QS — The Radical Nature of the Teachings of Jesus

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Search: Many Christians view Christ’s teachings as highly radical for his time, often up-ending (or inverting) prevailing wisdom. What examples can be cited to support this view?

Absolutely, many of Jesus’ teachings were considered radical for his time. Here are a few examples:

    1. Forgiveness of Sins: In Jewish culture, sins were typically forgiven through blood sacrifices. Jesus, however, taught that sins could be forgiven through repentance and faith. This was a radical departure from the prevailing religious practices.
    2. Love and Acceptance: Jesus taught that everyone, including those who were marginalized and outcast, deserved love and acceptance. For instance, in the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus emphasized compassion for all people, regardless of their background.
    3. The Beatitudes: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus blessed the poor, the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers (Matthew 5:3-12). These teachings inverted the social order of the time, which valued wealth, power, and strength.
    4. Non-Retaliation: Jesus taught to “turn the other cheek” and to love one’s enemies (Matthew 5:38-44). This was a stark contrast to the prevailing wisdom of “an eye for an eye” and emphasized forgiveness and non-violence.
    5. The Kingdom of God: Jesus preached about the Kingdom of God, which was a radical vision of a society based on justice, peace, and equality. This challenged the existing power structures and the Roman occupation of Judea.

These teachings often put Jesus at odds with the religious and political authorities of his time, ultimately leading to his crucifixion.

1 faithisland.org
2 www.thecollector.com

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Christ used the phrase: You have heard it said…, but I say to you… . What are some of those updated teachings?

Yes, Jesus often used the phrase “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you…” in his teachings to contrast the traditional Jewish laws with his new interpretations and deeper moral principles. Here are a few examples from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:21-48):

    1. Anger and Reconciliation:
      • Traditional Law: “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’”
      • Jesus’ Teaching: “But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.”
    2. Adultery:
      • Traditional Law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’”
      • Jesus’ Teaching: “But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
    3. Divorce:
      • Traditional Law: “It was also said, ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.’”
      • Jesus’ Teaching: “But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.”
    4. Oaths:
      • Traditional Law: “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’”
      • Jesus’ Teaching: “But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is his footstool… Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.”
    5. Retaliation:
      • Traditional Law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’”
      • Jesus’ Teaching: “But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”
    6. Love for Enemies:
      • Traditional Law: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’”
      • Jesus’ Teaching: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

These teachings show how Jesus reinterpreted existing laws to emphasize internal attitudes and intentions, rather than just external actions, presenting a more profound ethical standard.

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If Christ was crucified due to the radical nature of his teaching, how has this intolerance of radical ideas led to deaths by other notable historical figures?

Throughout history, many notable figures have faced persecution and death for their radical ideas. Here are a few examples:

    1. Socrates (469-399 BCE): The ancient Greek philosopher was sentenced to death by drinking hemlock for “corrupting the youth” and impiety.
    2. Giordano Bruno (1548-1600): An Italian philosopher and astronomer who was burned at the stake for his heretical ideas, including the concept of an infinite universe.
    3. Galileo Galilei (1564-1642): The Italian astronomer faced the Inquisition and was forced to recant his support for the heliocentric model of the universe. He spent the rest of his life under house arrest.
    4. Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677): The Dutch philosopher was excommunicated from his Jewish community and faced constant persecution for his radical ideas, including his critique of organized religion.
    5. Thomas More (1478-1535): The English statesman and philosopher was executed for refusing to accept King Henry VIII’s supremacy over the Church of England.
    6. Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821): The French military leader and emperor faced numerous assassination attempts and ultimately died in exile on the island of Saint Helena.

These examples illustrate how intolerance of radical ideas has often led to severe consequences for those who dared to challenge the status quo. It’s a reminder of the importance of intellectual freedom and the courage required to stand up for one’s beliefs.

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