Go Deeper

In this episode I go through the Old Testament verses that talk about the principle of an eye for an eye. Furthermore I also go through the New Testament verse in which Jesus references the same principle.

Podcast Notes: An eye for an eye

Questions to ask:

•  Does the Old Testament contradict the New Testament on this particular topic?

Readings

Exodus 21:22-25~ “When men strive together and hit a pregnant woman, so that her children come out, but there is no harm, the one who hit her shall surely be fined, as the woman's husband shall impose on him, and he shall pay as the judges determine. But if there is harm, then you shall pay life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.”

Leviticus 24:17-22~ “Whoever takes a human life shall surely be put to death. Whoever takes an animal's life shall make it good, life for life. If anyone injures his neighbor, as he has done it shall be done to him, fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth; whatever injury he has given a person shall be given to him. Whoever kills an animal shall make it good, and whoever kills a person shall be put to death. You shall have the same rule for the sojourner and for the native, for I am the LORD your God.”

Deuteronomy 19:15-21~ “A single witness shall not suffice against a person for any crime or for any wrong in connection with any offense that he has committed. Only on the evidence of two witnesses or of three witnesses shall a charge be established. If a malicious witness arises to accuse a person of wrongdoing, then both parties to the dispute shall appear before the LORD, before the priests and the judges who are in office in those days. The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So, you shall purge the evil from your midst. And the rest shall hear and fear and shall never again commit any such evil among you. Your eye shall not pity. It shall be life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.

Matthew 5:38-39~ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

Ø There is no indication that an eye for an eye was ever followed literally.

Ø The phrase was used in the context of a case being judged.

Ø Main Principle: The punishment must fit the crime

Ø This was to guide the judges and the presiding lawgivers in executing justice for the people. It was never meant to be used for personal vengeance.

Ø For governments, not to settle personal slights or insults

Ø In the New Testament, Jesus is speaking against personal retaliation for petty insults. In our daily personal relationships, we have a responsibility to love our enemies.

Ø This does not excuse crimes like extortion, abuse, or murder. It is the government’s responsibility to punish those crimes justly.

In this episode I share some Bible study tips that have personally helped me. I am not a Theologian and you don’t have to be to grasp and understand the different passages in the Bible. As Christians, it is essential that we interpret the Bible in a correct and concise manner.

Book that I recommend: How to Read the Bible for all its worth by Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart

This is part 2 of the series “Why Christianity“. In this episode I discuss the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I also discuss some theories that people use to try and disapprove his resurrection. 

Verses discussed:  

1.  “saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, do my prophets no harm!”” ‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:22‬ ‭ESV‬‬ This verse is often used when people question the teachings or behaviour of certain pastors, prophets or men of God (as we often call them) and take it out of context. In this episode I discuss this verse and how we can apply it in context today. I also discuss the problem of idolising pastors and anyone in particular. 
2. “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭22:39‬ ‭ESV‬‬. The misconception in this verse is that we often think that we can’t love others if we do not love ourselves first. The culture of self-love and loving ourselves is problematic because it often leads to self-centredness and seIf-worship. In this verse, self-love is assumed and used as a comparison to how we should love others. Naturally we all love ourselves.
   

• Sometimes we might not feel good about ourselves but the truth is that even then, we still desire good things for ourselves. We still want to feel good. It is that desire of happiness and goodness in our lives that comes naturally. The bible commands selflessness and putting others above ourselves. Self-love is not a prerequisite to loving others. 
  
•  Consider these quotes from the book: (You’re Not Enough and that’s Okay by Allie Beth Stuckey) Our minds have so intertwined self-affirmation and success that we’re afraid that if we stop telling ourselves how great we are, our lives will take a nosedive into misery. We’ll start to wallow in self-pity, our relationships will grow toxic and codependent, and we’ll fail at work because we’ll be crippled by our own self-doubt. Because of Jesus, we have an answer to our insecurities, our self-criticism and self-doubt, and it’s so much better than flimsy, shallow self-love. Our answer is him, the eternal, unchanging Creator and Sustainer of the universe, who paid for our sins on the cross, declaring us forever forgiven, innocent and righteous before a just and holy God. What deeper and surer confidence could we ask for than to be irrevocably purchased by Jesus’s perfect sacrifice, not as a reward for our goodness but as a gift by his grace?

Other Sources:

http://midwestapologetics.org/blog/?p=709
https://www.aletheiari.com/news/2017/3/7/did-jesus-say-i-must-love-myself-first

As believers we are supposed to be influencing the world. But the trend we see today in our culture, is that of so many Christians being influenced by the world. We are supposed to be the light and show Christ to the world not conforming to the patterns of this world or trying to fit into it. 

Can we find truth? Can we really ever know? The answer to those questions is found in John 14:6 and the answer is Jesus. He is the truth and He is the life. In Him we live, move and have our being.