2006-09-01 03:50:04 · 20 answers · asked by Takashi101 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No. Jesus tells us how to deal with evil-doers at Matthew 5:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you."
Christians are not to resist those who wish to do us evil because of our religious beliefs. This seems to be misunderstood by many defensive Christian answerers here .......
2006-09-01 03:55:35 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne: YPA 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
read above in Exodus 21:22-24. This scripture is about if a man causes a woman to lose her child then the husband can do a eye for an eye. This is not about saved people taking revenge just anytime they want to.
2006-09-01 10:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by iwant_u2_wantme2000 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
actually the eye for an eye is a limit to the punishment. If you think of the Hatfiels and the Macoys there is no end to the vengence of man if uncontrolled
we cant even limit the monetary punishment for spilling hot coffee at macdonalds...
it was a contraint.. and vengence isnt the motive... I think when Jesus quoted it it was partly with a view toaward a person justifying vengence and in any case we are comanded to forgive and love mercy
in the end vengence is wrong, but judicial contsraint and judicial punishment is not and not the same
In both testaments God does command us to mercy.. in the old to do justice and LOVE MERCY and walk humbly with God...an interesting command.. as it is the chief way God glorifies himself but mercy does not obliterate justice
In the New Jesus saiys the weighty parts of the law are Justice Mercy and Faithfulness
2006-09-01 10:55:29 · answer #3 · answered by whirlingmerc 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The "eye for an eye" is the same as limits on imprisonment for certain crimes. It means that one cannot take two eyes for one, or a life for an eye, or three teeth for one tooth or cut off an arm for a tooth.
Christians do not prefer revenge. "Vengeance is mine", says, the Lord.
Why do you think there are so many Christian ministries in prisons?
2006-09-01 10:59:17 · answer #4 · answered by GreenHornet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I keep hearing people say no, because it was part of old testament law. This, although true, is also untrue. It's true it was in the old testament but it was only a part of the Mosaic law. The mosaic law was given to the children of Israel after leaving Egypt because they, after being in slavery for so many years, were psychologically incapable of living the laws of God given prier to their captivity. Which were for the most part, the gospel as taught by Jesus. However, your answer is still 'no' because Christ fulfilled the end of the law as required by old testament teachings, including the Mosaic law and abolished it. From then on the law has been Love, forgiveness and repentance as taught prier to the Mosaic law. Without the law of Sacrifice.
2006-09-01 11:14:18 · answer #5 · answered by oldman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An eye for an eye is as you said in Exodus which is the Old Testament.When Jesus came to earth He fullfilled the law and therefore there was no more need for blood atonement and He fullfilled the eye for an eye He now asks us to be forgiving instead of vengeful.He also states that vengenance is for Him not for us .
2006-09-01 10:57:29 · answer #6 · answered by wolfy1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My understanding of this passage is it doesn't have anything to do with revenge. Revenge belongs to God. It has to do with restitution. If someone is caught stealing your stereo, they should replace it. If someone steals your car and destroys it on a joy ride, they should pay you for it. This is what the offender should feel compelled to do to make things right.
Turn the other cheek in the new testament has to do with Christians not demanding revenge.
2006-09-01 11:03:03 · answer #7 · answered by DL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The eye for eye was meant to teach others punishment must fit the crime. I think we have lost that when we award several million for spilled coffee.
Romans 12:18-20
Do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.
Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God. For it is written,"I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it,"[a] says the Lord.
Instead, do what the Scriptures say: "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you.
2006-09-01 10:58:59 · answer #8 · answered by williamzo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gilbert and Sullivan explained it the best I have ever heard "Let the punishment fit the crime." (Sing it with me, everyone)
If you read the context, when the scripture is given, it is talking about judges impose sentences in court cases where one person is suing another for personal or propety damage.
It means that if a person causes harm or damage (to the person's body or property) that the punsihment should be the same in value as the damage. If I were to break your window, for example, you should be repaid for the value of the window. You would not be able to sue me for 20 million dollars That would not fit the crime.
In the case of bodily harm, if I were to somehow damage your eye, the punishment should not exceed damage to my own eye. You would not be able to have me executed for it.
2006-09-01 11:08:16 · answer #9 · answered by dewcoons 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, go right ahead...go read the code of Hammurabi to find out where that came from.
The Law Code of Hammurabi is significant because it is one of the oldest set of laws yet discovered by modern archaeologists. It dates back to around the 18th century B.C. Hammurabi was the Babylonian king who conquered the Sumerian dynasty of Isin, thus bringing an end to the centuries-long Sumerian domination of Mesopotamia. His own dynasty collapsed following his death, but the code of laws which he instituted endured.
The Code of Hammurabi is of special interest to biblical archaeologists because of the similarities between it and the Mosaic Law. Instances of correspondence include the famous "eye for an eye" principle. This has led some scholars to speculate that Moses, who lived around three centuries after Hammurabi, borrowed his law from the Babylonian monarch. This view has been discredited however. The similarities are limited and often superficial. For example, in the Mosaic Law, the "eye for an eye" principle is universal. In the Hammurabi Law the "eye for an eye" principle only applies if both parties are of equal status (i.e. lower class, middle class, upper class, clerical, nobility, etc.).
2006-09-01 10:52:23 · answer #10 · answered by Justsyd 7 · 1⤊ 3⤋