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Jozrael · 10-25-2006, 05:45 PM

Alright, I was brought up as a fundamentalist Christian, and then rejected that path for my own, though I still hold many of the teachings close to my heart and at least nod my head in respect for most of the others.

However, I was involved in an intense debate with someone once, and I brought up the example of Jesus' moral fiber.

To which he burst out laughing. Evidently, he had several alternative takes on many of the stories of Jesus in the Bible that paint him as a much more vengeful, fiery man than the one focused on love and redemption.

The next two examples are from Luke 6:28, from the New English Bible translation.

"When a man takes your coat, give him your shirt as well."

Well, in ancient times, under Jewish law (the prevailing law of the area) any man who saw another's unclothed body was deemed unclean, and had to go basically straight away to a temple to purify himself. The person so unclothed was not held to this standard. So, by unclothing yourself more, you actually caused the other person monetary and temporal hardship to go rectify his impurity.

"If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer him your left."

In ancient times, there were two distinct types of slaps. If you've ever been slapped with the front and the back of the hand with equal pressure (not a maniacal backhand compared to a playful frontal slap) you know that the front is much worse - it leaves you with a sharp stinging sensation rather than a dull impact from the back. Well, if you picture someone before you, slap their right cheek with your right hand (the dominant hand on most people, most often used) - you hit with the front. In ancient times, this was viewed as a sign of extreme disrespect to the slapped. Basically, it's how you'd slap your servant. Now, imagine them turning their left cheek to you - if you wanted to slap them again, you'd have to give them your <i>back hand</i>. This was viewed as a sign of censure among equals, of a much lesser negative status. You're forcing the person to treat you as an equal, which if done from an authoritarian point of view is extremely degrading to the slapper.

Finally, "If a soldier forces you to carry his pack for a mile, carry it two miles."

Back in ancient times, soldiers carried their packs long distances, to the point where it was exhausting. Law let them require of a citizen to give them a break and carry their pack for a single mile.

However, when a citizen carries it for any longer, there is a severe flogging for the soldier. 40 lashes.

Ouch.

Can you see any ulterior motives to carrying a soldier's pack for longer than a mile? You get to the next station.

"Stop! Citizen, stop!"

*Pant pant* "Officer, he made me carry this pack for 8 miles!"

"Soldier!"

"But! But!"

"Break out the lash!"

Etc. etc.

So, thoughts on how these make Jesus seem, or are they totally unimportant?

10-25-2006, 05:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Jozrael Junkie	New light on Jesus Alright, I was brought up as a fundamentalist Christian, and then rejected that path for my own, though I still hold many of the teachings close to my heart and at least nod my head in respect for most of the others. However, I was involved in an intense debate with someone once, and I brought up the example of Jesus' moral fiber. To which he burst out laughing. Evidently, he had several alternative takes on many of the stories of Jesus in the Bible that paint him as a much more vengeful, fiery man than the one focused on love and redemption. The next two examples are from Luke 6:28, from the New English Bible translation. "When a man takes your coat, give him your shirt as well." Well, in ancient times, under Jewish law (the prevailing law of the area) any man who saw another's unclothed body was deemed unclean, and had to go basically straight away to a temple to purify himself. The person so unclothed was not held to this standard. So, by unclothing yourself more, you actually caused the other person monetary and temporal hardship to go rectify his impurity. "If someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn and offer him your left." In ancient times, there were two distinct types of slaps. If you've ever been slapped with the front and the back of the hand with equal pressure (not a maniacal backhand compared to a playful frontal slap) you know that the front is much worse - it leaves you with a sharp stinging sensation rather than a dull impact from the back. Well, if you picture someone before you, slap their right cheek with your right hand (the dominant hand on most people, most often used) - you hit with the front. In ancient times, this was viewed as a sign of extreme disrespect to the slapped. Basically, it's how you'd slap your servant. Now, imagine them turning their left cheek to you - if you wanted to slap them again, you'd have to give them your <i>back hand</i>. This was viewed as a sign of censure among equals, of a much lesser negative status. You're forcing the person to treat you as an equal, which if done from an authoritarian point of view is extremely degrading to the slapper. Finally, "If a soldier forces you to carry his pack for a mile, carry it two miles." Back in ancient times, soldiers carried their packs long distances, to the point where it was exhausting. Law let them require of a citizen to give them a break and carry their pack for a single mile. However, when a citizen carries it for any longer, there is a severe flogging for the soldier. 40 lashes. Ouch. Can you see any ulterior motives to carrying a soldier's pack for longer than a mile? You get to the next station. "Stop! Citizen, stop!" Pant pant "Officer, he made me carry this pack for 8 miles!" "Soldier!" "But! But!" "Break out the lash!" Etc. etc. So, thoughts on how these make Jesus seem, or are they totally unimportant?