Sanity Check Posted Tuesday at 11:35 AM (edited) Quote You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. -Matthew 5:38-40 This verse needs to be covered more in 2025. The context here is being held at gunpoint by a thief intending to steal ones possessions. Jesus advises not to resist under circumstances where many might lose their lives by refusing to hand their possessions over. It is not and never was intended to endorse pacifism as is seen here: Quote He (Jesus) said to them, “But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. -Luke 22:36 Edited Tuesday at 11:35 AM by Sanity Check 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apech Posted Tuesday at 11:48 AM I’m no bible scholar and would like to know what this means. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Surya Posted Tuesday at 12:13 PM (edited) I see it as this: think of Hercules vs. Hydra, right. If you cut one of the necks of, another one grows out. You kill the Sith Lord, the apprentice takes over. You need to hit it in the heart. Love conquers all. That said, Christ came with a sword after all. If you see evil being permitted against yourself or someone else, and it is in your power to stop it, stop it. But we need to be careful not to become the evil we try to overcome. Edited Tuesday at 12:14 PM by Surya Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 11 hours ago (edited) On 10/14/2025 at 10:48 PM, Apech said: I’m no bible scholar and would like to know what this means. The quote from Mathew is about when you can not fight back with anything but your ability to stay centered and say ' Is that all you got ? No matter what you do , my spirit still stands strong' . * The quote from Luke is about when you can fight back and cause change . Life is varied .... and sometimes we need to 'adapt our philosophy' according to circumstances . * Husayn Ali was banished and imprisoned for his beliefs . But he took the ' Matthew approach and that caused people to become curious, admire and eventually follow him . So the authorities would send him somewhere else ; the same would happen there . Even in jails , they would have to move him as the guards started to be effected by him . Eventually he became the leader and founder / prophet of a new world religion .... the Bahai's . https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baháʼu'lláh# Previous to this their forerunners , the Babi's took the 'Luke approach ' ... they were crushed by the Muslim forces . . Edited 11 hours ago by Nungali 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted 6 hours ago "Turn the other cheek", is in response to a light slap. Not a closed fist or hard open palm strike that could inflict injury. Its framed as a light slap attempting to provoke a hostile response. The modern day version might be someone flipping you off with their middle finger. Christians are not supposed to give in to that temptation. "Do not resist an evil man" Is basically the story of Lot. If a mob of rapists, child molestors and murderers shows up on your doorstep you should not resist them. Or they might kill you. There are some who will resist a thief holding a gun on them. Who will unfortunately be killed rather than hand over their wallet. "Do not resist an evil man" means in some cases its better to hand over your wallet to a thief pointing a gun at you, then to be shot. For cases where self defense or resistance is possible there is the sword. But the sword should not be the 1st option, as those who live by the sword, die by the sword. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
old3bob Posted 5 hours ago Gandhi mitigated and at times stopped a great deal of violence in India between warring forces way back when, yet he also said (to paraphrase) that if it comes down to it at some point (like a last resort) then one may very well have to fight or be counted as a coward. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted 4 hours ago 1 hour ago, Sanity Check said: "Turn the other cheek", is in response to a light slap. Not a closed fist or hard open palm strike that could inflict injury. Its framed as a light slap attempting to provoke a hostile response. The modern day version might be someone flipping you off with their middle finger. Christians are not supposed to give in to that temptation. "Do not resist an evil man" Is basically the story of Lot. If a mob of rapists, child molestors and murderers shows up on your doorstep you should not resist them. Or they might kill you. What a 'curious' take on that story of Lot . Can you outline what Lot did to placate that 'mob' ? 1 hour ago, Sanity Check said: There are some who will resist a thief holding a gun on them. Who will unfortunately be killed rather than hand over their wallet. "Do not resist an evil man" means in some cases its better to hand over your wallet to a thief pointing a gun at you, then to be shot. For cases where self defense or resistance is possible there is the sword. But the sword should not be the 1st option, as those who live by the sword, die by the sword. That always makes me think of 'Sword of Doom ' - what a nasty fellow ! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sword_of_Doom#Plot Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sanity Check Posted 4 hours ago 8 minutes ago, Nungali said: What a 'curious' take on that story of Lot . Can you outline what Lot did to placate that 'mob' ? He offered his virgin daughters to placate the mob. But they wanted Lot's guests. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lairg Posted 4 hours ago 25 minutes ago, Sanity Check said: He offered his virgin daughters to placate the mob. But they wanted Lot's guests. That is a very interesting text. I note that the angels needed food and were willing to have accommodation rather than sleep in the street. And the angels were very attractive to local males angel, messenger. From aggello (probably derived from ago; compare agele) (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an "angel"; by implication, a pastor -- angel, messenger. https://biblehub.com/greek/32.htm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites