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2 Responses to Matthew 2:16-23 – “Alternatives to Empire”
Thank you, Tom. As always your sermons are thought provoking, and well rendered.
I do have a bit different perspective re “empires and kingdoms”. At the time of Matthew’s writing, he had little or no knowledge of history beyond the Israeli history. He was probably unaware of the Athenian democracy, or the other Greek City-states that had no desire for conquest.
And he certainly could not conceive of the modern republics, such as the United States or Great Britain where the “rulers” are selected by and rule at the pleasure of the governed.
A government of some kind is essential….and people have traditionally prefered government to anarchy. The fear of anarchy has given rise to Natzism and Communism.
So I think it well to understand the context and the times when the Bible was written, how the various books were selected for inclusion, etc.
You do a good job in the limited time available in sermons in providing thought-provoking perspectives.
Thank you.
John K
Hi John. Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful response. I don’t think we can let the Greeks of scott-free. I don’t know my history as well as you, but I think that in the Greek city states, democracy was limited to men. Women and slaves were not represented. Perhaps they would relate to Matthew’s message. We could debate how well our own democracy is functioning but I will concede that it is more representative and less oppressive than the one’s Matthew knew such as Roman, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and the Jewish kingdom of his time. However, I think that as we all have greater power in the functioning of our democratic government we also have greater responsibilities as citizens. It is too easy for us to do exactly what Matthew did not want us to do, which is proclaim our leaders as Lord instead of claiming Jesus as Lord. As we claim Jesus as Lord, hopefully we will be empowered to create a just and peaceful nation inspired by his teachings.
Thank you, Tom. As always your sermons are thought provoking, and well rendered.
I do have a bit different perspective re “empires and kingdoms”. At the time of Matthew’s writing, he had little or no knowledge of history beyond the Israeli history. He was probably unaware of the Athenian democracy, or the other Greek City-states that had no desire for conquest.
And he certainly could not conceive of the modern republics, such as the United States or Great Britain where the “rulers” are selected by and rule at the pleasure of the governed.
A government of some kind is essential….and people have traditionally prefered government to anarchy. The fear of anarchy has given rise to Natzism and Communism.
So I think it well to understand the context and the times when the Bible was written, how the various books were selected for inclusion, etc.
You do a good job in the limited time available in sermons in providing thought-provoking perspectives.
Thank you.
John K
Hi John. Thank you for your kind words and thoughtful response. I don’t think we can let the Greeks of scott-free. I don’t know my history as well as you, but I think that in the Greek city states, democracy was limited to men. Women and slaves were not represented. Perhaps they would relate to Matthew’s message. We could debate how well our own democracy is functioning but I will concede that it is more representative and less oppressive than the one’s Matthew knew such as Roman, Egypt, Assyria, Babylon and the Jewish kingdom of his time. However, I think that as we all have greater power in the functioning of our democratic government we also have greater responsibilities as citizens. It is too easy for us to do exactly what Matthew did not want us to do, which is proclaim our leaders as Lord instead of claiming Jesus as Lord. As we claim Jesus as Lord, hopefully we will be empowered to create a just and peaceful nation inspired by his teachings.