Good thoughts. FYI, you might want to make it clearer that the command to soldiers to forego extortion was given by John the Baptist, though certainly it would be hard to believe that Jesus would have disagreed with John’s practical instructions about what repentance would involve.
I am reminded by the comments about the distinction between Christianity and Culture, and the inbuilt contradictions, of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. In very brief summary: the psycho historian Seldon put in place a plan for humanity which was locked on a time vault which opened a further instalment at future junctures in humankind development. There was an overt group of people who followed the forecast development at each new phase of humankind development. However, as an insurance Seldon also put in place a secret Brotherhood/ Sisterhood to take corrective action if humankind went too off plan. But even this group were flummoxed by the arrival of the “Mule” who through a spanner into Seldon’s carefully constructed plan. But the plan for humankind was eventually brought back into line.
Why do I mention this: first because it came to mind as I read the comments about Christianity vs Culture and the gap which might or might not develop if we cast aside the civilising effect of Christianity. As one commentator suggests it opens the way for dictators and authoritarian regimes. And that is already happening. But it would be comforting to think that there is an underlying innate capacity for goodness in humankind that will eventually break through - or perhaps not!!!!
Good thoughts. FYI, you might want to make it clearer that the command to soldiers to forego extortion was given by John the Baptist, though certainly it would be hard to believe that Jesus would have disagreed with John’s practical instructions about what repentance would involve.
Thanks, Stephen! It looks like I was confused about that since writing the same in May: https://joelcarini.substack.com/i/144838920/the-bible-only-case-for-pacifism
I am reminded by the comments about the distinction between Christianity and Culture, and the inbuilt contradictions, of Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. In very brief summary: the psycho historian Seldon put in place a plan for humanity which was locked on a time vault which opened a further instalment at future junctures in humankind development. There was an overt group of people who followed the forecast development at each new phase of humankind development. However, as an insurance Seldon also put in place a secret Brotherhood/ Sisterhood to take corrective action if humankind went too off plan. But even this group were flummoxed by the arrival of the “Mule” who through a spanner into Seldon’s carefully constructed plan. But the plan for humankind was eventually brought back into line.
Why do I mention this: first because it came to mind as I read the comments about Christianity vs Culture and the gap which might or might not develop if we cast aside the civilising effect of Christianity. As one commentator suggests it opens the way for dictators and authoritarian regimes. And that is already happening. But it would be comforting to think that there is an underlying innate capacity for goodness in humankind that will eventually break through - or perhaps not!!!!