Is there ever a time where you say to yourself I'm just not gonna turn the other cheek? Do you ever feel that turning the other cheek is a bit over rated?
2007-05-30 08:20:50 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That'sRight - You're an idiot.
2007-05-30 08:26:49 · update #1
Lu 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he (Christ) said unto them, It is enough.
In this verse Jesus is making an allowance for the apostles to defend themselves. But note only two swords was enough, indicating that they are only for defense and not for a war.
The teaching to turn the other cheek was to counter the over aggressive use of revenge in Jesus’ day (you have heard an eye for an eye). Also notice in Luke 6:29; what we are talking about a non-lethal slapping of the cheek, the carrying of a pack two mile, the given of your coat. These were only acts of humiliation and hardly comparable to serious dangers of our families. This does not mean we are to sit ideally by (waiting for the authorities) as our family is murdered. Yes, we are to resist taking manner into our own hands but that is if it’s possible, as it says in Romans; “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” “If it is possible” is not the same as always. We are to strive to live at peace with all men, but if our families are in danger we are to rise up and be their protectors.
2007-05-30 08:28:09 · answer #1 · answered by Brian 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is not always a good thing to do.
The idea of turning the other cheek is a good one in some circumstances. It is often useful to defuse a situation by just not reacting to it. Some situations will become worse by responding to them.
However, there are many situations where that is not the best avenue to take. There are times when turning the other cheek will just get you killed. Sometimes you have to take action in a situation to resolve it.
That's why relying too much on simple lists of rules doesn't really suffice. You have to actually use your brain in each situation to determine the best course of action.
2007-05-30 08:24:14 · answer #2 · answered by nondescript 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's always an option. SOMEtimes it is a dumb option, though, like if you've been raped. That is not the time to turn the other cheek. If someone call you a bad name, like a whore, then you could turn the other cheek and just walk away.
2007-05-30 08:28:09 · answer #3 · answered by Iamnotarobot (former believer) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Turning the other cheek" is always an option since nobody can take away our ability to do so. We have something commonly called agency that allows us to always choose how we respond to circumstances. This is different than freedom, which can be taken away.
I think the phrase, "turn the other cheek" refers to this agency and the admonition to love even our enemies. This doesn't mean someone who commits crimes should be allowed to escape justice or that we shouldn't protect ourselves and others from criminals. They should be brought to justice when possible, but we shouldn't become captive to feelings of hate or anger.
2007-05-30 08:55:21 · answer #4 · answered by Bryan Kingsford 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus speaks of reconciliation in this verse.
"an eye for an eye...," was a legal application, not a rule of personal defense.
Jesus' point was not "do not enforce civil justice," but "make peace when it is within your power." Under no circumstance does "turn the other cheek if you get slapped" somehow become "don't hit the guy who is trying to rape you." Imagine how preposterous it would be to take Jesus' words "do not resist him who is evil" (Matt. 5:39) as the universal, normative stance toward evil.
2007-05-30 08:50:54 · answer #5 · answered by Sternchen 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from what I know,
the phrase "turn the other cheek" was meant for defying authority and was quite litteral for this reason:
Back in that time period, authorities would slap the pesants back handed. if the pesant were to turn his cheek after the first slap, the authority figure would have to slap the pesant with the palm of his hand.
not sure why- but it would seem that being slapped backhanded was reserved for the peasants, or the "have nots"
but being slapped with the palm of one's hand was punishment for the ones in the middle class or higher, the "haves"
2007-05-30 09:26:19 · answer #6 · answered by Shake-Zula 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think of turning the different cheek is robust and confident I do turn the different cheek yet there comes a time once you are able to desire to teach you're finished with the crap and teach them the way it is going to be yet being prudent approximately it.
2016-10-30 05:57:11 · answer #7 · answered by wisniowski 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Luther wrote a whole treatise on whether soldiers were saved even after killing people (the answer he gave was YES). Sometimes retaliation is a "tragic option of last resort" after all else fails....
2007-05-30 08:27:22 · answer #8 · answered by tracymoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its one of the hardest questions to answer. For example, if someone raped and killed your mother, would you be able to forgive him? I consider myself spiritually weak, so I would never know what to truly do.
2007-05-30 08:26:32 · answer #9 · answered by j_money91 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it is a good thing, SOMETIMES. But, there are times when you just have to stand up for yourself.
2007-05-30 08:26:59 · answer #10 · answered by country_girl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋