dameeva writes:
I believe we do not have the whole story, especially not the negative effects of Jesus' belief system.
I agree with what Jon has said on this. There is certainly a lot that the Bible answers on this aspect (although a lot of it isn't answered).
dameeva writes:
...the honourable and noble teaching of turning the other cheek is so lacking in cause, effect and consequence. What is the basis for such a teaching? What caused a person to slap another initially? What does the obviously angry person do when you turn the other cheek? More than likely slap it again. Very negative, especially for the victim\martyr. If you are the one being slapped, don't you have a choice?
The basis for the teaching is passivity. In both Luke (Luk 6:27 & 6:35) and Matthew (Mat 5:44), Jesus says that you should love your enemies. Yes, it is very much implied that the person will slap your cheek again. Don't hit them back, and don't even get angry (Mat 5:22).
This may be bad for you, yes, but that doesn't matter because they are the one sinning by hitting you. If you die, you will be rewarded. Relax.
And yes, you still have a choice. Just you will be punished if you make the wrong one.
dameeva writes:
Could it be that Jesus was there to give us more freedom of choice, rather than restrict us to following?
Certainly not.
Matthew 5:18-19 says:
quote:
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Obey the commandments, or you will be punished. That's pretty simple.
dameeva writes:
Could his teachings have been for us to learn to think for ourselves?
Of course we have to think for ourselves, but we also have to come to the right conclusions. Jesus often spoke kindly of servants and children, who obeyed what their Lord wanted.
dameeva writes:
Maybe the picture was deliberately incomplete for us to use our imaginations?
I doubt it. Our imaginations are corruptible by the Devil, and our nature is imperfect. As such, I find it hard to believe that the God of the Bible would want us to use our imagination to fill in anything important.
Now, if we were to use prayer or revelation to fill in gaps, that I could see.
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What do you mean "You can't prove a negative"? Have you searched the whole universe for proofs of a negative statement? No? How do you know that they don't exist then?!