Q.

How do we reconcile the Old Testament command for vengeance?

62

Q

Scriptural References

Exodus 21:12–26; Leviticus 24:10–23; Matthew 5:3–10, 17–48; 22:37–40, 51;

Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6; Romans 5:10, 11; 12

Suggested Additional Sources for Reading

• Dave Andrews, Plan Be (published by the author).


• Gregory Boyd, The Myth of the Christian Religion: Losing your Religion for
  the Beauty of a Revolution (Zondervan, 2009).


• Lee C. Camp, Mere Discipleship: Radical Christianity in a Rebellious World
  (Brazos, 2008).


• Becky Garrison, Red and Blue God, Black and Blue Church (Jossey-Bass,
  2006).


• Kirk Johnson, “Colorado Court Bars Execution Because Jurors Consulted
  Bible,” The New York Times, March 29, 2005: http://www.nytimes.com/
  2005/03/29/national/29bible.html.


• Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love (Fortress Press, 2010).


• Stephen Prothero, Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know—
  and Doesn’t (HarperOne, 2008).


• Stephen Prothero’s Web site: http://www.stephenprothero.com.


• Desmond Tutu, No Future without Forgiveness (Image, 2000).


• Miroslav Volf, Exclusion and Embrace (Abingdon Press, 1996).


• N. T. Wright, Evil and the Justice of God (InterVarsity Press, 2009).

Suggested Questions for Further Discussion/Thought

1. What are some of the problems with living out Jesus’ “turn the other
   cheek” ethic?


2. Is killing another human being acceptable for Christians under certain
   circumstances, or should Christians oppose the death penalty?


3. How is Jesus’ summation of the law—”Loving God, loving others as
   ourselves”—harder than the Old Testament laws?


4. What does it mean that we are called to love as God has loved us?


5. Have you had people ask you why a Jesus who dies for his enemies isn’t
   taught in church?

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