The assertation that Jesus was an enemy of the state is not true*. Rendering the insinuation that his followers should be, moot.
If you have a logical reason that someone should act in a particular w...
Hello, Daniel,
I appreciate your interaction; this is a conversation well worth having.
There are many "logical reasons" for rational humans to view the state as enemy, but this meme is explicitly focused on following in Jesus' footsteps. Admittedly, it presents this truth in shorthand. However, Jesus was in fact (and still is) Enemy Number One of the state, and I can offer as many proofs as you may be willing to consider.
Jesus' remark to Pilate is a proof-text that doesn't adequately support your counter-assertion that Jesus is "acknowledging the authority of the state." The English word "authority" is a poor translation of the Greek word "exousia (ἐξουσία)," which would be better rendered as "power" in most biblical contexts. As should be obvious, even in the immediate context, "exousia" carries no connotation of legitimacy (consider your own observation that Pilate himself knew Jesus to be innocent, yet he proceeded to execute him).
It should also be logically obvious to any righteous man that an entity willing to murder for the sake of “the greater good” is evil and must needs be seen as the enemy it is.
If you care to discuss this further in good faith, we ought to have some common ground agreement on definitions. Can we strive to understand one another, rather than talk past each other?🙏😀
Thank you again for commenting.
I appreciate your interaction; this is a conversation well worth having.
There are many "logical reasons" for rational humans to view the state as enemy, but this meme is explicitly focused on following in Jesus' footsteps. Admittedly, it presents this truth in shorthand. However, Jesus was in fact (and still is) Enemy Number One of the state, and I can offer as many proofs as you may be willing to consider.
Jesus' remark to Pilate is a proof-text that doesn't adequately support your counter-assertion that Jesus is "acknowledging the authority of the state." The English word "authority" is a poor translation of the Greek word "exousia (ἐξουσία)," which would be better rendered as "power" in most biblical contexts. As should be obvious, even in the immediate context, "exousia" carries no connotation of legitimacy (consider your own observation that Pilate himself knew Jesus to be innocent, yet he proceeded to execute him).
It should also be logically obvious to any righteous man that an entity willing to murder for the sake of “the greater good” is evil and must needs be seen as the enemy it is.
If you care to discuss this further in good faith, we ought to have some common ground agreement on definitions. Can we strive to understand one another, rather than talk past each other?🙏😀
Thank you again for commenting.
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