Turning the other cheek vs. Christian armies

4. July 2009 by admin.

Looking back on the New Testament, one of the most confusing and difficult commandments Jesus gave is the call to resist retaliation.  He said in the book of Matthew, “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.  Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.”

In short, Jesus seems to command us to not seek retribution for wrongdoings, ranging from physical assault to lawsuits to legal unfairness, covering the whole gamut of uncomfortable things that nobody likes to have happen to them.  At face value, taken in its most radical and consistent sense, that means you can’t even spank your kid. Read the rest of this entry »

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