Theological IssuesTheological Issues

Trinity International University

© John Stevenson, 2009

Class 2

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives• Utilize interpretive skills in exegeting and

theologizing from a biblical passage (Matthew 5-7).

• Encounter various interpretive approaches to the Sermon on the Mount and apply those approaches to modern-day problems/issues.

• Discuss the issue of and potential difficulties with mixing politics and religion in light of the reality of the Kingdom of God

Session ObjectivesSession Objectives• Think critically about what it means to “be

the church” in the modern world

• Think ethically and theologically about what it means to live in the Kingdom of God today

MATTHEWMATTHEW

The Gospel of the King

Matthew 1-4Matthew 1-4

• Genealogy

• Birth Narrative

• Assassination Attempt by false king

• Forerunner & Baptism of the King

• Temptation

• The Mount

• As a perfectionist code, fully in line with the legalism of Rabbinic Judaism.

• As an impossible ideal, meant to drive the believer first to desperation, and then to trust in God’s mercy.

• As an “interim ethic” meant for what was expected to be a brief period of waiting in the end time.

• A rule for how life will be lived in the future millennium, but not something that is to be followed today.

• An indicative depiction of incipient life in the kingdom of God, which presupposes as its condition of possibility the experience of conversion.

Lisa Sowle CahillLisa Sowle CahillThe Sermon on the Mount does not suggest a social

ethics in any direct or usual sense. It depicts active,

personal outflow of a total conversion by virtue of which ordinary religious and moral expectations are shaken to

their roots and one is transfixed by Jesus’

transparence to the reign of God. (p. 34)

A “literal prescription”

An “ideal” which flows out

of a total conversion?

Versus

Matthew 5:3-63 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

Matthew 5:7-107 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:11-1211 Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.

12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Characteristic

Poor in spirit

Result

Ten Commandments

Kingdom One God

Mourn Comforted No idols

Gentle Inherit earth Name of God

Hunger and thirst Satisfied Sabbath

Merciful Receive mercy Honor parents

Pure in heart See God No murder

Peacemakers Sons of God No adultery

Persecuted Kingdom No stealing

Insult & persecute and falsely say… No false witness

Your reward is great… No coveting

Beatitudes

• Dispensational?• Historic Premillennial?• Amillennial?• Postmillennial?

Lewis Sperry Chafer

…lessons and principles may be drawn from it, but that, as a rule of life, it is addressed to the Jew before the cross and to the Jew in the coming kingdom, and is therefore not now in effect.” (Systematic Theology 5:97).

Founder of Dallas Theological Seminary

“I believe in civil unions that allow a same-sex couple to visit each other in a hospital or transfer property to each other. I don't think it should be called marriage, but I think that it is a legal right that they should have that is recognized by the state. If people find that controversial then I would just refer them to the Sermon on the Mount, which I think is, in my mind, for my faith, more central than an obscure passage in Romans.” (2006 Speech)

President Barack Obama

Martin LutherMartin Luther

Did not view them as

specifically literal

commands that could be

followed concretely

John WesleyJohn Wesley

Saw them as the fundamental

imperatives of the Christian life:

something that both could and

should be realized by the Christian

who is growing in sanctification.

1911-19821911-1982

Which view of the Sermon on the Mount is espoused by

Ladd?

1911-19821911-1982

…our Lord sometimes used radical

metaphors which were not intended to be

taken with rigid literalness. He was concerned with the

condition of the heart, with the inner attitude of the mind” (Pg 88).

The Old The Old TestamentTestament

The Sermon The Sermon on the on the MountMount

How does this impact our How does this impact our interpretation of the Sermon on the interpretation of the Sermon on the

Mount?Mount?

Group QuestionsGroup Questions• What characterizes people who live in the

Kingdom of God? (See 5:1-15)

• What does Jesus mean in 5:17-20? How should this determine our interpretation of the rest of the chapter? Should we seek to obey his commands literally?

Matthew 5:17-18Matthew 5:17-18Do not think that I came to abolish

the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. 18 For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Matthew 5:19-20Matthew 5:19-20Whoever then annuls one of the

least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Group QuestionsGroup Questions• What is the principle that should be

obeyed in 5:21-26?

• If someone follows the commands of 5:29-30 literally (i.e. he or she cuts off their hand or tears out their eye) should they be commended for their obedience?

• What is the meaning and some specific applications of 5:33-37?

You have heard You have heard it said…it said…

You shall not commit murder

But I say unto you…But I say unto you…

• Whoever is angry…• Whoever insults…• Make friends quickly…

You shall not commit adultery

• Adultery in the heart• Remove stumbling blocks

Give a certificate of divorce

Divorce apart from unchastity is adultery

You shall not make false vows; fulfill your vow to

the Lord

Do not make any sort of oath; let your normal “yes” or “no” be of the same quality as if you had made an oath.

Group QuestionsGroup Questions• How should we understand the commands

of 5:38-42? Should this be followed only at an individual level (i.e. person to person) or also on a corporate level (government to government)? Do verses 43-48 shed more light on the interpretation of this passage? Do you have insights from personal experience that elucidate the meaning of the passage?

Matthew 5:38-42Matthew 5:38-42You have heard that it was said,

‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 40 If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you.

Group QuestionsGroup Questions• How should we understand the commands

of 5:38-42? Should this be followed only at an individual level (i.e. person to person) or also on a corporate level (government to government)? Do verses 43-48 shed more light on the interpretation of this passage? Do you have insights from personal experience that elucidate the meaning of the passage?

© 1989

“…disciples turn the other cheek, go the second mile, avoid promiscuity, remain faithful to their marriage vows because God is like this” (Pg. 75)

Matthew 5:43-45Matthew 5:43-45 You have heard that it was

said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

© 1989

“The basis for the ethics of the Sermon on the Mount is not what works but rather the way God is. Cheek-turning is not advocated as what works (it usually does not), but advocated because this is the way God is—God is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish.” (Pg. 85)