Volume 45, Customer Support 1-800-521-3042 ProQuest.com ProQuest logo Dissertations Theses - Gradworks The world s most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses. Learn More Virtuous vengeance: Anti-Judaism and Christian piety in medieval England by Birenbaum Maija Ph.D. FORDHAM UNIVERSITY 2010 183 pages 3438476 Abstract: In the later Middle Ages the Crusades the Christian loss of the Holy Land the Great Schism and the perceived menace of the Muslim infidel contributed to rising cultural anxieties about divine judgment and eternal damnation. During this period as the Church sought to strengthen its authority by redefining and promoting orthodoxy an enormous corpus of vernacular devotional literature was produced for the education of the laity. By instructing readers to examine their individual consciences a practice necessary to recognize and repent for sin these works engage with anxieties about salvation while attempting to construct and control them. Many of these texts seek to guide audiences toward spiritual growth by employing the complex and contradictory figure of the Jew an imagined construct against whom to mold both individual and communal Christian identities. Frequently within these works the Christian God is praised for his mercy while in an apparent contradiction he is depicted taking vengeance on the Jews whom medieval Christians believed to be communally and eternally responsible for the murder of Christ. Virtuous Vengeance explores such representations of divine vengeance against Jews in Anglo-Norman and Middle English devotional works composed compiled and circulated in England during the thirteenth through fifteenth centuries arguing that these narratives construct the figure of the Jew as a focal point upon which to project diffuse anxieties about divine punishment and eternal damnation. Chapter One examines ways in which the poem Titus and Vespasian uses affective piety to legitimize violence against Jews Chapter Two explores Les Enfaunces Jesu Crist which depicts the Christ child performing miraculous acts of vengeance upon his Jewish playmates Chapter Three re-examines the alliterative poem Cleanness in the context of anti-Judaic discourse and Chapter Four explores a shadow of anti-Judaic violence that appears surprisingly in the Seven Psalms a commentary on the Penitential Psalms translated into Middle English by a laywoman Eleanor Hull. Virtuous Vengeance points to widespread and subtle uses of what has been variously termed the hermeneutical virtual or spectral Jew and suggests that a cultural narrative of anti-Judaic violence was embedded within the penitential culture of medieval England. Adviser Mary Erler School FORDHAM UNIVERSITY Source Type Dissertation Subjects Medieval literature British and Irish literature Judaic studies Publication Number 3438476 Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation: Find an electronic copy at your library. Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work: ? http: gateway.proquest.com openurl url_ver Z39.88-2004 res_dat xri:pqd iss rft_val_fmt info:ofi fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation rft_dat xri:pqdiss:34 38476 If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations Theses PQDT database you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not you will have the option to purchase one and access a 24 page preview for free if available . About ProQuest Dissertations Theses With nearly 4 million records the ProQuest Dissertations Theses PQDT Global database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research. 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(Log In) Project MUSE * About * Contact * Help * Tools * Order * Saved Citations (0) * for Librarians * for Publishers * Advanced Search Browse Book and Journal Content on Project MUSE OR Search______________ [Content__] Go Browse > Area and Ethnic Studies > Jewish Studies Download PDF [pdf.png] Rent from DeepDyve Rent from DeepDyve A God of Vengeance? Understanding the Psalms of Divine Wrath (review) James W. Watts From: Hebrew Studies Volume 39, 1998 pp. 236-238 | 10.1353/hbr.1998.0007 In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content: Copyright © 1998 National Association of Professors of Hebrew Project MUSE® - View Citation * MLA * APA * Chicago * Endnote James W. Watts. "A God of Vengeance? Understanding the Psalms of Divine Wrath (review)." Hebrew Studies 39.1 (1998): 236-238. Project MUSE. Web. 8 Jan. 2014. . Watts, J. W.(1998). A God of Vengeance? Understanding the Psalms of Divine Wrath (review). Hebrew Studies 39(1), 236-238. National Association of Professors of Hebrew. Retrieved January 8, 2014, from Project MUSE database. James W. Watts. "A God of Vengeance? Understanding the Psalms of Divine Wrath (review)." Hebrew Studies 39, no. 1 (1998): 236-238. http://muse.jhu.edu/ (accessed January 8, 2014). TY - JOUR T1 - A God of Vengeance? Understanding the Psalms of Divine Wrath (review) A1 - James W. Watts JF - Hebrew Studies VL - 39 IS - 1 SP - 236 EP - 238 PY - 1998 PB - National Association of Professors of Hebrew SN - 2158-1681 UR - http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/hebrew_studies/v039/39.watts.html N1 - Volume 39, 1998 ER - ... Research Areas * Area and Ethnic Studies > Jewish Studies * Language and Linguistics * Literature Recommend * Email a link to this page ____________________ Send * Related Content Abiding Astonishment: Psalms, Modernity, and the Making of History (review) Abiding Astonishment: Psalms, Modernity, and the Making of History (review) Psalms (review) Psalms (review) Regnal and divine epithets in the metrical Psalms and Metres of Boethius Regnal and divine epithets in the metrical Psalms and Metres of Boethius * You have access to this content * Free sample * Open Access * Restricted Access Welcome to Project MUSE Use the simple Search box at the top of the page or the Advanced Search linked from the top of the page to find book and journal content. Refine results with the filtering options on the left side of the Advanced Search page or on your search results page. 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(Log In) Project MUSE * About * Contact * Help * Tools * Order * Saved Citations (0) * for Librarians * for Publishers * Advanced Search Browse Book and Journal Content on Project MUSE OR Search______________ [Content__] Go Browse > Area and Ethnic Studies > French Studies Find using OpenURL Rent from DeepDyve Rent from DeepDyve Vengeance and Ressentiment in the Russian Revolution Sheila Fitzpatrick From: French Historical Studies Volume 24, Number 4, Fall 2001 pp. 579-588 Abstract Arno Mayer’s The Furies turns our attention to vengeance and ressentiment as part of the complex of practices and discourses of revolutionary violence. Following Mayer’s lead, this essay explores the phenomena of vengeance and ressentiment in the context of the Russian Revolution, which is broadly defined as the four decades of upheaval in Russia/the Soviet Union starting in 1917. It argues that vengeance/ressentiment in the Russian Revolution was not a fixed constant but something that changed over time, notably with respect to its targets: prerevolutionary (“bourgeois”) elites in the early revolutionary period, the Russian intelligentsia at the end of the 1920s, the Communist administrative elite in the Great Purges of the late 1930s, and Jews in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Finally, it suggests a comparable question for French historians: Is there a history to be written of vengeance/ressentment in the French Revolution? You must be logged in through an institution that subscribes to this journal or book to access the full text. Shibboleth Shibboleth authentication is only available to registered institutions. [Choose your institution_______________________________________] (shibboleth_login) Go Project MUSE For subscribing associations only. * User Name: ____________________ * Password: ____________________ (muse_login) Go Incorrect username or password. 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[duke.jpg] Research Areas * Area and Ethnic Studies > French Studies * History > Western European History Recommend * Email a link to this page ____________________ Send * * Get Permissions * View Citation * Save Citation * Citation Saved Related Content Comparing Revolutions Ideology, Mobilization, and Comparison: Explaining Violence in The Furies Comparing Revolutions Ideology, Mobilization, and Comparison: Explaining Violence in The Furies Interpreting the Terror Interpreting the Terror The Furies: Violence and Terror in the French and Russian Revolutions (review) The Furies: Violence and Terror in the French and Russian Revolutions (review) * You have access to this content * Free sample * Open Access * Restricted Access Welcome to Project MUSE Use the simple Search box at the top of the page or the Advanced Search linked from the top of the page to find book and journal content. Refine results with the filtering options on the left side of the Advanced Search page or on your search results page. Click the Browse box to see a selection of books and journals by: Research Area, Titles A-Z, Publisher, Books only, or Journals only. Connect with Project MUSE * Join our Facebook Page * Follow us on Twitter Project MUSE | 2715 North Charles Street | Baltimore, Maryland USA 21218 | (410) 516-6989 | About | Contact | Help | Tools | Order ©2015 Project MUSE. Produced by The Johns Hopkins University Press in collaboration with The Milton S. Eisenhower Library. Cover 1 Cover 2 Cover 3 [ajax-loader.gif] Please wait . . . dmb_i.gif dmb_m.gif simg.gif Bible Questions Answered inside-header_03.jpg googleplay.png appstore.png Windows2.jpg ? What does the Bible say about revenge IFRAME: _iframe qotw.htm MP3speaker.gif Bible revenge Bible vengeance ? Question: What does the Bible say about revenge Answer: The Bible has a great deal to say about revenge. Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated vengeance revenge and avenge have as their root meaning the idea of punishment. This is crucial in understanding why God reserves for Himself the right to avenge. The key verse regarding this truth is found in the Old Testament and quoted twice in the New Testament. God said It is mine to avenge I will repay. In due time their foot will slip their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them Deuteronomy 32:35 Romans 12:19 Hebrews 10:30 . In Deuteronomy God is speaking of the stiff-necked rebellious idolatrous Israelites who rejected Him and incurred His wrath with their wickedness. He promised to avenge Himself upon them in His own timing and according to His own perfect and pure motives. The two New Testament passages concern the behavior of the Christian who is not to usurp God s authority. Rather we are to allow Him to judge rightly and pour out His divine retribution against His enemies as He sees fit. Unlike us God never takes vengeance from impure motives. His vengeance is for the purpose of punishing those who have offended and rejected Him. We can however pray for God to avenge Himself in perfection and holiness against His enemies and to avenge those who are oppressed by evil. In Psalm 94:1 the psalmist prays for God to avenge the righteous not out of a sense of uncontrolled vindictiveness but out of just retribution from the eternal Judge whose judgments are perfect. Even when the innocent suffer and the wicked appear to prosper it is for God alone to punish. The LORD is a jealous and avenging God the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and maintains his wrath against his enemies Nahum 1:2 . There are only two times in the Bible when God gives men permission to avenge in His name. First after the Midianites committed hideous violent acts against the Israelites the cup of God s wrath against the Midianites was full and He commanded Moses to lead the people in a holy war against them. The LORD said to Moses Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that you will be gathered to your people Numbers 31:1-2 . Here again Moses did not act on his own he was merely an instrument to carry out God s perfect plan under His guidance and instruction. Second Christians are to be in submission to the rulers God has set over us because they are His instruments for vengeance on evildoers 1 Peter 2:13-14 . As in Moses case these rulers are not to act on their own but are to carry out God s will for the punishment of the wicked. It is tempting to try to take on the role of God and seek to punish those who we feel deserve it. But because we are sinful creatures it is impossible for us to take revenge with pure motives. This is why the Mosaic Law contains the command Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD Leviticus. 19:18 . Even David a man after God s own heart 1 Samuel 13:14 refused to take revenge on Saul even though David was the innocent party being wronged. David submitted to God s command to forego vengeance and trust in Him: May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me but my hand will not touch you 1 Samuel 24:12 . As Christians we are to follow the Lord Jesus command to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:44 leaving the vengeance to God. Recommended Resources: War: Four Christian Views edited by: Robert Clouse and Logos Bible Software. __________________________________________________________________ Related Topics: ? What does the Bible say about a Christian serving in the military ? What does the Bible say about violence ? Was Jesus a pacifist ? What does the Bible say about war ? What does the Bible say about torture __________________________________________________________________ Return to: Topical Bible Questions __________________________________________________________________ Return to: GotQuestions.org Home ? What does the Bible say about revenge #alternate Edit this page Wikipedia (en) alternate copyright Wikipedia Atom feed Vengeance Rising From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Vengeance Rising Origin Los Angeles, California, US Genres Thrash metal, Christian metal (early) Years active 1987–1992, 2004 Labels Intense Vengeance Rising was an American Christian thrash metal band from Los Angeles, California.^[1] Fronted by vocalist Roger Martinez, they originally formed as Vengeance in 1987, but changed their name in 1989 to avoid conflict with another band from the Netherlands.^[2] Band members Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Roger Dale Martin, and Glenn Mancaruso left following Once Dead and formed the band Die Happy.^[3] Roger Martinez stayed on to record two more studio albums, but aside from him, Vengeance Rising's lineup changed for each subsequent album. While the group was a ground breaking Christian metal band, today Vengeance Rising is known for vocalist Martinez's turning from Christianity to Satanism to atheism,^[4] since he has continuously done interviews about it. AllMusic describes Vengeance Rising's history as "one of the most entertaining and bizarre stories in the realm of heavy metal."^[5] Contents * 1 Biography * 2 Discography * 3 Members * 4 Side projects * 5 References * 6 External links Biography[edit] The band was known for its fascination with violent themes, as reflected lyrically in their first two albums.^[2] Their first two albums, before the split into Die Happy, are considered their best. Their debut Human Sacrifice was called "the most radical Christian album ever released" by HM Magazine editor Doug Van Pelt.^[6] Their penchant for violence extended to the stage, and the band would graphically portray the crucifixion of Christ at their shows.^[1] Extreme graphics also appeared in the cover art of the band's albums. Both Human Sacrifice and Once Dead were pulled from some Christian book sellers at least partially because of their violent graphical content.^[7]^[8] Copies of their third release. Destruction Comes, had a censorship sticker covering the male figure, dubbed "Raegoul", exposing half of his flesh without skin.^[citation needed] A review of Once Dead in CCM found that the cover of that albums depiction of "resurrection from spiritual death" was "grisly".^[9] Musically, the album showed an influence of speed metal, with thrash arrangements on some songs, like the cover of Deep Purple's Space Truckin',^[9] and "Out of the Will", which reminded one reviewer of One Bad Pig.^[10] While the vocals often sounded "like someone gargling razor blades",^[10] the lyrics were found to be "very Bible based,"^[10] and matched with the scriptural references from which they were drawn.^[9] Frontman Roger Martinez had a background in the Pentecostal Foursquare Church, and was baptized there.^[2]^[11] He eventually rose to be pastor of a Hollywood area church, though by Released Upon the Earth he had left to pursue music full-time.^[2] While there, he began to look into the practice of faith healing, and he claimed to have found it to be a fraud.^[11] In the mid 1990s, Martinez left the Christian faith, telling HM that he was a committed atheist in 1997.^[2] Today, Martinez has obtained rights to the band name for future projects. According to Scott Waters and Steve Rowe, Martinez began to make tapes counteracting the tapes he made during his Christian career. He created a website that renounced his previous output and posted articles portraying Christian leaders in a negative light. Martinez then began making death threats to individuals he claimed "stabbed him in the back", which included friend Steve Rowe of Mortification, a band Martinez helped get their first record contract. Although he has stated that he is currently working on future material to be released under the name "Vengeance Rising" with more of an anti-Christian, Satanic Atheism theme,^[2]^[11] no albums have been released. Vocalist Scott Waters of Ultimatum and "Once Dead" stated on his metal music review website that "Allmusic lists two releases... both of which I doubt ever existed... Former drummer Shannon Frye claims that Martinez was impossible to work with and could not hold on to members long enough to even record a demo". He also claims that Martinez only kept the name of Vengeance Rising because of "continued curiosity from metal fans and Christians alike".^[citation needed] After the September 11, 2001 attacks occurred, Martinez offered free albums from his website for military personnel to encourage a "holy war against Christians". Former fans and critics believe this to be an attack on former bandmates and Christianity, due to the straining situation of debt that he was left with when band members departed after the "Once Dead Tour".^[citation needed] Former founding members of Vengeance Rising along with Ultimatum vocalist Scott Waters reformed in 2004 to play a reunion show at a small club called Chain Reaction in Anaheim, California.^[citation needed] Since Martinez owns the rights to the name "Vengeance Rising," they used the name Once Dead. They released a DVD of that show called Return with a Vengeance.^[citation needed] Discography[edit] * Human Sacrifice (1988, Intense Records, Reviews: Cross Rhythms,^[12] PowerMetal.de (German)) * Once Dead (1990, Intense, Reviews: Cross Rhythms (1),^[10] Cross Rhythms (2)^[12]) * Destruction Comes (1991, Intense, Review: Cross Rhythms^[13]) * Released Upon The Earth (1992, Intense) * Anthology (1993, Intense, compilation) Members[edit] Many members have participated in other projects. * Roger Martinez - vocals/rhythm guitar * Larry Farkas - (1987–1990) guitars * Doug Thieme - (1987–1990) guitars * Roger Martin - (1987–1990) bass * Glenn Mancaruso - (1987–1990) drums * Chris Hyde - (1991) drums * Derek Sean - (1991) lead guitar * Jamie Mitchell - (1991 Session) lead guitar * Victor Macias (aka Joe Monsorb'nik) - (1991 Session) bass * Jimmy P. Brown, II (aka Simon Dawg) - (1991 Session) * Johnny Vasquez - (1991–1992) drums * George Ochoa - (1992 Tour) guitars * Daniel Cordova - (1992 Tour) guitars * Michael Wagel - (1992 Tour) bass Side projects[edit] * Larry Farkas, Doug Thieme, Roger Martin, and Glenn Mancaruso played in Die Happy. * Jamie Mitchell played in the punk band Scaterd Few. * Chris Hyde played in Deliverance. * Daniel Cordova made a guest appearance on "Sons of Thunder" CD by Driver. * Roger Martinez produced a demo for the band Ritual in 1991. References[edit] 1. ^ ^a ^b Hale, Mark (1993). "3119". Headbangers (First edition, second printing ed.). Ann Arbor, Michigan: Popular Culture, Ink. p. 376. ISBN 1-56075-029-4. 2. ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Powell (2002). "Vengeance Rising". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music. pp. 993–994. 3. ^ Powell, Mark Allan (2002). "Die Happy". Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music (First printing ed.). Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers. pp. 256–257. ISBN 1-56563-679-1. 4. ^ Majalahti, Michael (2004-03-02). "The Best Kept Secrets in Rock". Imperiumi. Open Publishing. Archived from the original on 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2007-09-19. 5. ^ Torreano, Bradley. "Vengeance Rising Biography". Allmusic. AMG. Retrieved 2007-09-22. 6. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (November 1988). "Metal Reviews / Human Sacrifice". CCM Magazine 11 (5): 35–36. ISSN 1524-7848. 7. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (February 1989). "Mosh For The Master". CCM Magazine 11 (8): 20–21. ISSN 1524-7848. 8. ^ Van Pelt, Doug (March 1990). "On The Beat / Metal". CCM Magazine 12 (9). ISSN 1524-7848. 9. ^ ^a ^b ^c Van Pelt, Doug (April 1990). "Review / Once Dead". CCM Magazine 12 (10): 50, 52. ISSN 1524-7848. 10. ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Caughey, Dave (September 1990). "Vengeance Rising - Once Dead". Cross Rhythms (03). |accessdate= requires |url= (help) 11. ^ ^a ^b ^c "Roger Martinez: Where Is He Now?". HM Magazine (66). July–August 1997. ISSN 1066-6923. Archived from the original on 2000-06-20. Retrieved 2007-04-30. 12. ^ ^a ^b Cranson, David (February 1999). "Vengeance Rising - Human Sacrifice/Once Dead". Cross Rhythms (49). |accessdate= requires |url= (help) 13. ^ Cummings, Tony (February 1992). "Vengeance Rising - Destruction Comes". Cross Rhythms (10). |accessdate= requires |url= (help) External links[edit] * Vengeance Rising at MySpace * Info on the Christian-Era "Vengeance Rising" from a fan Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vengeance_Rising&oldid=62816 6553" Categories: * Thrash metal musical groups from California * American Christian metal musical groups * Musical groups from Los Angeles, California * Musical groups established in 1987 * Christian extreme metal groups Hidden categories: * Pages using citations with accessdate and no URL * Articles with hCards * All articles with unsourced statements * Articles with unsourced statements from October 2014 * Articles with unsourced statements from March 2012 * Articles with German-language external links Navigation menu Personal tools * Create account * Log in Namespaces * Article * Talk Variants Views * Read * Edit * View history More Search ____________________ Search Go Navigation * Main page * Contents * Featured content * Current events * Random article * Donate to Wikipedia * Wikimedia Shop Interaction * Help * About Wikipedia * Community portal * Recent changes * Contact page Tools * What links here * Related changes * Upload file * Special pages * Permanent link * Page information * Wikidata item * Cite this page Print/export * Create a book * Download as PDF * Printable version Languages * Deutsch * Italiano * Português * Suomi * Edit links * This page was last modified on 4 October 2014, at 04:11. * Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. * Privacy policy * About Wikipedia * Disclaimers * Contact Wikipedia * Developers * Mobile view * Wikimedia Foundation * Powered by MediaWiki #Questions.org » Feed Questions.org » Comments Feed Questions.org » Should a Christian Pray for God’s Vengeance? Comments Feed Why is it Important Not to Treat Sexual Intimacy Casually? Questions.org Answers to Tough Questions About God and Life Menu Skip to content * Home * Categories + Basics Of Faith + Bible + Christianity + Christian life + Contemporary Issues + Ethics + God + Ministry And Outreach + Personal Struggles + Paranormal + Relationships + World Religions * Our Daily Bread Ministries Search for: ____________________ Search Should a Christian Pray for God’s Vengeance? Dan Vander Lugt Ethics, Personal Strugglesenemies, ethics, forgiveness, hatred, prayer, revenge, vengeance Jesus brought a deeper spiritual principle to bear upon the attitude of people towards revenge and retribution. In Matthew 5:38-42, He made three radical statements. First, He said that a person should turn the other cheek when someone strikes him. Second, He declared that His followers should give those who sue them more than they are asking. Third, He said that a person who is conscripted by a Roman officer to carry a load for one mile should offer to go two. Does this mean that we cannot resist when somebody attacks us? Should we let everyone take advantage of us? This can’t be what Jesus meant. After all, Jesus denounced the Pharisees who attacked Him (Matthew 23) and objected when He was struck by one of the officers of the high priest (John 18:22). Further, He advised His disciples to take measures to defend themselves (Matthew 10:16), and He declared that they shouldn’t “meditate beforehand on what you will answer” to an enemy’s charges because He “will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist” (Luke 21:14-15 NKJV). Similarly, the apostle Paul aggressively defended himself against his enemies on occasion (Acts 23:1-3), asserting his rights as a Roman citizen and making it clear to his attackers that there could be consequences if he were unlawfully harmed (Acts 25:14-27). What Jesus asks of His followers is not passivity but surrender of the right to personal revenge. His three radical examples make His point about the attitude we should have toward those who wrong us. Rather than getting even, we should be willing to go to the opposite extreme. We need to be ready to humble ourselves for the kingdom of God. We need to understand that vengeance isn’t ours, but the Lord’s (Romans 12:19). The natural human tendency has been to seek the emotional satisfaction of revenge for perceived injury (Genesis 4:8). Our instinctive response to any kind of injury is hatred and desire for vengeance. This is why Jesus made it so clear in His Sermon on the Mount that not only outward murder, but also inward hatred is subject to God’s judgment (Matthew 5:22-23). Consequently, the Old Testament Law placed limitations on vengeance (Exodus 21:23-25). Although the “eye for an eye” provision of the Mosaic Law has often been misunderstood as requiring vengeance, its actual purpose was to place limitations upon it. The law wouldn’t permit murder out of revenge for an insult or a minor injury. If an eye were put out, only an eye could be taken; if a tooth, only a tooth. Jesus went much farther than the law, making it clear that He wasn’t merely calling for more limitations on vengeance. In Matthew 5:38-39, He implies that we must give up personal vengeance altogether. But as illustrated above by Jesus and Paul’s examples, there is a difference between confronting evil and seeking personal revenge. It is possible to confront evil with a desire for the redemption of its perpetrator. We can love a sinner while confronting his sin, but when we seek vengeance we are (always) motivated by hatred. If Matthew 5:38-42 were taken literally at all times, we would have to let everyone take advantage of us. Turning the other cheek would become an encouragement for evil. This isn’t what Jesus had in mind. His vivid examples illustrate His disciples’ need to give up any sense of entitlement to personal revenge, to be purged of the motivation of personal vengeance. By asking them to “turn the other cheek,” Jesus meant that His disciples should be motivated by love and a desire for the redemption and forgiveness of offenders—even when opposing their actions. Did this answer your question? 1 Star 2 Stars 3 Stars 4 Stars 5 Stars (3 votes, average: 3.67 out of 5) Loading ... Loading ... Post navigation Why is it Important Not to Treat Sexual Intimacy Casually? → Leave a Reply Cancel reply You must be logged in to post a comment. About questions.org The questions.org site provides a variety of answers to commonly asked questions covering numerous topics. By no means do we provide all the answers, but we do our best to provide you with biblically based answers to the questions you may be struggling with. We also hope to provide you with information that you can use to help others who are struggling to find answers to tough questions. Subscribe Facebook facebook.com/rbcministries Twitter twitter.com/rbcministries RSS questions.org/feed/ Categories [Select Category______] RBC Ministries * Newsletters * Podcasts * Mobile * Websites Devotionals * Our Daily Bread * My Utmost For His Highest * Our Daily Journey * Strength For The Journey Radio & TV * Day Of Discovery * Discover The Word * Sports Spectrum * Words To Live By * Our Daily Bread Radio Resources * 10 Reasons To Believe * Questions.org * Been Thinking About * Christian Courses * Christian University GlobalNet * Discovery Series * Help For My Life * Discovery House Publishers Blogs * Been Thinking About * Help For My Life * Our Daily Journey * YMIblogging RBC Ministries * Websites * About RBC Ministries * Mission And Vision * History * Principles * ODB Subscriptions * Events * Help 2.jpg 1.jpg VENGEANCEISMINE.ORG # # 147 VENGEANCE IS MINE 148 sayeth the Lord. From Leviticus in the Old Testament to Romans in the New both Christians and Jews have been told to # never seek vengeance against one another 147 but you shall love your # neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord 148 . Leviticus 19:18 # Every Christian child who ever went to Sunday school learned 147 Do not be # # overcome with evil but overcome evil with good 148 and 147 Therefore if # your enemy hungers feed him 148 . Romans 12:21 20 What goes wrong between childhood faith and belief and adult actions that ? # defy the fundamental principles of both religions America 146 s leaders the majority of whom loudly proclaim their Christianity to all the world seem to be spending every waking moment planning or carrying out vengeance of one kind or another against both the guilty and the innocent. Our Christian leaders are terrorizing and harassing our citizens under the guise of patriotism bombing and killing innocent peasants around the world incarcerating our children under inhumane conditions for minor infractions and promoting acts of vengeance even unto death against the Palestinian people and planning the final assault of the life support systems of Planet Eden. The leaders of our ally the State of Israel are likewise promoting and carrying out terroristic revenge against enemies both real and perceived. The terrors of the Holocaust should have taught these Jewish leaders that there is no justification for the commission of acts of violence and hate against others just because of their religious beliefs yet it is as if they # # have become infected by the same 147 Satan Virus 148 see # www.satanvirus.org that infected their ancestor 146 s oppressors. What evil lurks in the human heart that causes us to proclaim our love of ? God and then commit the very atrocities that God condemns Is it not clear in the Scriptures of both faiths that hate begets hate terrorism begets ? terrorism and vengeance begets vengeance # # # America 146 s so-called 147 Christian 148 leaders should get honest for once and stop pretending to love Jesus quit thumping Bibles and stop attending church services. I would have far more respect for them if they # publicly admitted that they did not give one tinker 146 s damn about what God or Jesus would want them to do because they were worshipers of money and power at any cost to the Earth or her peoples. # # # By the same token Israel 146 s so-called 147 Jewish 148 leaders should get honest for once and stop pretending to live by the law of Moses. Self-righteous hypocrisy is far worse in the eyes of God I fear than an # honest admission that they are morally and ethically corrupt and don 146 t give a damn about human rights. It would be far better however if the leaders of both America and Israel publicly confessed their sins repented and began to honestly live like genuine Christians and Jews. By beginning to love their neighbors as themselves a new era of hope peace and joy would eventually melt the ice in the hearts of those who have learned to hate us. Love begets love kindness begets kindness hope begets hope and peace begets peace. ETHICIUS I George H. Russell an outspoken opponent of the death penalty is a resident # # of Huntsville Texas known worldwide as 147 The City of Death. 148 He is founder of The Patriot Network and author of its 35 web-sites located at www.patriotnetwork.org as well as founder of The Universal Ethician Church an interfaith ministry with a worldwide following via the # church 146 s 275 web sites located at www.salvationnetwork.org. Russell born May 22 1945 is an educational video producer environmental activist historic preservation specialist photographer art and antique collector philanthropist American patriot and ethician. # Additional biographical information may be found in Who 146 s Who in America through Internet searches and in other publications. Images of Mr. Russell suitable for downloading for publication may be found at www.salvationnetwork.org. ________________________________________________________________________ To be included on our member list please send us an e-mail and provide the following information: Your name address and e-mail address. Please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions. We would love to hear from you How you can Help Click here to e-mail us Related Sites This site is sponsored by BibleLands.com Skip to Content Give Now IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=3 Home The Christian Century Thinking Critically. Living Faithfully. Search this site: _______________ Search * Blogs * News * Columns * Books * Current Issue * Archives * Home * Politics+Society * Arts+Culture * Ministry * Theology * Life of Faith * Subscribe (Print & Online) [user/subscribe] * Log In» * Register» * Manage Subscription» You are logged out. * Comment * * * Email * Print Attribution Some rights reserved by torbakhopper Features Justice or vengeance? The killing of bin Laden May 04, 2011 by Tobias Winright "For God and country. Geronimo, Geronimo, Geronimo!" These were reportedly the words the commander of the Navy SEAL team uttered in signaling that Osama bin Laden had been killed and his body captured. In a televised speech announcing this news, President Obama asserted that "justice has been done," and he concluded with lines from the Pledge of Allegiance, along with a parting "May God bless America." Earlier on the same day, the second Sunday of Easter, also known as Divine Mercy Sunday, Roman Catholics and others around the world celebrated the beatification of Pope John Paul II. I write neither to cheer nor to jeer about either the killing of bin Laden or the jubilant response by many Americans to his death. I pray that my identity as a baptized Christian takes precedence when the ways of the nation—including actions by the government and the military but also attitudes and activities among many of my fellow citizens (and, alas, many fellow Christians)—are in tension with the ways of God as revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Is the God being invoked by the commander and the president the same God invoked during the beatification ceremony? What kind of justice was done in the killing of bin Laden? Unquestionably, bin Laden was responsible for terrorist acts of mass murder of Americans and others, including fellow Muslims, around the world. Vatican spokesperson Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, observed: "Osama bin Laden, as we all know, bore the most serious responsibility for spreading divisions and hatred among populations, causing the deaths of innumerable people, and manipulating religions to this end." Nevertheless, as John Paul II wrote in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae ("The Gospel of Life"), because God "is always merciful even when he punishes" evildoers, "not even a murderer loses his personal dignity, and God himself pledges to guarantee this." I am well aware of how difficult it is to view a murderer as possessing dignity. As a former law enforcement officer in both corrections and policing, I have seen my share of evil. Yet there it is—the view that even murderers still have some dignity is part of a cornerstone of Catholic teaching about the sanctity of life rooted in our being made in God's image and likeness. Accordingly, in the Vatican statement, Fr. Lombardi added: "In the face of a man's death, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibilities of each person before God and before men, and hopes and works so that every event may be the occasion for the further growth of peace and not of hatred." I do not expect all Americans to share this view, but I do hope that Americans who are Christians allow it to shape their attitudes and actions. Of course, for many Christians this teaching does not mean that a murderer should go unpunished or be allowed to continue to threaten people. Force may be used to protect the innocent. But it must be justified and employed in accordance with the criteria of the just war tradition. Space does not permit me to conduct an analysis of the war on terror or of every angle of this particular action. (Was it legal? Was it an assassination? Was it the result of information gained through torture?) I'll focus on one aspect that relates to the attitude of celebration on our city streets and university campuses, and for this I'll turn to St. Augustine (354–430), who offered some important lessons for Christians who claim to embark upon just wars. Augustine anchored the justice of war with God's divine will in creation, wherein God created humankind to live in a just and peaceable community. Just wars are supposed to restore and maintain a semblance of that tranquil order. The aim of a just war—its right intent—should be to restore a just and lasting peace. Augustine wrote, Peace should be the object of your desire. War should be waged only as a necessity and waged only that through it God may deliver men from that necessity and preserve them in peace. For peace is not to be sought in order to kindle war, but war is to be waged in order to obtain peace. Therefore even in the course of war you should cherish the spirit of a peacemaker. He argued that wars were justified to defend the innocent, avenge injuries, punish wrongs, and to take back something wrongfully taken. He ruled out revenge and vengeance, let alone mere retributive justice. Rather—and this is tied to his understanding of right intent—his hope was to have evil persons repent and reform, thereby restoring the peace. "We do not ask for vengeance on our enemies on this earth. Our sufferings ought not constrict our spirits so narrowly that we forget the commandments given to us. . . . We love our enemies and we pray for them. That is why we desire their reform and not their deaths." Augustine did not think that just war contradicted Jesus' injunction to love one's enemies. Just war is a form of love in going to the aid of an unjustly attacked innocent party; however, it is also an expression of love, or "kind harshness," for one's enemy neighbor. It aims at turning the enemy from his wicked ways and toward making amends and helping him rejoin the community of peace and justice. "Therefore, even in waging war," Augustine wrote, "cherish the spirit of a peacemaker, that, by conquering those whom you attack, you may lead them back to the advantages of peace." But, one may ask, how is this a benefit or how is it loving for those enemies who are killed on the battlefield? Augustine replied, "Let necessity, therefore, and not your will, slay the enemy who fights against you." According to the latest reports, bin Laden was unarmed when he was shot above the eye and in the chest—which leads a number of commentators to question whether these lethal shots were necessary. Split-second decision making by special forces personnel, as with police, especially in the dark and in a building where hostile fire has already occurred, is indeed very difficult. If bin Laden had raised his arms in surrender and still had been shot, I would call that shooting as unnecessary. Augustine added that a mournful mood should accompany even justified force. In his view, the "real evils in war are love of violence, revengeful cruelty, fierce and implacable enmity, wild resistance, and the lust of power," all of which would be at odds with restoring a just peace. At the end of the day, even though he regarded just war as congruent with Christian love, Augustine held on to the belief that "it is a higher glory still to stay war itself with a word, than to slay men with a sword, and to procure or maintain peace by peace, not by war." If the God that Augustine had in mind when he formulated these reflections were to shape how we think about war, I doubt there would be much room, if any, for celebrations about what has been said to have been done "for God and country." Join the Conversation * Log in or register to post comments. Comments What is the point? Posted by Anonymous on May 04, 2011 - 12:58 pm. This article jumps in so many directions that it is hard to respond to. Is the writer merely saying that celebration is not in order? Or is the writer arguing that this was an unjust action? Pick a point and make it. This article commits the fatal flaw of trying to make a judgment about an action by judging people's reactions to or words about the action. I have a more extensive response to Volf's (more logical) argument at this blog. But two points are in order: 1. The Vatican did not condemn or judge this action, although this article seems to imply that it did. 2. It is a weighty thing to declare the actions of another person/nation are outside of the just war tradition. To imply that without careful reasoning is a mistake. How does this writer know the attitude or the motiviation of people involved? http://defendingobama.blogspot.com/2011/05/disputing-volf-on-pakistan.h tml * Log in or register to post comments. Reply to "What is the point?" Posted by Anonymous on May 04, 2011 - 01:58 pm. Maybe you should read this post again before you comment, if you think it goes in too many directions. Is there a mandate against making multiple points in one blog post? The "fatal flaw" you outline here makes absolutely no sense, but thanks for plugging your own blog, anyway. Geez. As for your two bullet points, if you know anything about this writer, you know that he can very well reason out whether something aligns within just war tradition or not, according to the criteria of the tradition, not his own personal feelings. I'm sure he'd be glad to share his thoughts on that, but as he points out here, he doesn't have room to go into the whole discussion in one blog post. He has probably already published articles on that very discusion, as that is an area of expertise for him. Also, is it that difficult to tell the attitude or motivation of the military operatives and civilians he's referring to here, based on the responses we have heard and seen in the media? And what does that question have to do with judging whether an action meets the just war criteria? Just war doesn't consider personal motivation or attitude, but whether the use of force is carried out with "right intent." Maybe you need to check it out some more, before you comment. -Betzy * Log in or register to post comments. Well said Posted by Anonymous on May 06, 2011 - 11:35 am. Betzy, maybe you are right. Maybe I did not read it carefully enough and maybe I am looking for more than is possible from a blog post. I do understand the just war tradition but this just seemed like he want from a reflection about celebration to a reflection/judgment based on a too short discussion of the tradition and it left me genuinely confused. But I probably did need to read it again. thanks Greg * Log in or register to post comments. Reply to "What is the point?" Posted by Anonymous on May 04, 2011 - 02:10 pm. Anonymous: If you think this post goes in too many directions, maybe you should read it through again before you respond. Is there a mandate that a blog post can only make one point? Also, the “fatal flaw” you point out makes absolutely no sense, but thanks for shamelessly plugging your own blog, anyway. Geez. As for your two numbered points, I disagree with you. The writer quotes the statement from the Vatican as a guide for Christians’ response to the event. That’s it. If you know anything about this writer, you know that he could very well share with you a lot of reasoning about whether or not this action meets with the just war tradition, based on just war criteria, not his own personal feelings. As he mentions, a blog post is not the place to go into great detail about that debate, though he could go into great detail, as that is an area of expertise for him. He has published works about just war theory and the application of it in modern military and policing action. Further, are the attitudes of the military operatives and the President unknown to us, after all that the media has shared with us? I don’t think so. And even if we don’t know their complete motivation, just war theory doesn’t take into account personal motivation or attitude, save in the expression of “right intent” in regard to a particular application of the use of force. It sounds like you need to look into it more, not the writer of this post. -Betzy * Log in or register to post comments. Oops Posted by Anonymous on May 04, 2011 - 03:20 pm. I apologize for posting twice. I was stupid not to realize the delay that would occur before a post would show. Clearly, I need to learn more about posting to blog posts before I do that again. Mea culpa. * Log in or register to post comments. Thoughtful reflection, thanks. Posted by Anonymous on May 04, 2011 - 06:45 pm. Thanks for that analysis, Dr. Winwright. There are indeed lots of questions to ask as we sort through the unfolding reports and try to dig into the wisdom of the just war tradition. I find your claim that even the most hardened criminal or terrorist retains human dignity to be both true but challenging. Also, I wish we knew more about the firefight and whether the SEAL team was instructed to assassinate, or capture if possible. Of course we'll never know what would have happened if he had been captured. The ideal situation would probably have been through the judicial process. But would that have given OBL more opportunity to recruit followers? * Log in or register to post comments. Winright has good comments, but we don't know all the facts Posted by Anonymous on May 05, 2011 - 09:50 am. We don't know all the facts surrounding the death of bin Laden, so Winright's comments, insightful as they are, are based on shifting sand with respect to this specific case. Let's wait to find out more facts before drawing conclusions. I don't think most serious-minded Christians, be they liberal, conservative, or somewhere in between, celebrate the taking of a human life. I think they do, however, and with much justification, celebrate the neutralizing of a force that has taken thousands of innocent human lives and would have undoubtedly continued that course were it not stopped. * Log in or register to post comments. facts, and truth. from the neo-ana-baptist Posted by schoff on May 06, 2011 - 09:59 am. I responded to Miroslav's postings, and I am truly glad that we are talking about Augustine and no longer the Peace of Westphalia. My co-communicants of course in ana-baptism would question the concept of "just war", but at least we have theology speaking to culture and not ideology. As a preliminary concept I would like to posit that Augustine would not have applied "just war" to bin laden, he would have applied ex-Roman Law of crucifiction to a rebel. While we might extrapolate a bit from "just war", broadly it is inapplicable. I think as theologians (as all good Catholics are to be) and as Dr. Winright is formally, we need to be less concerned (maybe because we will never really know) what the end of this man's life says. But, what the facts of his whole life, or at least his jihad project, says, to understad how we construct a theology of polis or "political theology" to engage in these situations. Based on that project we hold ourselves and the various political constructs to that standard of truth. When a man or a group decides to fight a state or states, and kills people in that fight both officers/actors of the state, as well as random onlookers, what would be standards of justice and the means? Where does one start Aquinas? The Mitvah? Beyond justice, as an individual who is a mere communicant in the Body of Christ, not sanctioned to dispense justice, but enjoying the fruits of it in a peaceful community/state, what are my duties in consideration of this murderous and unrepentant imago dei, and should justice be done what should be my homily, should it include thankfulness, etc.? There is some of that in Winright and Miroslav, but not in my mind yet fully developed. By way of reference, in the main, for the US, the standard of Justice for murder, specifically multiple, mass, and under the "Model Penal Code" "special circumstances" - is death. After ten years of public discussion the US has yet come to a consensus on which of the three/four historical frameworks of law (the shadow of justice) should be used - ie the means of justice. I am not suggesting that is an area to discuss here. * Log in or register to post comments. split-second decision-making Posted by Anonymous on May 09, 2011 - 09:24 am. The Navy SEAL team may have made a split-second decision on whether to shoot. However, we don't really know because, thus far, the President has not clearly stated whether capture was ever contemplated. (His comments seem to indicate that it was not.) I watched the interview on 60 Minutes with anticipation, hoping (against hope) that there would be some moral depth to the questions. Instead we heard softball questions and the tired analogy of spiking a football. When the President saw the photo of the body with part of the skull blown away, his reaction was, 'That's him'. Really? Was there no fear of God? No dread for the soul of this person who had done so much evil? It may well be the President's view that capture was not feasible. I just want to hear him discuss it, rather than dismiss those who express interest in the ethical dimension of his actions as needing to "have their heads examined." This man is more than capable of a sophisticated discussion in this arena. However, he seems intent on playing the commander-in-chief role. Is he going to stick with this one-note electoral cycle performance? I pray that the President proves otherwise in the days to come. * Log in or register to post comments. osama Posted by Anonymous on May 09, 2011 - 01:29 pm. Let's get our heads out of our proverbial hind quarters on this one. I'm with our gutsy president: anyone who does not realize the death of Bin Laden is a good thing should have their head examined. Taking this fellow out saves us a lot of head tripping conversation, legal wrangling, and pointless figner pointing. * Log in or register to post comments. Heads out of hind quarters Posted by Anonymous on May 09, 2011 - 02:41 pm. I'm with you. While I don't support the taking of life as punsihment for the taking of life in this instance I believe justice was done. The world is a better place without UBL. JL * Log in or register to post comments. Ancient Wisdom Posted by Anonymous on May 09, 2011 - 02:48 pm. Tao Te ChingWritten by Lao-tzu Chapter 31 Weapons are the tools of violence; all decent men detest them. Weapons are the tools of fear; a decent man will avoid them except in the direst necessity and, if compelled, will use them only with the utmost restraint. Peace is his highest value. If the peace has been shattered, how can he be content? His enemies are not demons, but human beings like himself. He doesn't wish them personal harm. Nor does he rejoice in victory. How could he rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men? He enters a battle gravely, with sorrow and with great compassion, as if he were attending a funeral. * Log in or register to post comments. Tao Te Ching Posted by Anonymous on May 09, 2011 - 09:03 pm. Thank you. The sacred writings of most religious traditions, the philosophical truths of various cultures, and the prevailing wisdom of the ages on matters having to do with war and peace, justice and love, suffering and mercy, pain and compassion share a common theme. It is captured well in this piece by Loa-tzu. Unfortunately, all too many of those created in the image of God look the other way when it is convenient to do so. The sad part of the reaction to the death of Osama bin Laden is the fact that many saw it as a reason to celebrate. Just what are they celebrating and why? Are we now free and secure from any further threats to our well-being? Hardly. Life goes on. There will be more violence, wars will continue, enemies will be demonized, and we will yearn for peace. Scripture reminds us to ",,,be vigilant. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour." (1 Peter 5:8 - NRSV) We live with evil in us and among us. I once saw a bumper sticker which read: "When Jesus said: 'Love your enemies, I think he meant don't kill them.'" Bin Laden is dead. Sober-minded people will find little about that in which to rejoice. And certainly not for God and country. Roger P.S. Why all the anonymity? If you have something to say, put a name to it. * Log in or register to post comments. Vengeance is ... Posted by ounbbl on May 09, 2011 - 10:29 pm. God's vengeance is God's love of justice. * Log in or register to post comments. I thank God the leader of the Posted by Anonymous on May 10, 2011 - 09:18 am. I thank God the leader of the 9/11 terrorism has been laid to rest. GOD BLESS HIS SOUL! * Log in or register to post comments. A Needed Discussion, Not Only Here Posted by Anonymous on May 10, 2011 - 08:57 am. For such a small space, a very needed discussion of an important topic. The criticism is unwarranted. The night Bin Laden's death was announced, I was in Washington, DC, on business and walked right by the White House on the space that would be filled by revelers an hour later. I walked by as they must have been setting up whatever technology was needed to broadcast. Every time I walk by the White House, I wonder both what momentous decisions are being made and what mundane thing a president is doing in the privacy of the family quarters. I imagine him falling asleep in front of the TV after a long day, the same as I do often. After a drink in the hotel bar nearby, I went to my room and heard shouts in the street, one of those plastic horns from the World Cup bleating. I turned on the television and learned what had taken place. I thought about going out to be part of history but stayed in my room, troubled. The next day, my daughter at school in Missouri sent a video of students there celebrating with a sarcastic comment about being in school in Missouri. She need not have been sarcastic about Missouri. The same celebration took place in the most culturally liberal places of our nation, too. I am glad in a way to learn that, despite our family's overall lack of religiosity, of our less than stellar involvement in church, that the basic tenents expressed so clearly by St. Augustine in this matter are close to our hearts. I have concluded that I will never know whether this was a just killing. None of us will ever know exactly what transpired between that young man and an infamous old man in a matter of seconds, or even 10 minutes if the report of the woman who was there can be believed. What I value is that we have this discussion and wish those of us who ask these questions could find better ways to see that the larger public discussions going on around u s reflect what we think. However valuable picking apart anything is, let's not stop at the picking. * Log in or register to post comments. Generation Gap Posted by Anonymous on May 10, 2011 - 12:29 pm. I serve a congregation in a college town. Like the author, I consider myself a follower of just war theory. I preached on Sunday with great ambivilance about the celebrations that occurred on our campus and around the country. I agree that any violent killing--no matter the character of the deceased--is a time for serious reflection not joyous celebration. Yet, I am not 20 having lived in a world always shaped by fear and terror. This conflict with terrorists does not fit very neatly into traditional just war theory where there is often an assumption of nation states with legitimate rulers. This war will never have a V-E or V-J Day. Al Quaida and even bin Laden cannot sign a peace accord or surrender. This event is the closest thing that young adults will have to a "victory." So, as distasteful as I think it is, it is hard for me to sit in judgment of their celebrations. President Obama did say that capture of bin Laden was an option. But in this "asymmetical warfare" how could a real trial have happened? How could UBL have been kept secure, and how could there be an impartial jury? I have been heartened by the conversations that are occurring in our congregation. I hope that happens in and between communities of faith all over. Thank you for helping that conversation along, Christian Century! * Log in or register to post comments. A new post Posted by Anonymous on May 17, 2011 - 09:46 am. This article has prompted thoughts for me that I have put together in a new blog post with the same title as Winright's post. http://defendingobama.blogspot.com/2011/05/justice-or-vengeance.html * Log in or register to post comments. Letter from Jon Fogleman Posted by Letters to CC on Jun 22, 2011 - 01:35 pm. Tobias Winright provided an excellent reflection on the killing of Osama bin Laden (“Justice or vengeance?” May 31). His reference to Augustine’s belief that “a mournful mood should accompany even justified force” is timely. I am currently reading Amish Grace: How Forgiveness Transcended Tragedy (2007), an account of the Amish response to the massacre of five little girls and the serious wounding of five others in a Pennsylvania schoolhouse in 2006. The Amish response of forgiveness of the killer and their expressions of grace to his family are remarkable. The reader is reminded that “in keeping with their emphasis on following Jesus,” the Amish people “consider Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount among the most important texts in the Scriptures.” On the same page, an Amish minister is quoted: “Forgiveness is all about Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount and loving our enemies.” I prefer the Amish emphasis on Jesus’ understanding of forgiveness and grace and nonviolence as articulated in their tradition to Augustine’s just war theory when it comes to reflecting on these matters. Jon Fogleman Guelph, Ont. * Log in or register to post comments. Letter from Bud Dixen Posted by Letters to CC on Jun 22, 2011 - 01:36 pm. The conversation surrounding the killing of bin Laden is replete with hand-wringing by those who contend it was a bad but necessary thing to kill him. They then go on to state that they feel terrible about it. They want it both ways--we shouldn’t dance in the streets, but we should be happy it happened. They evoke Augustine’s just war theory. I’m not buying a bit of it. My résumé does not include the words “perfect disciple,” but we who have been baptized, confirmed and in some cases ordained said we would follow Jesus. I hear people today saying they will follow Jesus if it’s convenient or if it doesn’t go beyond their need for revenge or if it doesn’t conflict with our national interest. Years ago Martin Marty said we love our enemies until we actually have some. I fear he is right. Bud Dixen Circle Pines, Minn. * Log in or register to post comments. Letter from Lyman Newton Posted by Letters to CC on Jun 22, 2011 - 01:36 pm. According to Hebrew literature, when the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and were able to cross on dry land, the waters came back and drowned the Egyptians--and there was great rejoicing. But then someone said to God, “Why aren’t you happy?” God looked at him sorrowfully and said, “The Egyptians were my children too.” Nothing has been said about the mother of Osama bin Laden. What might she have been thinking? What does a mother think when her son submits to capital punishment? Perhaps there is another side of this story. Lyman Newton Batavia, Ill. * Log in or register to post comments. Join the Conversation via Facebook To post a comment, log in, register, or use the Facebook comment box. IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=4 IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=5 Author Tobias Winright Tobias Winright teaches theological ethics at Saint Louis University. He edited and contributed to Green Discipleship: Catholic Theological Ethics and the Environment (Anselm Academics). * Articles by Tobias Winright More from this Issue May 31, 2011 Vol. 128 No. 11 Amy Frykholm and Steve Thorngate on church membership, Tobias Winright on the killing of bin Laden, Craig Barnes on his two grandmothers. Join the Conversation To post a comment, log in, register, or use the Facebook comment box. Support the Christian Century The Century's work relies primarily on subscriptions and donations. Thank you for supporting nonprofit journalism. Subscribe Donate Support us by buying books: [amazon-logo-228w.jpg] [powellsbadge2_0.jpg] [shopindiered.png] [horizontal_score_for_rh_sidebar_1.png] IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=6 IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=7 IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=8 IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=1 IFRAME: http://ads.christiancentury.org/ads/ad.lasso?spot=17 Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter * All RSS Feeds * About Us * Subscription Help * Classifieds * Advertising * Contact Us © 2015 The Christian Century. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy #publisher Bible Sprout » Feed Bible Sprout » Comments Feed Bible Sprout RSS2 Feed * Twitter * Facebook * Gplus * About Bible Sprout * What We Believe * Meet Our Team * Link to Us * Contact Us Bible Sprout * Online Bible + Verse-by-Verse + Reading Bible * Christian Articles + About God + About Jesus Christ + About the Bible + About Heaven & Hell + About Salvation + About Religions + About The Church + About Christian Living + View All * Study Resources + Devotionals + Lexicons + Dictionaries + Concordances + Commentaries + Bible History + Classic Bible Writings + View All * Blog * About Us + Our Team + Contact Us + Link to Us + Resources * Search Revenge – Is Vengeance a Sin? Should Christians Retaliate? The question of nonretaliation or nonviolence is often discussed in relation to Matthew 5:38-42. These verses serve to drive home the point that a Christian, rather than avenging himself upon a brother who has done him a personal wrong, should go to the opposite extreme. “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. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. (Matthew 5: 38-42). In these verses Jesus was referring to the actions of evil or malicious persons. The principle of retaliation (lex talionis) is common in both Jewish and other ancient Near Eastern law codes (i.e., THE CODE OF HAMMURABI). The judicial penalty of “an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth” is stated in Exodus 21:24 as a means of ending feuds. Never a License for Vengeance, but for Equal Justice However, Jesus is clearly saying this method is not a license for vengeance. Many times an offended person will overreact to an offense or injury and retaliate in such a way as to return in like manner (i.e., an injury for an injury; an insult for an insult, etc.). The Jews in those days frequently attempted to retaliate against their offenders through the arm of the law, especially in a nation dominated by a foreign power. Jesus’ point in verse 39 is that we (as individuals) should “resist not evil.” Evil is seen here not as a state, but rather as actions of the evil ones or the malicious ones. It represents the evil and sinful element in man which provokes him to an act of evil. Jesus shows in this verse how the individual believer should respond to personal injury. He is not discussing the government’s obligation to maintain law and order. Neither do these verses, nor do any other verses in the Bible, mean that a man should not defend his family or his country, but rather that he should not attempt personal vengeance, to compensate for personal injury. Jesus made these statements to remind those who would be His disciples not to expect divine justice from an unregenerate society. All justice ultimately is in the hand and the heart of God. As long as human governments prevail, justice will be limited by man’s finite abilities. The believer is to place his total confidence in the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of his individual life. The life of the believer is to be lived with such a quality of spiritual veracity and justice that he needs no physical retaliation in order to defend or justify his position. There is no greater example of this truth than the life and death of our Savior, Himself. Christians Should Beware of Vengeful Actions The proper attitude of a Christian regarding vengeance is illustrated by Jesus when giving His sermon on the Mount: “And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well” (Matthew 5:40). This passage does not mean that a man should not defend his family (property) or his country, but rather that he should not attempt personal vengeance, even through the means of the law, to compensate for a personal injury … goes against the believer. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, p. 25.) All justice ultimately is in the hand and heart of God. “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19; see also verses 20-21). Self-vengeance has no place in the Christian life. We are told to make room for divine retribution to operate and therefore to “give place unto wrath” means to allow God to bring His vengeance to bear on those of the world, rather than taking revenge ourselves. The Proper Christian Action The proper attribute of Christians (Christ-like) is to “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). We are not to give a place for wrath in our dealings with men, but rather give that place to God’s wrath… As believers we must resist the impulse to retaliate but rather we promote our sanctification by doing good to those who do evil to us. Therefore we exhibit our life of transformation before a watching world. (Liberty Bible Commentary, Vol. II, pp. 395-396.) We must be careful about how we view material possessions. These earthly possessions are at the mercy of “moth and rust…and … thieves.” Even if temporal possessions escape the clutches of the marauder, they are still likely to become moth-eaten and rusty. In other words, they do not last. “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: But lay up yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). The following two tabs change content below. * Bio * Latest Posts Dr. Elmer Towns Dr. Elmer Towns is a college and seminary professor, an author of popular and scholarly works (the editor of two encyclopedias), a popular seminar lecturer, and dedicated worker in Sunday school, and has developed over 20 resource packets for leadership education.His personal education includes a B.S. from Northwestern College in Minneapolis, Minnesota, a M.A. from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary also in Dallas, a MRE from Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois, and a D.Min. from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.He is co-founder of Liberty University, with Jerry Falwell, in 1971, and was the only full-time teacher in the first year of Liberty’s existence. Today, the University has over 11,400 students on campus with 39,000 in the Distance Learning Program (now Liberty University Online), and he is the Dean of the School of Religion.Dr. Towns has given theological lectures and taught intensive seminars at over 50 theological seminaries in America and abroad. He holds visiting professorship rank in five seminaries. He has written over 2,000 reference and/or popular articles and received six honorary doctoral degrees. Four doctoral dissertations have analyzed his contribution to religious education and evangelism. Latest posts by Dr. Elmer Towns (see all) Search  ____________________ Free Resource of the Month eBook-small IFRAME: //www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook. com%2Fbiblesprout&width&height=3000&colorscheme=light&show_faces=true&h eader=false&stream=false&show_border=false Popular * datingcouple 3 Ways Christian Parents Can Prepare Their Kids for Dat...November 12, 2014 - 9:53 am * mental-illness-unemployment Mental Illness and the Christian ResponseMay 14, 2014 - 8:02 pm * jealousy How Can I Overcome Jealousy?October 24, 2014 - 2:09 pm * truelove How Can I Date Without Being Desperate?August 13, 2014 - 5:30 pm * 13153221935_58034d137e_b The Girl Sat Alone and CriedJune 25, 2014 - 4:13 pm Recent * datingcouple 3 Ways Christian Parents Can Prepare Their Kids for Dat...November 12, 2014 - 9:53 am * jealousy How Can I Overcome Jealousy?October 24, 2014 - 2:09 pm * truelove How Can I Date Without Being Desperate?August 13, 2014 - 5:30 pm * 44889455_598d093018_o Sanctification HappensAugust 4, 2014 - 2:47 pm * 13153221935_58034d137e_b The Girl Sat Alone and CriedJune 25, 2014 - 4:13 pm Comments * Mandy Julian Pastor Aaron, This is awesome. 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The...May 14, 2014 - 8:02 pm by Dan McDevitt Tags Age of the Earth Apologetics ark Astronomy bible Creation dating depression Dinosaurs Education Evangelism faith Flood & Geology Fossils & Ancient Man god God & the Bible God's Characteristics God's Will grace historical hopelessness jesus Jesus Christ love marital marriage mental illness mercy movie noah Radiometric Dating Redemption Religion & Philosophy russell crowe Salvation Sanctification sanctify Sex sexuality sin Social Issues Spiritual Maturity suicide Transcendence waiting © BibleSprout.com 2014 * About Bible Sprout * What We Believe * Meet Our Team * Link to Us * Contact Us Scroll to top TRENDING # MtPStabbing # FatalShootings # Sharks # WayneDeWitt # Uber # TillDeath pclogo Clear 57 ____________________ Go Christian bikers calling for God s vengeance on Jamestown police officer Weather Forecast Radar Temperature 57 14 C Feels Like 57 14 C Humidity 79 Winds 7mph Powered by Weather Underground Sections News Sports Politics Food Entertainment Features Opinion Obituaries Classifieds Subscribe Categories Local Crime Business Death Notices Databases Special Reports Interactive Graphics Latest News Ginny Deerin files paperwork tied to mayor of Charleston bid Ginny Deerin files paperwork tied to mayor of Charleston bid __________________________________________________________________ Charleston Gold rice takes center stage at party Charleston Gold rice takes center stage at party __________________________________________________________________ Designer Shoe Warehouse to open 15 000-square-foot store in Mount Pleasant Designer Shoe Warehouse to open 15 000-square-foot store in Mount Pleasant Additional Links Brian Hicks Frank Wooten Social Media Blog Homicides Map Hurricane Guide Traffic Cams Till Death Do Us Part Categories Prep Zone South Carolina Clemson Local Colleges Minor Leagues Outdoors Golf Auto Racing National Sports Latest News Quarterback defense remain South Carolina s biggest question marks for 2015 Quarterback defense remain South Carolina s biggest question marks for 2015 __________________________________________________________________ UNC Wilmington edges College of Charleston 58-56 in OT UNC Wilmington edges College of Charleston 58-56 in OT __________________________________________________________________ Radakovich recaps playoff committee experience Howard s Rock vandal s charges intensify Radakovich recaps playoff committee experience Howard s Rock vandal s charges intensify Additional Links Gene Sapakoff Recruiting News Clemson Blog South Carolina Blog Citadel Blog Pro Wrestling News Sports Medicine Categories Legislature State Government Local Politics State Politics Federal Politics Elections Latest News Ginny Deerin files paperwork tied to mayor of Charleston bid Ginny Deerin files paperwork tied to mayor of Charleston bid __________________________________________________________________ Mitt Romney says climate change presents a big challenge to US Mitt Romney says climate change presents a big challenge to US __________________________________________________________________ Obama shuns South Carolina for well just about everywhere else Obama shuns South Carolina for well just about everywhere else Additional Links Find your precinct State Republicans State Democrats Congressional Voting Records 2014 General Election Results Track political finances Categories Reviews Openings Recipes Beverages Seasonal Foods Latest News Charleston Gold rice takes center stage at party Charleston Gold rice takes center stage at party __________________________________________________________________ Chillie bears promoted to palate cleanser Chillie bears promoted to palate cleanser __________________________________________________________________ Craig Deihl debuts chestnut-fed charcuterie Craig Deihl debuts chestnut-fed charcuterie Additional Links Charleston Eating Tour Hanna Raskin Blog # 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This snapshot of a Jamestown patrol car video taken Saturday shows a biker losing control of his motorcycle moments before the cruiser passes the pack according to Chief Jay High. PROVIDED Christian bikers were calling for the vengeance of God on a police officer they say ran them off the road Saturday during a charity ride through Jamestown. The town s police chief said some bikers fell when they locked up their brakes when the officer got behind them after they disregarded a stop sign. The Highway Patrol was called in to handle the accident. A spokeswoman for the agency said Thursday afternoon that an incident report would be available Friday. Jamestown is a tiny town in Berkeley County known for the Hell Hole Swamp Festival and traffic tickets. The main attraction is the gas station and convenience store at the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-A and S.C. Highway 41. A police officer is often at the gas station to nab anybody who disregards the speed limit or the stop signs. About 40 to 50 members and friends of the Disciple Christian Motorcycle Club were riding through the Lowcountry Saturday to raise money for the American Diabetes Association Club President James Johnson said. The route took them east on U.S. 17-A through Jamestown. Several of the bikers stopped at the intersection to watch traffic while the other bikers went through the intersection as a group Johnson said. The bikers say two officers came out of the gas station after them and one of them caused several bikes to wreck as he came around them on the left. Three bikers were taken to a hospital for treatment including a 17-year-old girl who was scraped up pretty badly but is recovering. The reaction on Facebook was outrage. Please pray for those injured Johnson posted on his Facebook page. And the vengeance of God on that Officer. He got several amens. Praying that the sword of righteousness comes down on this officers head William Heaton posted. Vengeance is mine sayeth the LORD David Winchell added. Johnson s tone was more moderate when contacted by telephone this week. I ve been advised by our attorney just to say that there was an incident involving the Jamestown Police Department where several motorcycles went down he said. Katheryn Cousins-Brennan of Goose Creek the mother of the 17-year-old was more outspoken. She and her husband were riding with their two daughters Saturday. The officers aggressive actions caused a chain reaction she said. The officer came over into their lane and forced them off the road. I am very distraught and upset about this. Jamestown Police Chief Jay High said the Jamestown police officer and a Berkeley County deputy were not at fault. A large group of motorcycles disregarded a stop sign and while a county deputy was attempting a traffic stop from the rear my officer activated his blue lights and siren and began passing riders on the left in another lane to catch up to the foremost riders he said. During this time some bikes abruptly slowed and one locked up his brakes and went down. This accident was not related to the officer s actions but was captured up ahead of him by his in-car video. The chief was not available to show the video late Thursday afternoon but offered to show it at a later time. He sent some screen shots from the video by email. He said the video showed that the bikers locked their brakes and went down while the officer was behind them and that the officer passed the bikers in the left lane. No tickets were issued because the crowd was getting out of hand and the officers didn t want the situation to escalate High said. When you have a large group like that mob mentality rules he said. The Jamestown officer didn t write up a report because he didn t issue any tickets and was not involved in the accident High said. The Berkeley County Sheriff s Office did not respond to a request for information on the deputy s actions Saturday. Charleston attorney Frank Cornely is representing some of the bikers. He said he was researching the accident and had not yet seen any reports or the video Thursday. It s really kind of sketchy he said. Reach Dave Munday at 937-5553. Earlier versions of this story incorrectly identified U.S. Highway 17-A. Keywords Related Stories Accident reports shed little light on Christian bikers Jamestown complaint Enlarge EP-140629470.jpg Maxw 620 q 85 Comments Notice about comments: The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the enhanced ability to comment on stories. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We ask that you refrain from profanity hate speech personal comments and remarks that are off point. 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This past November, in the town of Sangla Hill in Pakistan’s Punjab Province, it served as the trigger for something worse: religious riots and violence against members of Pakistan’s minority Christian population. Yousuf Masih, a 40-year-old Christian, won several thousand rupees playing cards with a Muslim neighbor. The angry loser retaliated by filing an allegation with the local police that Masih had set fire to a copy of the Korana punishable offense under Pakistani law. Within hours, rumors that a Christian had insulted the Islamic scripture were circulating throughout town. Local Muslim clerics used mosque loudspeakers to call on the faithful to avenge the insult. The result: the next day, Nov. 12, 2005, a mob of over 2,500 men (some from Sangla Hill, others from nearby Punjabi villages) attacked buildings belonging to the town’s minority Christian community. They set fire to three churches and vandalized a Catholic convent and a Christian elementary school. Local Christian families were forced to flee or go into hiding. Police did nothing to restrain the violencebut they did arrest the luckless Christian card-player Yousuf Masih. When I visited the Punjabi city of Lahore in December, local Christians showed me photographs of the destruction at Sangla Hill: a marble altar smashed to rubble, a tabernacle lying dented on the ground, a statue of the Virgin Mary that rioters had defaced with hammers. I was also shown a copy of a letter of protest dated Nov. 14 that had been sent to Pakistan’s President Pevez Musharraf immediately after the violence in Sangla Hill. Signed by prominent Pakistani Catholic and Protestant church leaders, the letter identified a salient factor in the recurrent violence against the country’s religious minorities in recent years: Ordinance 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code. The Blasphemy Law Ordinance 295commonly referred to as the blasphemy lawdates back to the 1980’s and the reign of the military dictator General Zia ul-Haq. Zia sought to legitimize his dictatorship by indulging the fundamentalist-minded mullahs of Pakistan’s various religious parties. Ordinance 295 gave them what they wanted. The law’s roots go back to the colonial era: the British Indian Penal Code provided two years’ jail time for persons convicted of religious insults or acts of desecration against any faith whatsoever. Zia’s regime updated this legislation by adding provisions designed specifically to safeguard Islam. Section 295-B of Zia’s law mandates life imprisonment for desecration of the Koran. Section 295-C goes further: it stipulates the death penalty for anyone who defames or insults the Prophet Muhammad. A progressive-minded legislator from Pakistan’s National Assembly whom I interviewed in Islamabad listed what he called three substantive legal problems with Ordinance 295. First, no evidence is required when filing a blasphemy complaint. The word of anyone claiming to be a witness is enough. Second, the alleged blasphemer is arrested and imprisoned as soon as the complaint is lodged. Defendants often remain in jail for months awaiting trial. Third, plaintiffs can make false accusations with little worry of punishment or any other legal repercussion. This third factor is especially important in light of recent data assembled by the National Commission for Justice and Peace, a human rights advocacy group established in 1985 by Pakistan’s Catholic Bishops Conference. The commission demonstrated that in over 100 cases in which defendants in recent blasphemy trials had been found innocent, the accusers were shown by the court to have been motivated by personal grudges or hope of financial gain. A Popular Law Despite the manifest injustice associated with Ordinance 295, President Musharraf, who has evinced a commitment to protect his country’s religious minorities, has been unable to bring about the repeal of the blasphemy law. It is simply too popular. Judging from interviews with Muslims and Christians in both the Punjab and the Northwest Frontier Province, I would say this law is widely accepted by many Muslimsespecially in rural areasbecause it is seen as a useful weapon for the defense of Islam. A Muslim professor in Peshawar explained to me that when rumors of blasphemy or Koran desecration circulate, many mosque preachers warn their congregations that Islam khatar mayn hay: Islam is in danger. This sense of endangerment comes from a widespread perception among Pakistani Muslims that they are a beleaguered minority. This might be surprising, since 97 percent of Pakistan’s population is Muslim. But it makes sense if one takes into account the feeling many Pakistanis have that they are overshadowed and threatened by neighboring Indiaa country that is not only much bigger than Pakistan but is also overwhelmingly Hindu. Hinduism is perceived by many Pakistani Muslims as fundamentally inimical to Islam. For many Pakistanis, their country is protected from being swallowed up, from disappearing, by its Islamic identity, which is symbolized by reverence for the Koran and devotion to the Prophet Muhammad’s honor. Ordinance 295 is popular because it is seen as safeguarding both of these. Many fundamentalist-minded Muslims question the loyalty of Pakistani Christians and members of other non-Muslim minorities, who are often accused of serving as agents for the United States and other foreign powers. Christians Speak Out But Pakistan’s Christian community is mobilizing to speak out collectively against sectarian discrimination and prejudice. On Dec. 20, Christians throughout the country observed a nationwide day of prayer and fasting to condemn the violence at Sangla Hill and the persecution of minorities in the name of religion. Additional nonviolent protests will continue throughout 2006 for the purpose of drawing attention to the injustice of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. Most of the individuals I interviewed preferred to remain anonymous because of the volatile politics surrounding Ordinance 295. One exception is Lawrence Saldanha, the Catholic archbishop of Lahore. Archbishop Saldanha, who is currently the president of Pakistan’s Catholic Bishops Conference, is spearheading a movement for the repeal of Sections B and C of Ordinance 295. In December we met in his office in Lahore’s Catholic Cathedral. He is fighting for the repeal, he told me, because this harmful ordinancewhich is worded so as to encourage slander against anyone designated an enemy of Islamhas provided a legal rationale for inciting interreligious violence and the persecution of minorities. Muslims Also Suffer But Christians are not the only ones who have suffered because of Pakistan’s blasphemy law. The Catholic Bishops Conference has pointed out that 50 percent of the individuals imprisoned under Ordinance 295 have been Muslims. They were denounced as apostates by fellow Muslimswhether out of religious zealotry or sheer opportunismon charges of questioning the Koran or showing insufficient reverence for the Prophet Muhammad’s legacy. (The remaining 50 percent of those imprisoned have been Christians, Hindus and Ahmadis.) The fact that Muslims have used Ordinance 295 to indict fellow Muslims points up the larger harm inflicted on Pakistan as a whole by this legislation. A Lahore-based Muslim intellectual told me, 295 makes it impossible to think out loud about Islam freely. We’re at risk of paralysis, both as a nation and as a religious tradition. For the good of all its citizens, it is time for Pakistan to repeal its blasphemy law. David Pinault is an associate professor of religious studies at Santa Clara University, Calif. 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