From The Second Testament Yēsous teaches the Apprentices 49 I came to toss fire on the land, and how I want that it had already been kindled! 50 I have a dipping to be dipped, and how absorbed I am until it’s completed! 51 Does it seem to you that I have come to give peace on the land? No, I say to you, but rather dissension. 52 For from now on five in one house will be split, three-on-two and two-on-three, 53 a father will be split against a son and a son against a father, a mother against the daughter and a daughter against the mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against the mother-in-law.
By ‘the kingdom He is announcing,’ do you mean that He was announcing a kingdom within us, a life of tov, instead of a military takeover with a physical new kingdom? Is this what brought the anger in families, because they had been waiting for the latter? I’ve thought all my life this family division was because some didn’t believe the right doctrines, but I’m thinking maybe this is another thing I need to rethink. A bit more clarity on my thoughts would be great!
The kingdom theme of Jesus is a complex of ideas -- God as king, the king's redemption and rule, the people of the king, the ethic of the king, and the space the kingdom people occupy -- and that complex offended some and enthused others. That's the division he created as he set the earth on fire in redemption's purge.
It seems many Jews had expected a more physical kingdom like Judas Maccabees had tried to bring about. And Jesus denying that was the plan and instead this more complex idea, really upset many, dividing even families. Is this what you’re saying?
I have a full book on this, Kingdom Conspiracy. His view was profoundly Jewish and entirely Jewish. He thought kingdom was in some sense present and that he was king/Messiah, which made his view Jewish but not like all his contemporaries.
By ‘the kingdom He is announcing,’ do you mean that He was announcing a kingdom within us, a life of tov, instead of a military takeover with a physical new kingdom? Is this what brought the anger in families, because they had been waiting for the latter? I’ve thought all my life this family division was because some didn’t believe the right doctrines, but I’m thinking maybe this is another thing I need to rethink. A bit more clarity on my thoughts would be great!
The kingdom theme of Jesus is a complex of ideas -- God as king, the king's redemption and rule, the people of the king, the ethic of the king, and the space the kingdom people occupy -- and that complex offended some and enthused others. That's the division he created as he set the earth on fire in redemption's purge.
It seems many Jews had expected a more physical kingdom like Judas Maccabees had tried to bring about. And Jesus denying that was the plan and instead this more complex idea, really upset many, dividing even families. Is this what you’re saying?
I have a full book on this, Kingdom Conspiracy. His view was profoundly Jewish and entirely Jewish. He thought kingdom was in some sense present and that he was king/Messiah, which made his view Jewish but not like all his contemporaries.
This sounds like it’s more in-depth that o realised. I’m curious. I’ll look it up and put it on the reading list. Thanks.
Just downloaded it on Kindle. It looks really helpful for my reeducation.
Hi, Scott, would you explain why Jesus breaks down the familial dissension with such redundant specificity?
Thanks!
He’s quoting a prophet, to begin with, and he’s using hyperbole to emphasize the depth of division over the kingdom he announces.
Thank you.