responses to matthew 5:38-48

• Matthew 5:38-48 is the Sermon on the Mount
• 2 key messages from Matthew 5:38-48:

  • rejection of an eye for an eye - "do not resist an evildoer"; "turn the other cheek"; "go with him 2 miles"; "give to him who begs from you"
  • rejection of hate your enemy - "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"; "you therefore, must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect"
• response to the Sermon on the Mount from those who accept Jesus' authority as God's authority:

  • Jesus is saying what God required them to do
  • although these expectations are a challenge to normal human behaviour e.g. to be "perfect", those who assume Jesus is teaching with the full authority of God take these teachings seriously
  • e.g. pacifism - not resisting those who might be enemies
• response to Sermon on the Mount from those who accept Jesus' authority as only human:

  • regarding not resisting attackers: liberal Christians may point out the context in which Jesus was speaking - resistance to Romans could lead to crucifixion
  • some may say it is cowardly not to defend from an attack
  • some may suggests the request to be perfect is hyperbole - it is not an achievement of the impossible that is required, but an attempt