Hi folks,
I'm well again and looking forward to our discussion tomorrow. It should be a good one!
Borg Chapter 10 - Christians are called to peace and nonviolence
1. Pg. 192 – Borg says early Christians were pacifists. Jesus advocated nonviolent resistance. In Matthew 5:39 – the verse should read “do not use violence to resist an evildoer.”
a. This was at a time when many in Israel were calling for violent revolt against Rome.
b. Jesus preached nonviolence as a third option to violent revolt and collaboration.
2. Borg says that when Christianity became the official religion, another stance developed – the “just war” idea. This was promulgated by St. Augustine.
a. A just war was fought in self-defense and as a last resort.
b. When fighting a war, we should act as humanely as possible. Don’t deliberately hurt civilians.
3. With the Crusades, we got into the “Holy War” idea. In this stance, war is seen as a fight between good and evil.
a. God is on our side
b. Our enemy is also God’s enemy.
c. Therefore – anything goes. Complete destruction of the enemy is justified.
4. Conventional – sometimes we have to go to war and our country is right.
a. European wars are between Christians.
b. Sometimes we have to start a war – Iraq - see pg. 200
5. Pg. 201… the Bible and violence
a. You shall not kill (murder). But the death penalty is commanded for some offenses.
b. Borg says death penalty is different from war because it is specific.
c. But Jesus repudiated violence.
6. Did Jesus use violence?
a. Matt 10:34 – I have not come to bring peace, but a sword - but it is the sword of division in the household.
b. Luke 22:35-36 “look here are 2 swords. It is enough.” – not to be taken literally – but as a metaphor for preparing for violence against them. See Matt 26:51-52 where Jesus heals the ear of the Roman and says if you live by the sword, you will die by the sword.
c. The money changers - this is violence against property not people. A symbolic action.
7. Objections to nonviolence
a. What if you see someone being attacked?
b. Nonviolence as a response to huge evil is ineffective. But Borg says suppose the Christians in Germany had opposed Hitler at the beginning?
8. So under what circumstances should we support war???
Lembi
Hi all,Here are my thoughts for tomorrow.
Borg Chapter 9 – God Is Passionate About Justice and the Poor
In this chapter, Borg uses the book of Amos is a succinct and very direct illustration of God’s concern for justice and the poor. Amos spoke sometime around 786-746 BCE while King Jeroboam II reigned in Israel. This was a time period when the ruling class greatly increased its wealth and the rest of the population kept getting poorer.
Amos indicts the ruling class in a powerful series of speeches.
1. Pg. 174 – the ruling classes are still worshipping God. They have not turned to foreign gods. They are not doing anything “wrong” in terms of worship. But Amos says their worship is unacceptable. That what God wants is “justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”
a. How does this apply to us today??
2. Amos warns of punishment – not hell. He uses the picture of being taken away with hooks – saying God will not save you from the consequences of your actions.3. Pg. 176 …. Amos indicts several kingdoms around Israel and then include Israel in the mix. We are quick to look down on other countries for their injustices – how quick are we to admit our own?
4. Amos is tattled on by Amaziah, but Amos keeps on indicting the ruling class. He shows courage. His point is that God wants a different kind of world here and now – a world where everyone has enough and no one makes them afraid.
a. When I listen to politicians and the news, I hear a lot of fear-mongering. And clearly many people are afraid. What is our responsibility in fighting fear?
5. Borg talks about America and the ideologies we carry that can get in our way -
a. Individualism – the self-made person
b. Charity is for individuals
c. The common good – this seems to me to be very under-represented today.
d. American exceptionalism and the belief that our country is especially blessed by God. Sounds like the Israelites!
6. Borg then refutes some of our ideas
a. Pg 184 – we are the greatest country in the world
b. We’re number one.
c. We are the most generous
d. We are basically good the never do anything really wrong.
e. God bless America – said more as a demand than a prayer.
7. Borg ends by saying “We need Amos”. Do you agree? If so, would an Amos have any better luck today than he did 2700 years ago???
See you in the morning.
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Hello hearts,Well I'm late again! Sorry.
Borg – Ch. 8 The Bible is Political
Borg says the Bible is politically subversive! Have you ever thought of the Bible as a handbook for radicals?
Pg. 150 – Separation of church and state.
Borg cites the verses usually used to support this and gives alternative explanations.
Mark 12:17 – render unto Caesar… Pg 164 – everything belongs to God
John 18:36 – my kingdom… pg. 164 – is grounded in God
Romans 3:1 – the powers that be are ordained – Pg. 165 do not resist violently.
What are your thoughts about his explanations?
Pg. 153 – Ancient domination system features
1. Ruled by a few
2. Economic exploitation
3. Chronic violence
4. Legitimized by religion
Does this really sound ancient?? Or modern???
Borg says the Bible from beginning to end is a protest against this system.
OLD TESTAMENT
Radical economic principles
1. Every family has land
2. Cannot buy or sell land
3. Take on debt only in dire circumstances
4. No interest on debt
5. Sabbath year forgives debts
6. Jubilee year restores land.
This system assured there would be no permanent underclass. But by 1000BCE, Israel wanted monarchs. Look at the quote from Samuel on pg 158. He talks about what would inevitably follow. I wonder what would have happened if the people had listened to Samuel.
NEW TESTAMENT
Roman rule prevailed. Paul keeps saying Jesus is Lord. Which means Caesar is not. I never thought of that statement in a political light before. Have you?
Borg says politics matters in more than how we vote. So what is our responsibility?
Lembi Saarmann, RN, EdD
Professor Emerita
School of Nursing
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4158
Cell: 619-987-1604
Email: Lsaarman@mail.sdsu.edu
Professor Emerita
School of Nursing
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego, CA 92182-4158
Cell: 619-987-1604
Email: Lsaarman@mail.sdsu.edu
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