Jesus Being Liberal
I have often wondered why Christian's vote so largely republican. They overall are conservative and very afraid of change. I see nothing conservative about Christ. He was a revolutionary and in my opinion, a liberal. He life completely changed religion and added a New Testament to the traditional laws. He did not come to say "just follow the laws and traditions and you will be fine. Don't change anything." He rewrote the laws and showed that although we should follow them, traditions can sometimes be bad because we don't follow them for the right reasons. When a person is doing something just because people have always done it that way, then that person's heart probably isn't in the right place.
In Matthew, chapter five Jesus tells the people "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law, for I have come to fulfill it." Why would people think that he had come to abolish the law? Because he was doing things a new way and they didn't understand it. They were so caught up in what they thought they knew was the "truth" and the way to do things that they forgot the reasons why you should do these things. They weren't doing them because their heart told them that they were the right things to do, but instead because the church and the teachers of the law told them what was right. He went on to say about specific laws, "You people have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement', but I tell you that anyone is angry with his brother will be subject to judgement…You have heard that it was said 'do not commit adultery' but I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart." (Matthew 5:21-28)
In this passage I think he was reminding the people why they follow the laws. Following the laws doesn't make them righteous, their effort does. The laws are not the standard by which we should be judged, but instead just minimum suggestions to guide us. We know what is right and should do the most we can, not the minimum. In Matthew 15 Jesus says of the Pharisees, "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
S: Well, as followers of Jesus we should fulfill the Jewish law; we should even take it as far and fulfill it better than the Pharisees and scribes. In my opinion, the Gospel of Matthew does not tell to abandon the Jewish law; it in fact, says the opposite. Jesus fulfills this Law and prophecy!
Modern Christianity is sometimes criticized for attempting to tie the Gospel to a right wing political ideology. Unfortunately, some of this criticism is justifiable. As we will see, having a consistently Biblical world view will not always fit neatly into "left wing" or "right wing" categories.
However, when it comes to some of the lower members within their society; true actions are shown. 16 Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing. 17 The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. 18 The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.
It says that it is that law, and that no other law can defy it. Also, we have our own moral laws that we use to make everyday decisions. In ancient Greece, they had a system of laws very similar to today's system.
He looks at various examples form the Old Testament and from the New Testament. While there were Kings under the old covenant, they were just as much in subjection to God 's Laws as were the people. The Judges, Prophets, and Sages also knew the great God they served. Even if every man has his say, the Lord will have his way at the end of the day. Briefly looking at the New Testament, he mentions Elders and Deacons. Certainly Elders care for the flock as a servant would. Deacons in the Greek literally means: "servant." Jesus, being our best example of a servant, is shown to be one even during his temptations. Dale mentions the "pleasure principle," "power principle," and the "parade principle." Jesus even took the servant route following God 's will during these trials. "Servants don 't demand obedience or submission. They meet their followers at their point of need." (Dale
Conservatism believes in a strong central leadership such as monarchs. So the only people running and making decisions are a select few which include the king and elites entrusted by the king and these mostly consist of male property owners. I believe this is how a country is ran properly because you have a select few making all the decisions and this small group is educated and know what is best for the country. These elites are suited to make these decisions unlike peasants who all they do is work in the field. Also conservatism has a strong church leadership keeping the monarchs in order to make the best decisions. This is ideal for a country because God has been leading his people to prosperous lives and keeping them safe all throughout history so no need to abandon him know. Church officials are the only people that know what God wants for the nation because that is what they do for a living. Interpret God’s word and pray to him for answers and guidance. It only makes sense the Church should run hand in hand with the monarchs to do what is best for the country. With that select group of leaders leading the nation it sets limits and limits are good for the government. It set clear lines on what needs to be done and how ...
Some would argue that capital punishment can only be found in the Old Testament, and the New Testament is all about love and forgiveness. However in Matthew 5:17, Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.” Jesus did not repeal all Old Testament laws and make up new ones, but on the contrary, He came to fulfill the law and the prophets. Yes, Jesus did come as a loving and merciful God, but He also came in submission to man's authority, which ultimately led to His death. Yet, does man's authority really belong to man? Does man own the authority with which to execute criminals? Jesus Himself said in John 19:11, while talking to Pilate before His crucifixion, “Thou couldest have no powe...
The Old Testament law is seen as irrelevant by most modern Christians today. Christians are now under the blood of Jesus Christ which is said to abrogate the Law. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another's burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” The law of Christ is to love God and your neighbor as yourself. This does not mean, however, that the Old Testament Law does not apply to Christians today. Author J. Daniel Hays expounds on this topic in his article, “Applying the Old Testament Law Today,” and focuses on the hermeneutical approach of Principlism. This approach allows the Old Testament Law to be viewed in light of the New Testament.
He also warned about the consequences of sin and the judgement of men if they do forgive. An example of this can be found in the parable of the unforgiving servant, (Matthew 18:21-35). The forgiven servant who did not show mercy to another, received judgement. The ability to forgive also releases one from judgement. In the scripture, Luke 6:37-38, it reads, “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap; for the measure you give will be the measure you get back” (The New Oxford Annotated Bible, 2010, p. 1841). For all of these reasons, Jesus has taught his followers to be merciful, without judgment. Forgive others, in turn, you will be forgiven in the
What Jesus meant by this is the subject of vigorous debate. However, what is obvious is that many laws changed under the New Covenant; Christians were freed from many of the ancient Jewish laws on circumcision, Sabbath-observance and temple sacrifices. So it is not a question of whether the Talmudic laws were changed or dropped; the only question is how many were. If some Christians maintain that at least the civil and criminal laws of the Talmud are still valid in their entirety, then we should expect that they actually subscribe to all of them. This would include the commandment requiring two or three eye-witnesses for a capital conviction, and the initiation of the death penalty in all the above instances. Needless to say, no Christian would ever agree to such a legal code.
And again, “Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus. . . since by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.” Gal. 2:16.
Jesus however, has much different beliefs. He believes there is a certain way to live in order to achieve the greater things in the after life. For doing the right thing for god is the way we all need to live. At times in the story “Sermon on the mount,” it can sound very radical. Saying things such as "Whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery," and "If you say, 'You fool, ' you will be liable to the hell of
" Additionally, it is important to understand Luther’s distinction between the Law and the Gospel in order to further explore Luther’s understanding of human freedom. The Law is God’s commandment; it allows humans to coexist, limits chaos and condemns sinfulness, though it is not God’s road to salvation.... ... middle of paper ... ...
In today’s world there are many rules and laws. There are laws against smoking in public places, there are laws against playing ball hockey on the street, and there are even laws about standing in front of a store or an establishment for too long. These laws are severely enforced. Breaking any of these laws can result in fines of up to $2000. Said laws have not been around nearly as long as the Golden Rule has, but in today’s society they seem to be more important than the number one rule most religions believe in. “Do to others as you would have them do unto you” is a well-known rule that was left on earth to assist people of every religion on their path to paradise (Luke 6:31- 10:27). Unfortunately, not many
Unfortunately for Christians, there is actually very little law in the Bible -- either Old Testament or New -- that is original. Consider the Torah of the ancient Jews. The laws of the Babylonians, Assyrians, Sumerians, Hammurapi, Eshnunna, Hittites, Mishnah, and Israelites all bear a striking resemblance to each other, due to widespread copying of laws. Shared social norms produced identical laws against sorcery, kidnapping, sale of an abducted person, false witness, business dishonesty, bribing judges, property right violations, shutting off irrigation canals used by others, etc. The complete list of identical laws and customs is quite extensive. & nbsp; Nor is the New Testament's approach to the law unique.