Eye for an Eye.

holly102869 · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 4:26 am Post subject: Eye for an Eye.

Just wanting some input on an eye for an eye. So many people use this when they are getting even with some one.

I thought we were to turn the other cheek.

My question is that if you love your neighbor should you believe in an eye for an eye?
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JB · Grizzly Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 745

holly102869

I would like to take a stab at this one. In Old Testament Israel, the Law was of the greatest importance. In this case the law of retaliation was know as being an exacting law. This law was put in place to prevent vigilante justice.

An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth (opqalmon anti opqalmou kai odonta anti odonto ). Note anti with the notion of exchange or substitution. The quotation is from Exodus 21:24; Deuteronomy 19:21; Leviticus 24:20. Like divorce this jus talionis is a restriction upon unrestrained vengeance. "It limited revenge by fixing an exact compensation for an injury" (McNeile). At the time the Mishna was developed (approx 400 BC) A money payment substitute was allowed according to the Mishna. The law of retaliation still exists in Arabia today.

Since we, are under Grace and not under the law, this doesn't apply any more.

JB

holly102869 · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:05 am Post subject:

Then maybe you can help me to understand why so many Christians justify using this statement. We have court systems to handle these things and I hear so many people getting even the same way. Are pasters not explaining to the parishes that you should not do this?

It is plain to me in Matthew 5-38,39

Turn the other cheek.
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JB · Grizzly Bear Joined: 16 Feb 2008 Posts: 745

holly102869

It is unfortunate that the Christan seeks to take revenge. If we are true to our belief that the world walks in darkness and that the scriptures are true, then we as Jesus did, would find compassion on even the most corrupt individuals. But there is another side to this. A legal system is required for those that are under the law, not those under Grace.

JB

45degreeN · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:28 am Post subject:

The Christian is not acting as a Christian when he insists upon revenge that is obvious and an unfortunate circumstance. As stated above the lex Talionis is a limit upon that revenge and at the time was a great advancement in human relations.

Prior to this new law it was "Might made right" whatever you could get away with because of your power was right. The ultimate revenge meant that for some slight insult one could kill the opponent. Of course some people insist that this rule is still in effect but they are not usually people claiming to be Christians.

Yes quite obviously Christ said to turn the other check and that is the Christian ideal. How many of us really accept that and actually do it is quite another thing altogether.
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holly102869 · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 6:20 am Post subject:

45,

Not many of us do, but the closer I get to Christ the more aware I am of it and all of the bad things that have happened to me have shown me what is truely important. I truely thankful for all my hardships in life they have waken me.

It just really bothers me when I hear people who are saying they are christian using this as a justifacation on the things they do. Then quoting scripture saying it okay because it is in the Bible.

All I can do is Pray for them because they know not what they do...
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RevJP · Moderator Joined: 18 Apr 2003 Posts: 6903 Location: USA

Holly, you can use the opportunity to explain to them how they are wrong and what the bible really says about how a Christian should act.

We are told to go out unto all nations making disciples - the opportunity for you to provide biblical education/correction is discipleship.
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ragman13 · German Shepherd Joined: 07 Jul 2007 Posts: 325

I may be way off here but I always took "an eye for an eye" to represent what we deserve, and "turn the other cheek" to represent what we can receive. God is justified in giving us what we deserve, but grace and mercy allows otherwise.
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Roster · Big Goldfish Joined: 09 May 2008 Posts: 66

First I will say. I don't believe anyone has to be a Christian to apply to turn the other cheek. Most people might think this to sound silly, but I know some people that are not Christians and have had the opportunity for pay back, but they simply believe in Karma and choose not too.

If I try to quote, I'm sure I'll mess something up, so I'll just copy and paste.

MoJo · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:03 am Post subject:

In point of fact, an eye for an eye is perfectly just. However, it lacks the act of mercy. **Recompence** for one's actions is a valid biblical concept.

However, recompence belongs to the Lord and not to us and we are told not to take these matters into our own hands.

Hbr 2:2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received **a just recompence** of reward;
Hbr 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard [him];

Deu 32:35 To me [belongeth] vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in [due] time: for the day of their calamity [is] at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Very Happy

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Zathrus · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject:

MoJo has brought up a great point. The "eye for eye" principle in the law of the old covenant shows how just the law is. And it reveals the justness of God's character.

But it shows no mercy.

Jesus taught turning the other cheek to reveal the mercy of God's character. He taught to Israel that they were to attain to this ideal because they were striving to abtain righteousness by the law. Therefore, His lesson to them in that teaching was that to truly have the same degree of holiness as God, to truly have his character, they would have to be all-merciful as He is.

In practical day to day life, as you've no doubt discovered, this is a difficult if not impossible standard to meet. And that is why God is God and we aren't. And as you've also noticed, there are people who prefer to reflect the just aspect of God's nature when it suits them because it can be more gratifying to the flesh then showing mercy.

Thanks be to God that He has shown us mercy through His Son Jesus Christ, though we fail to fully express either His justice or His mercy.
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45degreeN · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:16 pm Post subject:

Zathrus

Evee · Moderator Joined: 13 Sep 2005 Posts: 642

That was an awesome post, Zathrus.
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Nobby · Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 10:54 pm Post subject:

Yes Zathrus that was a great post! Many times us Christians find it much easier to point the finger than to show just a little of that mercy that God shows us! Shocked

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45degreeN · Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 6:05 am Post subject:

In a world of exchanges

exchanging evil for good is demonic
exchanging evil for evil is the human way
exchanging good for good is the fair way (Phileo)
exchanging good for evil is the divine way.(agape)

What few people even consider is the third exchange. Our civilization is based to a large extent upon the idea of fairness and fulfilling contracts. This is epitomized in the Philadelphia church and while it is very possible for a good person to live a life of fair exchange it is not divine, and requires no divine intervention.

John 21: