the sermon on the mount pt 11 v1.pdf · injury is made to experience the same injury • ot...
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The Sermon on the MountThe Sermon on the Mount
23 July 2008Bill Brewer
What do these people have in common?
Mohandas K h d
Martin L th Karamchand
GandhiLuther King
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 2
Answer: Both were advocates of non-violence
1 Thesis: Do not commit murder1 Thesis: Do not commit murder“The Six Antitheses”: Matthew 5:21-48
1. Thesis: Do not commit murderAntithesis: Do not hate
2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery
1. Thesis: Do not commit murderAntithesis: Do not hate
2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery2. Thesis: Do not commit adulteryAntithesis: Do not lust
3. Thesis: Certify your divorces
2. Thesis: Do not commit adulteryAntithesis: Do not lust
3. Thesis: Certify your divorces3. Thesis: Certify your divorcesAntithesis: Do not divorce
4. Thesis: Keep your vows
3. Thesis: Certify your divorcesAntithesis: Do not divorce
4. Thesis: Keep your vowsp yAntithesis: Don’t make vows
5. Thesis: Retaliate
p yAntithesis: Don’t make vows
5. Thesis: RetaliateAntithesis: Don’t retaliate
6. Thesis: Hate your enemiesAntithesis: Don’t retaliate
6. Thesis: Hate your enemiesAntithesis: Love your enemiesAntithesis: Love your enemies23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 3
One Possible OutlineI. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16)( )
1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous Living (5:3-12)
2 Salt and Light: Essence of
3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34)a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24)b Anxiety (6:25 34)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
b. Anxiety (6:25-34)4. Various Teachings and the Golden
Rule (7:1-12)III C (7 13 27)1. Relation between Old and New
Righteousness (5:17-48)a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20)b S i f th Old Si
III. CONCLUSION (7:13-27)1. The Two Ways (7:13-14)2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23)
b. Surpassing of the Old: Six Antitheses (5:21-48)
2. Outward/Inward Righteousness (6:1-18)
a. Warning concerning False Prophets (7:15-20)
b. Insufficiency of the Charismata 18)
a. Almsgiving (6:1-4)b. Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
y(7:21-23)
3. Parable of Two Builders (7:24-27)H D A (2002) V l 33A W d Bibli l C t
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 4
(6:5-15)c. Fasting (6:16-18)
Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (84). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.
One Possible OutlineI. INTRODUCTION (5:3-16)
3. Dependence upon God (6:19-34)a. Serving God vs. Wealth (6:19-24)b Anxiety (6:25 34)
( )1. Beatitudes: Foundation of Righteous
Living (5:3-12)2 Salt and Light: Essence of b. Anxiety (6:25-34)
4. Various Teachings and the Golden Rule (7:1-12)
III C (7 13 27)
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 III. CONCLUSION (7:13-27)
1. The Two Ways (7:13-14)2. The False and the Genuine (7:15-23)
1. Relation between Old and New Righteousness (5:17-48)
a. Continuity with the Old (5:17-20)b S i f th Old Si a. Warning concerning False
Prophets (7:15-20)b. Insufficiency of the Charismata
b. Surpassing of the Old: Six Antitheses (5:21-48)
2. Outward/Inward Righteousness (6:1-18)
y(7:21-23)
3. Parable of Two Builders (7:24-27)
18)a. Almsgiving (6:1-4)b. Prayer and the Lord’s Prayer
H D A (2002) V l 33A W d Bibli l C t
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 5
(6:5-15)c. Fasting (6:16-18)
Hagner, D. A. (2002). Vol. 33A: Word Biblical Commentary : Matthew 1-13. Word Biblical Commentary (84). Dallas: Word, Incorporated.
Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An “You have heard that it was said ‘An You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’
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
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
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
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 y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to
y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to
y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to
y y ,resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also
him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also 41 “And
him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him have your coat also 41 “And let him have your coat also. let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two.
let him have your coat also. 41 And whoever shall force you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him mile, go with him two. mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 6
from you (NASB)
Some Questions• How does Mt 5:38-42 • How does Mt 5:38-42 …
– Relate to the Old Testament?Relate to Judaism in NT times?– Relate to Judaism in NT times?
– Relate to the Matthean community?A l t Ch i ti t d ? – Apply to Christians today?
• Is the underlying ethic personal or corporate? corporate?
• Is its a precept or procedure?I th th t • Is there more than one way to understand Mt 5:38-42?
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 7
“Eye for an Eye”: the “lex talionis” (Latin, “law of retribution”)• “Lex talionis” is the law by which a person causing • Lex talionis is the law by which a person causing
injury is made to experience the same injury• OT referencesOT references
– Ex 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB)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 ; j j ,it shall be inflicted on him (NASB)
– Dt 19:21 “Thus you shall not show pity: life for y p ylife, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (NASB)
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 8
“Eye for an Eye”: the “lex talionis” (Latin, “law of retribution”)• “Lex talionis” is widely misrepresented as a • Lex talionis is widely misrepresented as a
symbol of primitive cruelty over against modern compassionp
• It is more correctly understood as reflecting …– A limit on retaliationA limit on retaliation– A shift in the agency of retribution from
individuals to communityy– Concern for victims
• The community …The community …– Is accountable to God for retribution on the
guiltyg y– Does not have the option of pity (Dt 19:21)23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 9
The Challenge of Matthew 5:38-42• A “plain reading” and straightforward • A plain reading and straightforward
application of the apparently radical pacifism in Mt 5:38-42 would seem to pmake community and personal life practically impossible
• Absolutizing “turning the other cheek” would require non-resistance to evil,
t j t h di t d i t not just when directed against oneself, but also when directed against othersagainst others
• Those possibilities have prompted numerous approaches to the Sermon numerous approaches to the Sermon that seek to soften its apparent demands
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 10
Ways of Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount• The Anabaptist (Pacifist) View• The Anabaptist (Pacifist) View• The Hyperbolic View• The Self Help View• The Self-Help View• The Liberation Theology View
Th D bl St d d Vi• The Double-Standard View• The Two-Realms View
Th R t Vi• The Repentance View• The Moderated View• The Modern Liberal View• The Dispensational View• The In-Breaking Kingdom View
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 11
Ways of Interpreting the Sermon on the Mount• Preceding approaches have been • Preceding approaches have been
covered in past lessons• Listed here as a reminderListed here as a reminder• No time to treat each one again• Each has something to offer• Each has something to offer• Typical Bible class treatment of
the Sermon often results in a the Sermon often results in a jumbling together of points from the various views
Anabaptist?Double-Standard? Two Realms?
Dispensational?
• The “In-Breaking Kingdom” offers the best explanation
Self-Help?
Liberation?
Double Standard? Two-Realms?
Repentance? Modern Liberal?
Hyperbolic?Moderated?
In-Breaking Kingdom?
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 12
A pacifist example of how Mt 5:38-42 might “work”• Turning cheek makes a second blow difficultTurning cheek makes a second blow difficult
– Based on the mechanics of slapping– The point is to respond to evil in ways that p p y
make further evil less likely• Giving away both cloaks shames the “system”
B d lt l i t k d– Based on cultural aversion to nakedness– The point is to respond to evil in ways that
undermine its institutional legitimacyundermine 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 – The point is to respond to evil in ways that maneuver evil into violation of law
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 13
An assessment of Yoder’s approach …• Yoder’s book is recommended reading on other 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 convincingg , y g
• A vision of the “in-breaking Kingdom” gathers up the good points from each view and presents th l t l d h tlthem more completely and coherently
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 14
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
“Mirror Reading” Example
• 1 John 1:8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves
d th t th i t i
• Some people were claiming to be without sin
and the truth is not in us.23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 16
“Mirror Reading” Mt 5:38-42
• Members habitually solved • Resist not evil … avoid going
to court … give your i Mt 5 38 42
Members habitually solved their problems by going to law
• Going to law was profitablepossessions … — Mt 5:38-42 • Going to law was profitable23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 17
“Jural” allusions in Mt 5:21-41• 21 liable to the court • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 liable to the court 22 guilty • 21 … liable to the court. • 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty
before the court … guilty before the supreme court ...
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent
• 21 … liable to the court. 22 … guilty before the court … guilty before the supreme court ... 25 …your opponent pp y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into
p y ppat law … to the judge, and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown into prison. prison. 26 … come out of [prison] …prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorceprison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery
prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows
prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows
prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows
prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows
prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows
prison. 26 … come out of [prison] … 31 … certificate of divorce 32 … commits adultery 33 false vows commits adultery. commits adultery. 33 … false vows …commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye …
commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist
commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist
commits adultery. 33 … false vows … 34 … no oath at all ... 38 … An eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist eye for an eye …eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist [at law?]…eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist [at law?]… 40 … if anyone wants to sue you …
eye for an eye … 39 … do not resist [at law?]… 40 … if anyone wants to sue you … 41 … force you to go one
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 18
mile …
Matthew 5:38-421 Thesis: Do not commit murder• All of the “theses” are 1. Thesis: Do not commit murder
Antithesis: Do not hate2. Thesis: Do not commit adultery
• All of the theses are “jural”
yAntithesis: Do not lust
3. Thesis: Certify your divorces
• That is, they all involve legal rights and obligations Antithesis: Do not divorce
4. Thesis: Keep your vowsA tith i D ’t k
obligations
• All of the “antitheses” Antithesis: Don’t make vows
5. Thesis: RetaliateAntithesis: Don’t retaliate
are non-jural
• That is they order life Antithesis: Don t retaliate6. Thesis: Hate your enemies
Antithesis: Love your enemies
That is, they order life without resort to the courts
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 19
y
Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard that it was said 1 Thesis: Do not commit murderYou have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you,
1. Thesis: Do not commit murderAntithesis: Do not hate
2. Thesis: Do not commit adulterydo not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek turn to him the other also
yAntithesis: Do not lust
3. Thesis: Certify your divorcescheek, turn to him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him
Antithesis: Do not divorce4. Thesis: Keep your vows
A tith i D ’t k have your coat also. 41 “And whoever shall force you to go one mile go with him two 42
Antithesis: Don’t make vows5. Thesis: Retaliate
Antithesis: Don’t retaliateone mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him
Antithesis: Don t retaliate6. Thesis: Hate your enemies
Antithesis: Love your enemies6. Thesis: Hate your enemies
Antithesis: Love your enemies“Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 20
yywho wants to borrow from you Summarizes the solution
to all of the above
Matthew 5:38-42“You have heard that it was said “Lex talionis”You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 “But I say to you,
Lex talionisContext and rabbinic usagesuggests “resist” means “at law”
do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek turn to him the other also
The slap is likely insult vice injury
The lawsuit here is not yet a factcheek, turn to him the other also. 40 “And if anyone wants to sue you, and take your shirt, let him
Offer tries to avoid going to court
Coat must be returned by nightfallhave your coat also. 41 “And whoever shall force you to go one mile go with him two 42
Coat must be returned by nightfall
Impressment was a matter of lawone mile, go with him two. 42 “Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him
V42 goes to the attitude (preoccupation with gain) that prompts typical responses to all who wants to borrow from you
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 21
prompts typical responses to all of the above
• Jesus’ sermon addressed a culture Keeping Mt 5:38-42 in context…
• Jesus sermon addressed a culture in which …– Hatred was OK if it stopped short
– Lust was OK
ppof murder (vv21-26)
if it stopped short of
– Divorce was OKthe literal adultery (vv27-30)
if it gained a
– A deceptive oath was OK if it fit i t h i liti ( 33 37)
better wife (vv31-32)
– Lawsuits were OK if they i d ff ( 38 42)
pious technicalities (vv33- 37)
promised a payoff (vv38-42)23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 22
• All of the attitudes and behaviors Keeping Mt 5:38-42 in context…
• All of the attitudes and behaviors Jesus critiqued were unsuitable to new life within God’s Kingdomg
• The performative effect of Jesus’ sermon was to
performative
– Establish different norms for community
– Foster a different lifestyle— a different set of calculations into human relationships
– Make the courtroom irrelevant to lif ithi M tth ’ it
– Make the courtroom irrelevant to lif ithi M tth ’ it life within Matthew’s community
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 23
life within Matthew’s community
Performative vs. Informative Use of Language• Examples of performative • Examples of performative
speech include...– “That’s my seat" from a
Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you mister and missus …
– That s my seat from a bully
– John 19:26 "Jesus said to John 19:26 Jesus... said to his mother, woman, here is your son," 27 and to the ydisciple, “Here is your mother“
– Sermon on the Mount?
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 24
Mt 5:38-42 in even larger context…• Mt 5:38-42 is in line with Paul’s • Mt 5:38-42 is in line with Paul s …
– Insistence that church disputes not be taken before unbelievers (1Cor be taken before unbelievers (1Cor 6:6)
– Willingness to be defrauded in 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 l (R 12 17 1 Th 5 15)general (Rom 12:17; 1 Thess 5:15)
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 25
Conclusion: The continuum of perspectives on Matthew …
M tth t hi l t
• Provide specific rules of • Re-order the religious life of
Matthew wrote his gospel to …
Provide specific rules of conduct that apply without qualification across time and
Re order the religious life of his community in harmony with its experience of God’s
space to all communities, individuals, and circumstances
inbreaking Kingdom
No interpretation required—J t d it!
Must be unpacked, d t d d k d Just do it! understood, and repackaged
for different cultural circumstances
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 26
circumstances
BACKUPSBACKUPS
Non-Resistance to Evil• Absolute non-resistance to evil is not in line with the NT as a • 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 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 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] opposedhim 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 t d fistand firm.
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 28
“Resist” (Greek “anthistēmi”)2 Ti 4 15 B d i t hi [Al d th ith] • 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) √ 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.G C
√
√ • 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
√
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
“Resist” (Greek “anthistēmi”)R 13 2 Th f h h i t th it h d th • Rom 13:2 Therefore he who resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.p
• Acts 6:10 And yet they [unbelieving Jews] were unable to cope with the wisdom and the Spirit with which [Stephen] was speaking.
S f G f f
√
• 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 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
Matthew 5:43-48“You have heard that it was said ‘You You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ 44 “But I say to you, love y y y y ,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 on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. unrighteous.
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 31
Matthew 5:43-4846 “For if you love those who love 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax-gatherers do the same? g47 “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 be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
23 July 2008— Bill Brewer 32