23 July Bill Brewer

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1 The Sermon on the Mount 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer

2 What do these people have in common? Martin Mohandas Luther Karamchand King Gandhi Answer: Both were advocates of non-violence 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 2

3 The Six Antitheses : Matthew 5: Thesis: Do not commit murder Antithesis: Do not hate 2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery Antithesis: Do not lust 3. Thesis: Certify your divorces Antithesis: Do not divorce 4. Thesis: Keep py your vows Antithesis: Don t make vows 5. Thesis: Retaliate Antithesis: Don t retaliate 6. Thesis: Hate your enemies Antithesis: Love your enemies 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 3

4 I. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16) 1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous Living (5:3-12) 2. Salt and Light: Essence of Discipleship: (5:13-16) II. MAIN BODY OF THE SERMON (5:17-7:12) 1. Relation between Old and New Righteousness (5:17-48) a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20) b. Surpassing of the Old: Six Antitheses (5:21-48) 2. Outward/Inward Righteousness (6:1-18) a. Almsgiving (6:1-4) b. Prayer and the Lord s Prayer (6:5-15) c. Fasting (6:16-18) One Possible Outline 3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34) a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24) b. Anxiety (6:25-34) 4. Various Teachings and the Golden Rule (7:1-12) III. C CONCLUSION (7:13-27) 1. The Two Ways (7:13-14) 2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23) a. Warning concerning False Prophets (7:15-20) b. Insufficiency of the Charismata (7:21-23) 3. Parable of Two Builders (7:24-27) Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical l Commentary : Matthew Word Biblical Commentary (84). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 4

One Possible Outline I. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16) 1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous 3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34) Living (5:3-12) a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24) 2.

C CONCLUSION (7:13-27) Righteousness (5:17-48) 1. The Two Ways (7:13-14) a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20) 2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23) b. Surpassing of the Old: Six a.

5 One Possible Outline I. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16) 1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous 3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34) Living (5:3-12) a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24) 2. Salt and Light: Essence of b. Anxiety (6:25-34) Discipleship: (5:13-16) 4. Various Teachings and the Golden II. MAIN BODY OF THE SERMON (5:17-7:12) Rule (7:1-12) 1. Relation between Old and New III. C CONCLUSION (7:13-27) Righteousness (5:17-48) 1. The Two Ways (7:13-14) a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20) 2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23) b. Surpassing of the Old: Six a. Warning concerning False Antitheses (5:21-48) Prophets (7:15-20) 2. Outward/Inward Righteousness (6:1- b. Insufficiency of the Charismata 18) (7:21-23) a. Almsgiving (6:1-4) 3. Parable of Two Builders (7:24-27) b. Prayer and the Lord s Prayer Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical l Commentary : (6:5-15) c. Fasting (6:16-18) Matthew Word Biblical Commentary (84). Dallas: Word, Incorporated. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 5

6 Matthew 5:38-42 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you (NASB) 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 6

7 Some Questions How does Mt 5:38-42 Relate to the Old Testament? Relate to Judaism in NT times? Relate to the Matthean community? Apply to Chiti Christians td today? Is the underlying ethic personal or corporate? Is its a precept or procedure? Is there more than one way to understand Mt 5:38-42? 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 7

$fracture for fracture, eye for$ eye, tooth for tooth; ;just as

8 Eye for an Eye : the lex talionis (Latin, law of retribution ) Lex talionis is the law by which a person causing injury is made to experience the same injury OT references Ex 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB) Lev 24:20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; ;just as he has injured a man, so it shall be inflicted on him (NASB) Dt 19:21 Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB) 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 8

9 Eye for an Eye : the lex talionis (Latin, law of retribution ) Lex talionis is widely misrepresented as a symbol of primitive cruelty over against modern compassion It is more correctly understood as reflecting A limit on retaliation A shift in the agency of retribution from individuals to community Concern for victims The community Is accountable to God for retribution on the guilty Does not have the option of pity (Dt 19:21) 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 9

10 The Challenge of Matthew 5:38-42 A plain reading and straightforward application of the apparently radical pacifism in Mt 5:38-42 would seem to make community and personal life practically impossible Absolutizing turning the other cheek would require non-resistance to evil, not just when directed d against oneself, but also when directed against others Those possibilities have prompted numerous approaches to the Sermon that seek to soften its apparent demands 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 10

d View The Two-Realms View The Repentance View The Moderated View The Modern

11 Ways of Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount The Anabaptist (Pacifist) View The Hyperbolic View The Self-Help View The Liberation Theology View The Double-Standard d View The Two-Realms View The Repentance View The Moderated View The Modern Liberal View The Dispensational View The In-Breaking Kingdom View 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 11

12 Ways of Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount Preceding approaches have been covered in past lessons Listed here as a reminder No time to treat each one again Each has something to offer Typical Bible class treatment of the Sermon often results in a jumbling together of points from Anabaptist? the various views Double-Standard? The In-Breaking Kingdom offers Self-Help? Repentance? the best explanation In-Breaking Kingdom? Moderated? Dispensational? Two-Realms? Modern Liberal? Liberation? Hyperbolic? 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 12

13 A pacifist example of how Mt 5:38-42 might work Turning cheek makes a second blow difficult Based on the mechanics of slapping The point is to respond to evil in ways that make further evil less likely Giving away both cloaks shames the system Based on cultural l aversion to nakedness The point is to respond to evil in ways that undermine its institutional legitimacy Going the extra mile makes the oppressor a lawbreaker Based on a one-mile limit for impressment (cf. Simon the Cyrenian in 27:32) The point is to respond to evil in ways that maneuver evil into violation of law 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 13

each of the ten views has something to offer, even if not fully convincing A vision of the in-breaking Kingdom

14 An assessment of Yoder s approach Yoder s book is recommended reading on other grounds, but its passive-aggressive rationale for pacifism is not altogether convincing His perspective is treated here simply as an example of how each of the ten views has something to offer, even if not fully convincing A vision of the in-breaking Kingdom gathers up the good points from each view and presents them more completely l and coherently 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 14

15 What does the In-Breaking Kingdom mean to Matthew s readers? Mirror reading can help answer that question Mirror reading is the analysis of a text for the reflection (mirror) of its recipients. For example 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 15

16 Mirror Reading Example 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth th is not in us. Some people were claiming to be without sin 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 16

17 Mirror Reading Mt 5:38-42 Resist not evil avoid going to court give your possessions Mt 5:38-42 Members habitually solved their problems by going to law Going to law was profitable 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 17

18 Jural allusions in Mt 5: liable to the court. 22 guilty before the court guilty before the supreme court your opponent at law to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. 26 come out of [prison] 31 certificate of divorce 32 commits adultery. 33 false vows 34 no oath at all An eye for an eye 39 do not resist [at law?] 40 if anyone wants to sue you 41 force you to go one mile 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 18

19 All of the theses are jural That is, they all involve legal rights and obligations All of the antitheses are non-jural That is, they order life without resort to the courts Matthew 5: Thesis: Do not commit murder Antithesis: Do not hate 2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery Antithesis: Do not lust 3. Thesis: Certify your divorces Antithesis: Do not divorce 4. Thesis: Keep your vows Antithesis: i Don t make vows 5. Thesis: Retaliate Antithesis: Don t retaliate 6. Thesis: Hate your enemies Antithesis: Love your enemies 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 19

20 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you Matthew 5: Thesis: Do not commit murder Antithesis: Do not hate 2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery Antithesis: Do not lust 3. Thesis: Certify your divorces Antithesis: Do not divorce 4. Thesis: Keep your vows Antithesis: i Don t make vows 5. Thesis: Retaliate Antithesis: Don t retaliate 6. Thesis: Hate your enemies Antithesis: Love your enemies Summarizes the solution to all of the above 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 20

21 You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. 39 But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you Matthew 5:38-42 Lex talionis Context and rabbinic usage suggests resist means at law The slap is likely insult vice injury The lawsuit here is not yet a fact Offer tries to avoid going to court Coat must be returned by nightfall Impressment was a matter of law V42 goes to the attitude (preoccupation with gain) that prompts typical responses to all of the above 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 21

22 Keeping Mt 5:38-42 in context Jesus sermon addressed a culture in which Hatred was OK if it stopped short of murder (vv21-26) Lust was OK if it stopped short of the literal adultery (vv27-30) Divorce was OK if it gained a better wife (vv31-32) A deceptive oath was OK if it fit pious technicalities (vv33-37) Lawsuits were OK if they promised a payoff (vv38-42) 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 22

23 Keeping Mt 5:38-42 in context All of the attitudes and behaviors Jesus critiqued were unsuitable to new life within God s Kingdom The performative effect of Jesus sermon was to Establish different norms for community Foster a different lifestyle a different set of calculations into human relationships Make the courtroom irrelevant to life within Matthew s community 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 23

24 Performative vs. Informative Use of Language Examples of performative speech include... That s my seat" from a bully John 19:26 "Jesus Jesus... said to his mother, woman, here is your son," 27 and to the disciple, Here is your mother Sermon on the Mount? Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you mister and missus 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 24

Mt 5:38-42 in even larger context Mt 5:38-42 is

disputes not be taken before unbelievers (1Cor

the believing community might prosper (1Cor 6:7)

the kingdom (1Cor 9:12) Advice on church conflict

25 Mt 5:38-42 in even larger context Mt 5:38-42 is in line with Paul s Insistence that church disputes not be taken before unbelievers (1Cor 6:6) Willingness to be defrauded in order that the believing community might prosper (1Cor 6:7) Emphasis on giving up rights in order to advance the kingdom (1Cor 9:12) Advice on church conflict in general (Rom 12:17; 17 1 Thess 5:15) 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 25

26 Conclusion: The continuum of perspectives on Matthew Mtth Matthew wrote his gospel to Provide specific rules of conduct that apply without qualification across time and space to all communities, individuals, and circumstances Re-order the religious life of his community in harmony with its experience of God s inbreaking Kingdom No interpretation required Just do it! Must be unpacked, understood, d and repackaged for different cultural circumstances 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 26

27 BACKUPS

28 Non-Resistance to Evil Absolute non-resistance to evil is not in line with the NT as a whole. For example Acts 6:10 they [unbelieving Jews] were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing [Barnabas and Saul], seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 28

29 Resist (Greek anthistēmi ) 2 Tim 4:15 Be on guard against him [Alexander, the coppersmith] yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. Acts 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing [Barnabas and Saul], seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Gal 2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I [Paul] opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. Rom 9:19 You will say to me [Paul] then, Why does He [God] still find fault? For who resists His will? Eph 6:13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 29

30 Resist (Greek anthistēmi ) Rom 13:2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Acts 6:10 And yet they [unbelieving Jews] were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking. Jas 4:7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 2 Tim 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected as regards the faith. 1 Pet 5:9 But resist him [the Devil], firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 30

31 Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you 45 in order that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 31

32 Matthew 5: For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. 23 July 2008 Bill Brewer 32

The Sermon on the Mount

The Sermon on the Mount 16 July 2008 Bill Brewer Are campaign pledges (oaths) worth anything? Post Election? General Election CENTER CENTER LEFT Party Primaries RIGHT Campaign pledges have become, not