"Antitheses" for 21st Century America

I've been reflecting on Jesus' message and tone in the Sermon on the Mount, and in particular his famous "antitheses" in Matthew 5 -- about murder, adultery, divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love of enemies. While these are often called antitheses (contrasting statements), they are actually more akin to saying, "you were taught this specific law, and I affirm that law, but I am going to explain to you the truer, deeper application of that law that will allow you to live out loving your neighbor more fully." He makes this clear with his opening argument in Matthew 5:17-20 before the antitheses that he is not removing a single bit of the law, but is instead demonstrating a full and complete application that goes beyond the application taught by the religious teachers of the day. If any part of these statements is actually an antithesis, it is in contrast to the laws themselves -- the laws are affirmed by Jesus in no uncertain terms -- but in contrast to the self-righteous teachers who were practicing a hypocritical form of following God's law.

Especially in light of the flood of political rhetoric this year (and in many recent years) that is couched in religious terms to try to win over a Christian audience, I considered what might Jesus say to the hypocritical voices who were doing much the same as the religious teachers in Jesus' day. What arguments that purport to be from Scripture are being used to sway Christians to think about political issues in religious terms that are the exact opposite of what Jesus meant when he gave the greatest commandments: love God and love your neighbor? My antitheses are parodies, not in the sense of being unserious, for these are very much serious and grounded in Scripture and responding to real issues, but in the sense of mimicking the style of the original teachings while being obvious that they do not replace the original nor have the same authorship.

Jesus' point in his teaching these antitheses was to meditate on the law in order to find its deeper wisdom. Such are my meditations on the law with respect to issues I see frequently used to target Christians, for which I think we all would be better able to share Good News with our non-Christian neighbors if we reflect on these topics more thoroughly rather than allowing fear and political rhetoric to influence us more readily than Scripture and the Holy Spirit. But in the style of Jesus, these statements are direct and tough. They cut deep to the root issue and are meant to be thought-provoking. Writing these has certainly convicted my own heart. But these are my words, not Jesus', so I pray that by the Holy Spirit only what is true and convicting here would speak into your hearts, but what is still missing the mark would fall flat. May your reflections in reading this allow you to better analyze yourself and the messages you hear, so as to not just ignore them, but to further stand up against the misunderstandings and misuse of the Bible for political and social gain that harms us and our neighbors.

You have heard that it was said, abortion is murder (Prov 6:16-19). And I tell you, anyone who despises the women and fatherless in their midst by not providing for their needs is also guilty of murder (Mat 5:22, Jas 1:27). For what hate must one have for their neighbor to judge them and say, "your own wellbeing is no longer of any value", because they are carrying an unborn child? Or to the ill or starving child, "it is enough that you survived to your birth," yet not tend to their needs in life? Or to the victim of assault, "you are now sentenced to bear this sin against you for decades to come," yet not offer to carry some portion of their sentence? God is the only giver and taker of life, and He alone grants wisdom and grace to all (Deu 32:39, Jas 1:5, 2 Cor 12:9-10). God has a plan for the born and unborn, and and He alone will seek justice -- and offer forgiveness -- for these evils: both these innocent deaths and your conceited hypocrisy (Rom 8:28, Rom 12:9-21). Seek first love of your neighbor, especially the least of these: which is love of God (Mat 22:36-40, Mat 25:40). Pray for wisdom to discern right and wrong in times of uncertainty (1 Kgs 3:7-9). Offer grace to all, as you have been given much grace (Mat 10:8).

You have heard that it was said, there is only male and female. And I tell you, God is one, and He created one Human [Adam] in the image of God, spanning His multifaceted nature into male and female (Gen 1:27, 1 Pet 4:10). But is there not but one Creator whom we worship (Neh 9:6)? So, too, are His images of one nature and uniformly deserving of honor (1 Pet 2:17). And each image was known by God before the womb, before each had a name, nor even a sex (Jer 1:5). And the original Human was only ever given one name; and even before his body was divided into his sexes, he was granted the task to name the rest of creation (Gen 2:19-22). Thus God asks not what one calls themself except that they name themselves, "the LORD's" (Isa 44:5). You are to love all as one just as you love the one God. So why do you look only at the outward appearance, granting favor and dignity only to those whose appearance and name for themselves conforms to your culture's traditions and identities? Human customs will change and decay, like all flesh. But God looks at the heart where the eternal spirit dwells (1 Sam 16:7). And at the last trumpet sound, all who call themselves by His name will be changed and given a new name and a new spiritual body, very unlike the physical one (Isa 62:2, 1 Cor 15:35-54). For there is one God, one Church, and one Humanity; and among God's children there is no longer male and female (Gal 3:26-28).

You have heard that it was said, God appoints the boundaries of nations, which should be enforced (Acts 17:26, Deu 19:14). And I tell you, those who do not show hospitality to the foreigner among you, and grant refuge to the oppressed, will not be welcomed into the Kingdom of Heaven (Zec 7:10, 1 Cor 6:9-10, Mat 25:41-45). Are you not first a citizen of heaven (Phi 3:20-21)? And did you and your ancestors never need to seek refuge in a foreign land (Deu 10:18-19, Eph 2:19)? Yet rather than showing compassion to the oppressed, some of you uniquely blame myriad evils on those you have made no effort to know and understand; yet you show favoritism to the so-called natural-born citizens, not condemning these who perpetrate even greater evils in your nation (Jas 2:1-9, 1 Pet 1:17). But it is every person from every language and every nation who is the enemy of God (Rom 5:8-10, Act 10:34-35). But God, being rich in mercy, welcomed those who are humble into His Kingdom, without walls or borders (Eph 2:4-5, Zec 2:4). So do not think yourself as better, nor speak evil of those you do not know, and so blaspheme the name of God, their Maker and yours, among your nation (Luk 18:10-14).

You have heard that it was said, all lives matter. And I tell you, those who are disheartened are the closest to God's heart, and those who are downtrodden will be first to reach the Kingdom of Heaven (Jer 29:13-14, Mat 11:28-30, 1 Cor 1:26-29, Mat 5:3-10). So, too, God's people must draw near to the oppressed by lending to any that has need: including voices to the voiceless, dignity to the undignified, and reparations to the disrepaired (Isa 58:6-8, 1 John 3:16-18). Some say they are colorblind to distinctions among people and treat all the same. These indeed are most blind -- to the afflictions of their neighbors. You know that you must do justice and love mercy and walk humbly; yet some of you ignore justice, turn away from mercy, and strut self-righteously (Mic 6:8, Mat 23:23-24). Are your advantages yours to withhold from your neighbor? Are your neighbor's disadvantages theirs to suffer? All that has been given belongs to God (Psa 24:1). Those who do not empty themselves to serve others are no better than the wicked who oppressed these in the first place, and God will deal with both in kind (Phi 2:5-7, Psa 10:2).