Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

How Jesus responded to violence and injustice
Christian Post ^ | 06/03/2020 | Jim Denison

Posted on 06/03/2020 9:37:48 AM PDT by SeekAndFind

“They did this for no reason. It’s not going to bring George back here. George is in a better place than we are. Last night, I’m going to be honest, I wished I was where George was. ... These people are tearing up our livelihood.”

This is how Stephanie Wilford, a disabled African American woman who lives in south Minneapolis, responded to the recent destruction in her community. She obviously had nothing to do with the tragic death of George Floyd, but she has become a victim of those who are perpetrating violence in response to it.

A woman threw a Molotov cocktail into an NYPD car with four police officers inside Saturday. The bottle shattered two of the vehicle’s windows, but the gas inside did not ignite because toilet paper was used instead of a rag.

At least 60 Secret Service officers and special agents sustained multiple injuries in three days of violent clashes near the White House. The Lincoln Memorial and National Mall World War II Memorial are among the sites defaced with graffiti. Four police officers were shot early this morning in St. Louis and were taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The ongoing violence has forced store closings around the country.

In response, President Trump said late yesterday that he is taking “immediate action” to mobilize “all available federal resources” to stop looting and riots across the country.

“The people are left with NO CHOICE”

David French recently quoted New York Times author Michelle Goldberg, who noted that 2020 started off like 1974 (an impeachment crisis), quickly became 1918 (a pandemic), turned into 1929 (an economic crash), and is now 1968 (massive urban unrest). We could add 1992 and the images of Los Angeles burning after four police officers were acquitted in the beating of Rodney King.

According to U.S. historian John Baick, “What’s fundamentally common for all of these things in our history is a lack of agreement of what reality is—a lack of agreement about facts, about causes. When we can’t agree on basic truth, we reach our greatest periods of divide.”

Here’s the reality upon which many are not agreeing today: violence is the wrong response to violence.

Rapper Cardi B tweeted: “They looting in Minnesota and as much as I don’t like this type of violence it is what it is. Too much peaceful marches, too much trending hashtags and NO SOLUTIONS! The people are left with NO CHOICE.”

Slate columnist Steven W. Thrasher claimed: “Property destruction for social change is as American as the Boston Tea Party and the Stonewall Riots.” (I plan to discuss the Boston Tea Party analogy in tomorrow’s Daily Article.)

By contrast, Atlanta’s African American mayor, Keisha Lance Bottoms, denounced vandalism in her city: “What I see happening on the streets of Atlanta is not Atlanta. This is not a protest. This is not in the spirit of Martin Luther King, Jr. This is chaos.” She added: “If you want change in America, go and register to vote. That is the change we need in this country.”

Which view more accurately reflects reality?

Does violence effect positive change?

Dr. King: “Let me say as I’ve always said, and I will always continue to say, that riots are socially destructive and self-defeating. I’m still convinced that nonviolence is the most potent weapon available to oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and justice. I feel that violence will only create more social problems than [it] will solve.”

Omar Wasow is a professor of politics at Princeton who studies protest movements and their effects on politics and elections. In a recent New Yorker interview, he cited “a lot of evidence that nonviolent tactics can be effective” in garnering support and sympathy for a cause. However, when a protest movement turns violent, this “ends up undermining the interests of the advocates” by shifting public sympathy from their cause to their victims.

We’re already seeing this shift.

Americans were overwhelmingly united in collective outrage over George Floyd’s death. Many welcomed peaceful demonstrations calling for change. But the narrative is now less about such a movement and more about lawless violence that dishonors his name.

In the words of George Floyd’s brother, “If his own family and blood are trying to deal with it and be positive with it, and go another route to seek justice, then why are you out here tearing up your community?”

Courteney Ross, George Floyd’s girlfriend of three years, said, “Waking up this morning to see Minneapolis on fire would be something that would devastate Floyd.” She wants everyone who took to the streets “to know that I understand their frustration. . . . I want people to protest in a peaceful way.”

Two mutually dependent life principles

This week, we’re exploring Jesus’ teachings in the context of this crisis. What did our Lord teach about responding to violence? Consider two principles, each of which depends on the other.

One: Refuse to return violence for violence. When Peter attacked the servant of the high priest in defending Jesus, our Lord told him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword” (Matthew 26:52). He wanted us to break the cycle of vengeance, not perpetuate it.

Two: Seek justice. Jesus described a woman who continued to seek “justice against my adversary” from the court (Luke 18:3). The Bible affirms our responsibility for self-defense (cf. Exodus 22:2–3; Proverbs 25:26; Psalm 144:1). When the proper authority prosecutes crime, it “carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer” (Romans 13:4).

Just as it is illogical to blame all police officers for the actions of some, it is illogical to blame peaceful protesters for the violence of some. But it is also illogical to honor the memory of one victim by victimizing others.

Conversely, it is logical to treat others as we wish to be treated. Just as people tend to return violence for violence and hate for hate, they tend to return grace for grace and love for love.

What’s more, this ethic is the command of our Lord (Matthew 7:12) for all people, at all times, in all places.

Including you and me today.


This piece was originally published at the Denison Forum

Adapted from Dr. Jim Denison’s daily cultural commentary at www.denisonforum.org. Jim Denison, Ph.D., is a cultural apologist, building a bridge between faith and culture by engaging contemporary issues with biblical truth. He founded the Denison Forum on Truth and Culture in February 2009 and is the author of seven books, including “Radical Islam: What You Need to Know.” For more information on the Denison Forum, visit www.denisonforum.org.


TOPICS: Moral Issues; Religion & Culture; Religion & Politics; Theology
KEYWORDS: injustice; jesus; violence

1 posted on 06/03/2020 9:37:48 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Now about that cleansing of the Temple Jesus did …..


2 posted on 06/03/2020 9:43:29 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind
Rapper Cardi B tweeted: “They looting in Minnesota and as much as I don’t like this type of violence it is what it is. Too much peaceful marches, too much trending hashtags and NO SOLUTIONS! The people are left with NO CHOICE.”

Yo, Rapper Cardi B (if that's your REAL name), it's not that they have no choice, it's that they have chosen poorly.

Haven't you noticed that all these police brutality cases have taken place in cities run by demonicRATS? In states run by demonicRATS. And the cops involved are protected by the Police Unions that endorse those demonicRATS.

Also, use some of your wealth to get an education. It should be "They are looting", not "They looting".

3 posted on 06/03/2020 9:45:10 AM PDT by Texas Eagle (If it wasn't for double-standards, Liberals would have no standards at all -- Texas Eagle)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

PS and also, if attacked I will defend myself.


4 posted on 06/03/2020 9:46:05 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

I’ve used that before. Remember, “what would Jesus do” includes making a whip, beating people, and overturning tables.


5 posted on 06/03/2020 9:49:54 AM PDT by T. P. Pole
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: T. P. Pole

And that thing about selling your robe to buy a sword.Luke 22:36


6 posted on 06/03/2020 9:51:55 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

What a pantload of gobbledegook, and just what a Phd would come up with.

Do I get to defend myself? In doing so, I can ensure my family’s well-being. I cannot ensure their well-being if I am dead or injured. So this dope would have me eschew defending myself?

No thanks.


7 posted on 06/03/2020 9:54:48 AM PDT by bkopto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Jesus: “If you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.” (Luke 22:36)


8 posted on 06/03/2020 10:00:20 AM PDT by kaehurowing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

And this: https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/04/the_pharisaical_spirit.html


9 posted on 06/03/2020 10:03:25 AM PDT by Lakeshark (Trump. He stands for the great issues of the day. Stay the course!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

Yes, but if I remember, he suggests a limit of one or two swords. That could explain why the disciples took so many boating trips. I recall a boat accident or two.


10 posted on 06/03/2020 10:04:27 AM PDT by T. P. Pole
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

The fact is nobody actually gives a sh*t about “George.” He has become a convenient symbol and latest excuse for rioting, looting and claiming you’re being oppressed by The White Man.

Notice how quickly they dropped The Jogger narrative? That’s because it became clear pretty quickly he was in fact casing out houses to burglarize and was not just an innocent jogger.


11 posted on 06/03/2020 10:06:24 AM PDT by kaehurowing
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

You mean where the Pharisees were taking advantage of people coming to worship by selling them sacrificial lambs and the like at exorbitant prices.

Yeah, that’s exactly the same. Read your Bible or quit using it in arguments.


12 posted on 06/03/2020 10:08:04 AM PDT by Quality_Not_Quantity (This space vacant until further notice in compliance with social distancing 'guidelines')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Quality_Not_Quantity

So the whipping and table tossing were just mere “oopsies” as He walked through the Temple. Got it. Thanks for pointing that out. I am truly humbled.


13 posted on 06/03/2020 10:10:44 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: T. P. Pole

Read that part too but can one robe buy two swords and did they wear anything under those robes? Heavens.


14 posted on 06/03/2020 10:11:50 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

His judgements soon coming upon this world will not be pleasant


15 posted on 06/03/2020 10:12:50 AM PDT by wolfman
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Those who somehow equate Christ’s cleansing of the Temple with rioting, violence or whatever are basterdizing Holy Writ. Remember where Christ was when he “cleansed” the Temple. He wasn’t running through the streets destroying property of others...he wasn’t looting shops in the market...and he wasn’t burning down houses or shops. What was he doing? He was defending his own house. That’s a big difference. A huge difference. What did Jesus do and say? Well for one...he did not use the whip on people. He used the whip on the sheep and cattle. In John 2 it says....starting in verse 14... And he found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: and he made a scourge of cords, and cast all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; (not people) and he poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew their tables;...So he used the whip on animals, not people. He did overturn the money changers’ tables and poured out their coins...but he did not attack people. And as to his right to do so... it was his house. Verse 16 says...and to them that sold the doves he said, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house a house of merchandise. Since Christ was both Father and Son...it was his house. So when you encounter those who try to use this as justification for the rioting, looting and destruction...remind them that Christ was just defending his house...his father’s house. These two are not the same. There is no comparison.

And as to the argument that Jesus told his disciples to sell a cloak and buy a sword...taken in context...Jesus was telling them to arm themselves for self defense. They were going out on the road with a money. They were doing ministry work and the sword(s) were for protection. Not aggression.

Anyway...


16 posted on 06/03/2020 11:06:34 AM PDT by yukong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SkyDancer

Not quite sure how to take your reply, but if I got a bit snarky in my earlier reply (and I think I did), I apologize.


17 posted on 06/03/2020 11:37:50 AM PDT by Quality_Not_Quantity (This space vacant until further notice in compliance with social distancing 'guidelines')
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Quality_Not_Quantity

No worries. :) So did I.


18 posted on 06/03/2020 11:51:46 AM PDT by SkyDancer (~ Just Consider Me A Random Fact Generator ~ Eat Sleep Fly Repeat ~)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: SeekAndFind

Bookmark


19 posted on 06/03/2020 2:52:46 PM PDT by Mase (Save me from the people who would save me from myself!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson