?

Say, did you even read the OP?