Freethought & Rationalism Archive

steamer · 08-20-2007, 10:18 PM

When I think of all the enemies of the Israelites and how they were treated I see what must be an example of what god means by "Love thy enemies."

With love like that, who needs hatred?

seebs · 08-20-2007, 10:32 PM

It seems to me that the Israelites mostly did things based on "love your friends, hate your enemies". Thus the explicit contrast between that and the teachings of Jesus.

steamer · 08-20-2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seebs

It seems to me that the Israelites mostly did things based on "love your friends, hate your enemies". Thus the explicit contrast between that and the teachings of Jesus.

Wasn't it god telling them to do many of those things?

seebs · 08-20-2007, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamer

Wasn't it god telling them to do many of those things?

I personally don't think so. Others might disagree.

WishboneDawn · 08-21-2007, 03:42 AM

I think they behaved in a manner they thought God would approve of and their behaviour fit the model of the God of the OT. I think they also attributed good and bad fortune to God when they were tlling stories and writing them down.

WishboneDawn · 08-21-2007, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamer

When I think of all the enemies of the Israelites and how they were treated I see what must be an example of what god means by "Love thy enemies."

With love like that, who needs hatred?

The Israelites were under no such command.

drewjmore · 08-21-2007, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WishboneDawn

Quote:

Originally Posted by steamer

When I think of all the enemies of the Israelites and how they were treated I see what must be an example of what god means by "Love thy enemies."

With love like that, who needs hatred?

The Israelites were under no such command.

Sure they were:

Quote:

20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
or like vinegar poured on soda,
is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...ontext=context

and:

Quote:

16 for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again,
but the wicked are brought down by calamity.

17 Do not gloat when your enemy falls;
when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice, 18 or the LORD will see and disapprove
and turn his wrath away from him.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/...ontext=context

WishboneDawn · 08-21-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;
if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. 22 In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the LORD will reward you.

I'm not sure how the metaphor of heaping burning coals on someone's exrpesses love.

Those proverbs seem to express a sentiment closer to not disrespecting an enemy rather then love him.

drewjmore · 08-21-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WishboneDawn

...no such command...

Quote:

36"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"
37The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him."
Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise."

Jesus' commands flow directly from the proverbs.

08-20-2007, 10:18 PM	#1
steamer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: CA Posts: 7,653	Love thy Enemy When I think of all the enemies of the Israelites and how they were treated I see what must be an example of what god means by "Love thy enemies." With love like that, who needs hatred?

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08-20-2007, 10:32 PM	#2
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	It seems to me that the Israelites mostly did things based on "love your friends, hate your enemies". Thus the explicit contrast between that and the teachings of Jesus.

08-21-2007, 03:42 AM	#5
WishboneDawn Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 4,287	I think they behaved in a manner they thought God would approve of and their behaviour fit the model of the God of the OT. I think they also attributed good and bad fortune to God when they were tlling stories and writing them down.

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