Why did Jesus command his disciples to love their enemies?
- Thread starter Matthias
- Start date
-
Welcome to Christian Forums, a Christian Forum that recognizes that all Christians are a work in progress.
You will need to register to be able to join in fellowship with Christians all over the world.
We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!
Lambano
Well-Known Member
- Jul 13, 2021
- 10,330
- 13,042
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
Lambano
Well-Known Member
- Jul 13, 2021
- 10,330
- 13,042
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
The stated reason seems to be that when we love our enemies, when we do good for those who hate us and would do us harm, we are reflecting God's own character.
But is that true? Or is the truth more nuanced?
But is that true? Or is the truth more nuanced?
Last edited:
Lambano
Well-Known Member
- Jul 13, 2021
- 10,330
- 13,042
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
You knew, of course, that someone who has stated on the record "Jesus lied" is going to bring this up.
Last edited:
I hope he‘ll be along. Who more needs to hear and understand this than a man, any man, who believes in his heart “Jesus lied”?
RLT63
Well-Known Member
In general, he believes Jesus routinely practiced deception as a technique for conducting spiritual warfare.
A specific example he has identified is the incident involving Jairus’ daughter. I’m sure he would provide you with many other examples if you asked him nicely.
RLT63
Well-Known Member
So Jesus said she was sleeping. There are other scripture verses that say the dead are sleeping.
ScottA
Well-Known Member
Bob
Well-Known Member
In Genesis 1, it states that God made us in His own image. Thus, He made us a reflection of Him (albeit an imperfect one).
Corollaries:
1. Since God loves us, we are called to love Him.
2. Since God loves all people (even the ones who reject Him), we are called to love all people, even our enemies.
Note: God does not intend this to be a suicide pact, or naively enter a den of thieves.
Instead, we are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, etc. even if they despise us (and yes, be cautious if necessary). We are called to do no intentional harm, which could mean avoiding the violent In person.
Blessings.
Corollaries:
1. Since God loves us, we are called to love Him.
2. Since God loves all people (even the ones who reject Him), we are called to love all people, even our enemies.
Note: God does not intend this to be a suicide pact, or naively enter a den of thieves.
Instead, we are to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, etc. even if they despise us (and yes, be cautious if necessary). We are called to do no intentional harm, which could mean avoiding the violent In person.
Blessings.
Lambano
Well-Known Member
- Jul 13, 2021
- 10,330
- 13,042
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
The Medium newsfeed I get at work (ostensibly for articles about Artificial Intelligence, which my company is active in) occasionally sends me articles written by a woman who is autistic, or as she calls it, "neuro-divergent". People on the autism spectrum often have problems with non-literal language. As a grandfather of a young man who was diagnosed long ago with Asperger's Syndrome, I have an interest in the subject. Here's a brief summary:
Non‑Literal Language and Autism
Many individuals on the autism spectrum do have difficulty with non‑literal language, such as idioms, metaphors, sarcasm, and other figurative expressions. This is often linked to a literal thinking style, where words are interpreted exactly as they are written or spoken, without automatically inferring the intended figurative meaning.Why This Happens
- Concrete thinking: Autistic brains often focus on literal, concrete details and may struggle to interpret abstract or implied meanings.
- Pragmatic language challenges: Even if vocabulary and grammar are strong, the “social operating system” of language — understanding tone, context, and implied meaning — can be less developed.
- Processing differences: Brain imaging shows reduced connectivity between language and social context areas, making it harder to integrate figurative meaning with literal words
Examples of Difficulty
- Misunderstanding “It’s raining cats and dogs” as a literal event.
- Taking “Break a leg” as a literal request to break a leg.
- Not recognizing sarcasm or irony, such as saying “Oh, great” in a negative tone.
- Misinterpreting rhetorical questions or understatement as literal statements.
I would be willing to cut someone some slack if they had a neurological reason for not engaging Jesus's non-literal language such as metaphors and parables. I would be less tolerant of disinterest or laziness.
Whatever the question might be, the right answer* is never “Jesus lied.”
* My Southern Baptist Sunday School teacher used to tell the children in his care, “Jesus is the answer to every question (or sometimes, problem) in life.”
Lambano
Well-Known Member
- Jul 13, 2021
- 10,330
- 13,042
- 113
- Faith
- Christian
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Male
The story* goes like this: It was Children's Time in the service, and the pastor was giving the kids an object lesson. He held up a picture of a squirrel and asked, "Does anyone know what this is?" One little boy held up his hand. "Okay, Johnnie, what is this?" Johnnie replied, "Preacher, I know the answer is always 'Jesus', but that sure looks like a squirrel to me."
* The last time I told that story, somebody jumped all over me for not taking Jesus seriously enough.
Enemies do things to us that can make us angry. Anger can turn into hatred and violence, which can make things worse.
It is natural to want to hurt those who hurt us.
But we are called to be supernatural, going beyond the natural response.
So we are to show kindness to our enemies and perhaps that compassion will transform enemies into allies.
It is natural to want to hurt those who hurt us.
But we are called to be supernatural, going beyond the natural response.
So we are to show kindness to our enemies and perhaps that compassion will transform enemies into allies.
Killing isn’t an evangelism tool. The Great Commission is to make disciples, not corpses.
In another thread we were discussing David as a role model for Christians. David wasn’t commissioned to make disciples. He was commissioned to reign as a king, to be the head of the government of ancient Israel. The function of government is to use the sword, as needed, to protect its citizens.
That raises a question: When are the followers of Jesus - a nation of kings and priests - going to have the role that David had?
In another thread we were discussing David as a role model for Christians. David wasn’t commissioned to make disciples. He was commissioned to reign as a king, to be the head of the government of ancient Israel. The function of government is to use the sword, as needed, to protect its citizens.
That raises a question: When are the followers of Jesus - a nation of kings and priests - going to have the role that David had?
Bob
Well-Known Member
St. Augustine of Hippo (late 3rd & early 4th century AD) wrote the following:
“A great deal depends on the causes for which men undertake wars, and on the authority they have for doing so; for the natural order which seeks the peace of mankind, ordains that the monarch should have the power of undertaking war if he thinks it advisable, and that the soldiers should perform their military duties in behalf of the peace and safety of the community. When war is undertaken in obedience to God, who would rebuke, or humble, or crush the pride of man, it must be allowed to be righteous war; for even the wars which arise from human passion cannot harm the eternal well-being of God, nor even the saints.” Augustine, Reply to Faustus the Manichaean XXII. 75. NPNF 4, p. 301.
Also, Augustine advised Christian soldiers to recognize that the strength they use in battle is a gift from God. It cannot be used against Him and must be used to preserve peace and justice amid the earthly city, a city marked by sin, troubles, and injustice that, at times, require a military response. (Discussed in his work “The City of God.”)
Hope this at least partially answers your question.
Thanks. What you’ve provided is an important historical (post-biblical) contribution to the discussion.
Your dates for Augustine are too early. He was born in the middle of the 4th century and died early in the 5th century.
His perspective on Christian participation in military service represents a shift in the thinking of the Church; a move away from its earlier pacifism.
With Augustine we have the beginning of the Just War theory, which was later more fully developed by other theologians. It is accepted by most modern-day Christians.
What I have in mind is the second coming of Jesus, when he will sit on his father David’s throne in Jerusalem. At that time, the kingdoms / nations of the world will become the kingdom of God; he and those who belong to him, the resurrected (and the instantly changed) saints, will reign with him for a thousand years on the earth. It is then that Jesus and the saints will be responsible for maintaining order.
What I’ve described you'll recognize as premillennialism (chiliasm). Augustine eventually came to reject it, calling it “carnal” and “too literal”; switching from his earlier belief in premillennialism to amillennialism.
Similar threads
