Sure, why not? I wonder what would happen if we took that and similar teachings of Jesus absolutely seriously and lived it radically. In some cases I'm not sure I can even picture what it ought to look like. How do you love someone who is trying to blow you up? I don't mean how do you get your heart to love them...I mean, how do you actually show love to such a person?
Though I think many non-Christians and possibly new Christians will be confused by it, I think the artist is right on track.
Many of our fellow brothers have been eaten up in hatred of this man. I believe Jesus taught us this not only because hate is a sin, but because the lives of the "haters" are diminished and inefective in the mission.
A healthy reminder, methinks...
Good idea!
An enemy is someone you are in conflict with, who may even persecute you, slap you on the left cheek, someone in power who may even confiscate your house or in very extreme cases, execute you unfairly or in ignorance (Father forgive them for they DONT know what they are doing).
But for a mass murder or a serial killer who callously plans the indiscriminate death of thousands men, women or children, a Sadaam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden or Staiin enemy is too small a word. These are senseless, callous, murderers.
Forgiveness and love in the face of capital crimes against the state and acts of war are not specifically addressed by Jesus; therefore, in the hearts of the individual this is what is expected of us by God.
However, that does not exempt this man from the consequences of his actions before the state. 1 Peter 2:13-14 "Submit yourselves ... to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right."
But honestly it just pisses me off, to see this man depicted my scripture across his head and a stupid grin on his face.
I agree that the picture is a timely reminder of one of the most difficult teachings of Jesus.
I also agree that if someone is running loose planning mass murders and such, loving my enemy does not mean standing by and allowing him to do so again and again. That makes no more sense than loving my own nephew by allowing him to run in front of a speeding car if that's what he wants to do. We might even be justified in killing the man planning mass murder, if that is the most reliable means of stopping him. But, if we kill him, it remains a sin to hate him. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. If we catch him alive, we can't torture him just to communicate our anger. We might not let him go, but the really Christian thing to do would be to go visit him in prison and tell him "I forgive you," as the brother of one of Karla Faye Tucker's victims did. Who knows, Osama might, after enough years of such treatment, turn out like Karla Faye. I might still not let him go, but he could serve a useful purpose in prison for the rest of his life. Or I might let him go. But for now, if there is a chance to kill him, it might be justified.
Shock treatment for some and a realization for others that no matter what you do there is good and evil in this world. What you have to do is decide which one you want to embrace. God gave us the choice to do as he says or to do whatever we want to. I for me and my family choose God and the good we can do for others. Revenge is not mine but the Lords and I'm sure he (Osama) will get what he deserves when the time comes. Remember that old saying that you may be surprized to see some people you thought would never get to heaven and they may be surprized that you are there also. Love God and one another as he commanded. In God's Grace John
Kyle, what you said.
Two thoughts. First, the context. Jesus was correcting a rabbinical midrash that distorted the Scripture: "You have heard that is was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." His words in response in Matthew 5:44 (quoted on the turban) were to show the truly righteous "kingdom of heaven" (5:20) response to evil. The entire section of vss. 20-48 is contrasting the man-centered, law-based righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, with the spirit-centered, love-based righteousness that will define the promised kingdom, and will soon change hearts. But it is an ideal toward which we move in the Spirit, one that requires an internal change and not external laws. Jesus was not creating a moral law that must be rigidly kept to please God, any more than he was saying that God expects us to cut off our hand or pluck out our eye (vss. 29-30). So, first, it is not moral law; it is a kingdom ideal and principle.
Second, Kyle is right. The response Jesus was addressing is individual, not statist. It's about the heart. It's about allowing the law of love to reign in our hearts, not hatred. If I hate even a little, I cannot really love as Christ loves. However, loving an enemy does not mean protecting him from judgment that is due. In the case of OBL, I can love him in my own heart, and yet still pray that justice will be swift and powerful, and that he will be captured and punished. If I were his judge, I would condemn him to death with no hate, and with love that would want him to repent and come to Jesus as his Savior. So, second, Jesus was not addressing the attitude of the state toward evil.
Last thought, I'm not offended, but I think the drawing is flawed as a piece of art. The Scripture should not be on the turban of OBL, which makes it seem like a mocking statement associated with OBL's thinking. It should be in the heart of a Christian standing before OBL who is pointing a gun at him or her, and whose turban reads "hate your enemy." That is what Jesus was saying. The "pictorial admonishment" doesn't work for me.
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Many of our fellow brothers have been eaten up in hatred of this man. I believe Jesus taught us this not only because hate is a sin, but because the lives of the "haters" are diminished and inefective in the mission.
But for a mass murder or a serial killer who callously plans the indiscriminate death of thousands men, women or children, a Sadaam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden or Staiin enemy is too small a word. These are senseless, callous, murderers.
However, that does not exempt this man from the consequences of his actions before the state. 1 Peter 2:13-14 "Submit yourselves ... to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right."
But honestly it just pisses me off, to see this man depicted my scripture across his head and a stupid grin on his face.
I also agree that if someone is running loose planning mass murders and such, loving my enemy does not mean standing by and allowing him to do so again and again. That makes no more sense than loving my own nephew by allowing him to run in front of a speeding car if that's what he wants to do. We might even be justified in killing the man planning mass murder, if that is the most reliable means of stopping him. But, if we kill him, it remains a sin to hate him. Vengeance is mine saith the Lord. If we catch him alive, we can't torture him just to communicate our anger. We might not let him go, but the really Christian thing to do would be to go visit him in prison and tell him "I forgive you," as the brother of one of Karla Faye Tucker's victims did. Who knows, Osama might, after enough years of such treatment, turn out like Karla Faye. I might still not let him go, but he could serve a useful purpose in prison for the rest of his life. Or I might let him go. But for now, if there is a chance to kill him, it might be justified.
Two thoughts. First, the context. Jesus was correcting a rabbinical midrash that distorted the Scripture: "You have heard that is was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." His words in response in Matthew 5:44 (quoted on the turban) were to show the truly righteous "kingdom of heaven" (5:20) response to evil. The entire section of vss. 20-48 is contrasting the man-centered, law-based righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, with the spirit-centered, love-based righteousness that will define the promised kingdom, and will soon change hearts. But it is an ideal toward which we move in the Spirit, one that requires an internal change and not external laws. Jesus was not creating a moral law that must be rigidly kept to please God, any more than he was saying that God expects us to cut off our hand or pluck out our eye (vss. 29-30). So, first, it is not moral law; it is a kingdom ideal and principle.
Second, Kyle is right. The response Jesus was addressing is individual, not statist. It's about the heart. It's about allowing the law of love to reign in our hearts, not hatred. If I hate even a little, I cannot really love as Christ loves. However, loving an enemy does not mean protecting him from judgment that is due. In the case of OBL, I can love him in my own heart, and yet still pray that justice will be swift and powerful, and that he will be captured and punished. If I were his judge, I would condemn him to death with no hate, and with love that would want him to repent and come to Jesus as his Savior. So, second, Jesus was not addressing the attitude of the state toward evil.
Last thought, I'm not offended, but I think the drawing is flawed as a piece of art. The Scripture should not be on the turban of OBL, which makes it seem like a mocking statement associated with OBL's thinking. It should be in the heart of a Christian standing before OBL who is pointing a gun at him or her, and whose turban reads "hate your enemy." That is what Jesus was saying. The "pictorial admonishment" doesn't work for me.