The event below, one of the very best known Jesus stories, appears in all three Synoptic Gospels. I would guess that 98% of Christianity interprets the story thusly; Christians, as well as all people, should pay their taxes to the government. I believe this is an incorrect application of the story. I believe the opposite is true; that Jesus in a round-about way instructed his followers to NOT pay taxes to Rome.
Let’s look at the full text from Matthew 22: 15-22 (New King James Version)
“Then the Pharisees went and plotted how they might entangle Him in His talk. And they sent to Him their disciples with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher [Rabbi], we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth; nor do You care about anyone, for You do not regard the person of men. Tell us, therefore, what do You think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” And He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” When they had heard these words, they marveled, and left Him and went their way.”
THE PLAYERS
The Pharisees: The Pharisees wanted to do more than just “entangle” Jesus. They wanted to see him killed for his response. But, they were cowards and didn’t go. Perhaps they were afraid of yet again being called hypocritical vipers and filthy rotten corpses. So, they sent “their disciples” and the Herodians. The Pharisees despised Rome, but would cooperate with them whenever it suited their devious purposes.
The Herodians: The Herodians held political power and they supported the Herods, and therefore, indirectly, Rome. To the Pharisees, this compromised the idea of Jewish independence. So, the two groups hated each other. The Gospels state that even Jesus avoided when possible the territory of Herod’s rule. But, the two groups were united in their hatred of Jesus. The Romans wouldn’t believe the Pharisee accusation of Jesus, because the Romans knew the Pharisees hated them. They needed pro-Roman witnesses to testify that Jesus was an insurrectionist. The Herodians were more than happy to go along.
Tiberius: Emperor Tiberius was reigning at the time of Christ. He was a pedophile, a sexual deviant, a murderer, and enslaved millions of people. Worse, especially to the Jews, was that he claimed to be a god. His portrait was on the coin.
The Tax: The Romans weren’t totally bad guys! They built roads, aqueducts, other public works, seaports, cities, and their soldiers/police kept the peace (for the most part). All this cost money. They imposed a series of taxes; property taxes, business taxes, income taxes, census or poll taxes. It was a heavy burden on the people which did, in some cases, leave the person destitute. There were violent tax rebellions both before and after Jesus’ arrival. Josephus recorded that it was the Jewish attitude toward the taxation problem that started the revolution of 66AD … which ended with the total destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D.
THE coin: The coin was a denarius – roughly a day’s wages for a common laborer. The specific coin would have been issued by the Emperor Tiberius, stamped from his personal mint, and containing silver, instead of copper coins issued by the Senate. It was used to pay soldiers, officials, and suppliers … and was the coin conquered people were required to pay the tribute. The front of the coin depicts Tiberius crowned with the laurels of victory and divinity. Circumscribed around Tiberius is an abbreviation, “TI CAESAR DIVI AUG F AUGUSTUS,” which translates to, “Tiberius Caesar, Worshipful Son of the God, Augustus.” On the other side sits the Roman goddess of peace, Pax, and circumscribed around her is the abbreviation, “Pontif Maxim” which means, “High Priest. It was a terrifically wonderful propaganda tool for the Empire, a constant and painful reminder to subjugated peoples as to who is The Big Boss.
This coin was anathema to Jewish sensibilities as the very first commandment forbids the worship of anyone or anything but God … which included the crafting of any image of a false god, such as that on the coin. It is difficult to image that Jesus, a most devout Jew, would approve of His followers paying tribute with such a coin. The extreme irony of the situation shouldn’t go unnoticed; Jesus, the Son of God, the High Priest of Peace, the King of Kings is holding a tiny silver coin of a king who claims to be the son of a god and the high priest of Roman peace!
It is interesting to speculate why Jesus needed to possess the coin in the first place. Surely, he could have answered their question without seeing it. This episode took place in the Temple. I suspect Jesus asked for a coin because by producing it, the Pharisee’s disciples and Herodians revealed their own religious hypocrisy … by bringing a profane object, the coin of a pagan, into the sacred space of the Temple.
THE TIMING
The tax story took place a few days before Jesus’ crucifixion. On Monday, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people hail Him as the Messiah. On Tuesday, he violently chases the money changers out of the temple. This likely confused the people greatly, as they were expecting Messiah to overthrow the Roman system, not the Jewish one. It is now Wednesday and Jesus is now back teaching in the Temple. He’ll be dead by Friday.
Of course, the Jewish leaders are furiously irate. He laid bare their hypocrisy, pride, and selfishness. He hated their brand of religion. He usurped their authority. Worse than all that … the people liked Jesus!! They nearly burst with envy and jealousy. Jesus needed to be stopped at any cost, lest they lose their place in society. So, they come up with a plan to discredit Him. In the previous chapter they ask Jesus; “”By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority”. In other words, the plan is to prove Jesus is a fraud.
In response, Jesus then launches into three parables; 1) the parable of the two sons, 2) the parable of the vineyard, and 3) the parable of the wedding feast. All three parables point to the fact that they, the Pharisees, had no authority and were under God’s judgment. Talk about turning the tables!
The attempt to discredit Jesus based on Torah fell flat on its face. The new plan is to discredit Jesus by bringing Rome into the picture. The plan was to trap Jesus into giving an answer that would make it appear to Rome that Jesus was inciting rebellion to overthrow the very foundations of Roman power. And that’s when the tax story is told.
THE ELABORATE TRAP
The opening gambit trap: ““Teacher, we know that You are true, and teach the way of God in truth”.
Their obvious insincere flattery has a devious logic behind it. By addressing Jesus as “Teacher” (‘Rabbi’ or ‘Master’ in other translations) they are both acknowledging and challenging Jesus’ authority as a religious teacher. Their question now becomes one of religious law. Of course, the Pharisees believed only they, alone, were the authoritative interpreters of Jewish law. So, they forced Jesus into giving an answer. If he refuses to answer he will lose credibility with the very people who just proclaimed him King during the Triumphal Entry. They also forced Him to give an answer based on Scripture.
It is interesting to speculate why they asked the question in the first place. Like any good lawyer, they would only ask a question whereby the answer was reasonably expected and known beforehand. And they fully expected Jesus to say, “No, it is not lawful to pay taxes to Caesar.”.
Why did they expect that answer? First, because based on Jewish religious law, it was the correct answer. But, I suspect there is more to it than that. Jesus must have given the Pharisees and Herodians cause to believe that Jesus on other occasions taught that paying tribute to Rome was immoral. Don’t forget that one of the three charges Rome used against Jesus to crucify Him was that He did not pay the tax. That charge could not have been this particular instance because after Jesus answered them, the text says that the Herodians “marveled” (other translations say “perplexed”) and simply left, unable to accuse Jesus of anything. Therefore, I just can’t imagine there weren’t other instances where Jesus spoke against the Roman tax.
The “can’t win” trap question: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?”
They thought they had Jesus trapped!! If Jesus says “Yes”;
— It would have made Him a collaborator with the Roman occupiers
— It would have alienated the people against Him.
If Jesus says “No”;
— He would have been considered a political criminal of the worst kind
— He would incur the full wrath of Rome.
In either case, he would have likely been killed … perhaps on the spot. But, Jesus immediately recognizes the trap, and exposes the hostility and the hypocrisy of His interrogators.
THE BRILLIANT NON-ANSWER
““Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
The first observation, a painfully obvious one, is that Jesus does not directly answer the question. There isn’t a “Yes” or “No” response. Instead, He makes a comment that leads to question-begging; what exactly does belong to Caesar, what exactly does belong to God? He didn’t answer that either. Because …. the Jews already knew that answer.
Everything belongs to God! The heavens belong to God; “To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it.” The earth belongs to God; ‘the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it’. Cows and animals belong to God; “For every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.” The land belongs to God; “The land shall not be sold in perpetuity; for the land is mine, and you are but aliens who have become my tenants.” The treasures in the earth belong to God; “’The silver is mine and the gold is mine’, declares the Lord Almighty”. Your very breath belongs to God; “You turn your face away, they suffer, you stop their breath, they die. You give breath, fresh life begins.”. And when you breath you last breath in this temporal plane, your very soul belongs to God; “Behold all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine.”
So, think about it. What is left to give to Caesar? Nothing!
Jesus surreptitiously (the Romans never caught on!) declares that the claims of Caesar (he thought he owned everything) and the claims of God are mutually exclusive. To those who have faith, God owns everything, and Caesar’s claims are, by necessity, illegitimate. Therefore, you owe him nothing! To those who do not have faith, Caesar is owed at least the coin that bears his image. Jesus invites the listeners, again surreptitiously, to choose their allegiance.
The Tribute story is very similar in form to the story of the woman caught in the act of adultery. Here, once again, the Pharisees attempt to trap Jesus by asking a loaded question; should the adulteress be stoned according to the Law? If Jesus says ‘yes, stone her’, then he gives a legally correct answer, but it undermines his message of mercy and forgiveness. If He says ‘no’, then he gives a morally correct answer, but it undermines his authority as Rabbi by not adhering to the Law..
In both cases, people would turn against Him. Instead, Jesus gives another non-answer; “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” No one in the audience was hoping Jesus would say, “Stone her!!”. Likewise, no one in the Tribute story was hoping Jesus would say, “Pay tax to the Roman oppressors!”. But, here is the very salient point; the audience of that day would have inferred the right answer embedded in Jesus’ non-answer response!
Absolutely no one would have mistaken Jesus’ non-direct response as the go-ahead to stone the woman. Likewise, absolutely no one would have mistaken Jesus’ non-direct response as an endorsement of paying Caesar’s taxes. In fact, the exact opposite is true; His Jewish audience would have understood that Jesus meant the tribute was illicit. It was only the Romans (and most Americans) who foolishly believed Jesus’ comments benefited government tax coffers.
Does Jesus Compartmentalize?? The other major flaw I see in the Jesus-endorses-taxes theory is that it artificially forces Jesus’ belief system into two compartments; compartment #1 is stuff that belongs to God and, compartment #2 is stuff that belongs to Caesar … two separate and distinct spheres of activity. How is this believable?? Where else does Jesus do this? He seems to me to be an “all in” type of Teacher. Pick one, or pick another, but you can’t pick both. If you believe that Jesus is teaching that sometimes we need to choose for God and against Caesar, then the opposite must also be logically true – that one can choose for Caesar and against God. Perish the thought!
That there are two separate and distinct realms, Caesar’s and God’s, makes sense to most Americans given our Constitutional decree … the separation of church and state. But, that doesn’t make the popular Tribute interpretation correct. It merely points to the fact that one should never interpret Scripture with “American eyes”, for doing so will inevitably lead you far astray.
IN CLOSING
I’m not trying to convince anyone to not pay their taxes. If you think it’s your patriotic and civic duty to pay taxes, then by all means do so. Just don’t think you’re doing God’s will! On the other hand, maybe someday you’ll be in heaven standing next to a young girl who was murdered via collateral-damage from an American Drone mission, and God will say, “Bob, your taxes paid for that.”, and I wonder how you will feel. What I’m saying is that if you need a religious reason to not pay taxes, maybe you have one now.
The pro-tax position of the Tribute story simply is not supportable historically, rhetorically, contextually, or spiritually. The only support for the pro-tax position amounts to little more than “it sounds reasonable”, while ignoring all other evidence against their position.
The Greek word translated “render” is ‘apodidomi’ which means “to give back.”. With that in mind, here is my paraphrase of the appropriate passage;
“Jesus looked at the coin and said, “Sure, that looks like his image. It’s his. Go ahead, give him back his coin! And, by the way, everything else belongs to God!”
That sounds more like Jesus.
” … if you’re going to write an article, just make sure what you use to backstop your points cannot be attacked and impeached successfully. Other than that, good post Stucky.” —– Billy
First, thank you for the compliment. (fwiw, I did not vote down …. I rarely do on well thought out arguments, even if I don’t agree with them).
“backstop”? The post is 2,549 words … the “adultery” portion is 189 words. It is hardly a “backstop”. In fact, it isn’t even needed at all. The ONLY “backstop” point of including it is to show that Jewish leaders tried “trap questions” previously .. AND that the Jewish listeners could discern the non-direct answers. I could just have easily used any of several other “trap” instances … marriage in heaven, working on the Sabbath, divorce, the greatest commandment, and others, as they constantly tried to trick Jesus into saying the wrong thing. I simply chose the adulteress story because it known by most people.
Besides, even the source you posted says — ” … generally recognized that THIS STORY DESCRIBES AN EVENT FROM THE LIFE OF CHRIST”. Huh!!! That is doesn’t actually appear in the earliest manuscripts EVEN THOUGH IT PROBABLY HAPPENED is really nitpicking to the nth degree.
Let’s look at another example of “it wasn’t in the earliest manuscripts”. The last chapter of Mark.
Mark officially ends with James and three women running from the empty grave “trembling and afraid”. They say verses 9-20 were added later — all that stuff about appearing to Mary Magdalene, then the 12 apostles, the Great Commission speech, all Jesus’ ASCENSION …. all NOT in the original. So, what then? According to you, it didn’t happen?
Yes, I know those stories are in the other Gospels, and the adulteress story appears only in John. But, almost everything in John is unique so, that in itself proves nothing.
TE,
without your actual citations as to where your info came that the verses were added to the gospels and when they all came together nicely, truly, yours is but one more opinion. An opinion my research would lead me to guess is right, but I have absolutely no basis to say so.
If you follow the link in my post at 11:02, the author cites the research that proves the Adulterous Woman PARABLE was never included in the earliest scriptures. In fact, I think I quoted it by accident…
Yep, dude did his homework and footnoted the research – (Metzger 1994:189)
So, it’s not my opinion, which would mean it’s unfounded. Proper scholarship has been devoted to this subject, and citing the scholarship (Metzger) is as good as doing it myself, in this case.
So, in order to rebut you, I would have to go forth and find your information, and then find other information, and then come to a conclusion. I’m in the middle of a big work project and have enough of my own ideas to flesh out, so if you want to help out, I’d be happy for it!
Ehh… you want me to disprove my own point for you?
Well, I gave you the scholarship cited above. The author, the publish date and the page number… I guess I could go out and buy the book, read it for you and then post for you…
Here. This seems to be the book and author referenced.
A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament (Ancient Greek Edition) Bruce M. Metzger, 2005 edition.
As far as “when everything came together nicely” there is no one specific date. It is commonly accepted that as of about the 5th century AD, core Christian Biblical canon was firmly established, but arguments still went on about the minor details. See: Augustine of Hippo and the synods he called. These books were reaffirmed in the face of the Protestant Reformation at the Council of Trent, 1545 to 1563, and the list of books from the 3 synods and the Council of Trent are almost identical…
Stucky,
… generally recognized that THIS STORY DESCRIBES AN EVENT FROM THE LIFE OF CHRIST”. Huh!!! That is doesn’t actually appear in the earliest manuscripts EVEN THOUGH IT PROBABLY HAPPENED is really nitpicking to the nth degree.
And…
Yes, I know those stories are in the other Gospels, and the adulteress story appears only in John. But, almost everything in John is unique so, that in itself proves nothing.
I found this.
According to the dominant theory called Greek primacy, the New Testament was originally written in Greek, of which 5,650 handwritten copies have survived in Greek, over 10,000 in Latin. When other languages are included, the total of ancient copies approaches 25,000. The next ancient text to come close to rivaling that number is Homer’s Iliad, which is thought to have survived in 643 ancient copies.[9] Recognizing this, F. E. Peters remarked that “on the basis of manuscript tradition alone, the works that make up the Christians’ New Testament texts were the most frequently copied and widely circulated [surviving] books of antiquity
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_the_Bible
Sooo, out of 25,000 copies, the Adulterous Woman parable occurs in exactly… none?
And you call this “nitpicking to the nth degree”.
You chose a well known story to support your post. That it only takes up 7% of the post itself is not relevant. That you cited it, IS relevant. That it’s provenance is dubious and murky is also relevant.
I am simply speaking on a subject that I happen to know. You citing one of the thousands of other stories in the bible to disprove my point is a bit… what’s the word I’m looking for?… I won’t say dishonest, because that’s not true. I think you’re being genuine, but citing any one of thousands of other stories – some of which have provenance, some of which don’t – and then hoping I don’t know the backstory behind it is kinda… bagoo… There. I invented a word. BA-GOO. It means “Word-bad-thing”…
And, in case you missed it when I said it two other times, I am NOT using the murky provenance of the Adulterous Woman story as an attack on you, nor in an effort to discount your post. You wrote well. It’s just a sticking point with me because that story PARTIALLY made it into the earliest Christian canon, but not the “cast the first stone” bit… that was added much, much later. Probably because it sounded good and was a “teachable moment”… that last bit about their motives is pure speculation on my part… but knowing human nature, it fits.
TE
Billy is quite correct. It is WIDELY accepted, almost universally — even in extreme fundy churches and seminaries — that the adulteress passage was added to John … no trace of it in the earliest manuscripts.
That being said;
—- 1) Does it violate any Scripture teachings elsewhere? (No)
—- 2) Does it corroborate and support other Scripture? (Yes)
—- 3) Is the story in line with everything else known about Jesus? (Yes)
Therefore, it is still valuable and useful for learning and edification.
Yes, I amended my position by saying “partially” made it into the earliest christian canons… but not all of it.
Calm your tits… I am not conceding anything or admitting defeat…
Stucky,
I never said that it wasn’t a good story, nor in opposition to Christ’s teachings, nor a good teachable moment, nor the other things you cited…
I merely made the observation that out of 25,000 ancient copies, it occurs exactly nowhere (the cast the stone bit).
Which means it was added later on and then attributed to John… which, in modern parlance, is called “fraud”…
Just sayin’…. 😉
Billy
Just now saw your 1:32 post.
Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES did I think you were attacking me. Sorry if I did not make that clearer. I think you made excellent points! And, as you can see in my above post, I agree 100% regarding is being added to John.
Per my 3-points, it is still a very useful passage.
Anyway!!!….. this article was about paying taxes …. but much discussion about the woman caught in adultery.
Which kinda makes sense since both involve getting fucked.
Constman54 says: “If Christians (me included) were willing to stand up for what is right maybe there would not have been a 16th amendment to the the Constitution.”
The 16th Amendment (which is the basis for income taxes) was illegally ratified. Read “The Law That Never Was” by William Benson. I attended a semiar he presented about it and it’s quite a story.
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[/img]
Even if Jesus can’t be quoted as the originator of the adulteress parable in John , the parable most certainly can be thought of as the source of divine inspiration of the will of God or the least a divinity guided interpretation of the natural laws of God…..i.e natural theology.
BTW, I’ve never read this book, but it is only my list….where I’m not sure.
http://nonzero.org/chap22.htm
I can’t claim this much confidence in specifying where exactly God fits into the picture or even in asserting that some sort of divine being does fit into the picture. Still, it does seem to me that an appraisal of the state of things from a scientific standpoint yields more evidence of divinity than you might expect. Which is to say: nonzero.
What do I mean by “scientific”? I don’t mean using satellite-based sensors to detect divine radio waves. I just mean examining theological scenarios by using evidence that is there for all to see rather than invoking claims of special revelation, or mystical insights reached through meditation or through medication, or whatever. (This empirically based endeavor is sometimes called “natural theology.”) Let’s accept, if only for the sake of argument, the previous chapter’s contention that biological and cultural evolution have some hallmarks of design. Does the design seem to embody the values that people associate with God?
In one sense, the answer has to be no. The kind of God that is hardest to find evidence of is the kind most people seem to believe in: a God that is infinitely powerful and infinitely good. After all, presumably that kind of God wouldn’t have let Pol Pot happen—and wouldn’t allow the various other forms of cruelty and suffering in the world (including those inherent in organic evolution, and thus in our creation). This is not, of course, some new insight that emerges from this book’s vantage point. It is a very old insight—”the problem of evil”—that emerges from the most casual inspection of the everyday world: Why would a benign, almighty God let bad things happen to good people or to people in general?
Some thinkers have solved the problem of evil straightforwardly, by denying its premise. Ancient Zoroastrians said God is not omnipotent, but rather is in pitched battle with an evil spirit, and is doing His best. More often, theologians have finessed the issue: God is good and omnipotent, so all the seemingly bad things He tolerates must have redeeming qualities that make them ultimately good. For example, maybe suffering is a prerequisite for “soul building.”
This argument has often drawn the obvious rejoinder: If God is omnipotent, why doesn’t He rewire the universe so that suffering isn’t necessary for “soul building”? What would be wrong with prefab souls?
Personally, I prefer the Zoroastrian scenario. Or, perhaps, a scenario in which a good God, though not confronting an active, satanic force, is in some other sense of limited power. Maybe in creating the universe, He (She, It) faced metaphysically imposed design constraints.
Anyway, the aim of this chapter is not to describe God or explain God’s ways, a task that is above my pay grade. I’m using “God” as convenient shorthand for something vaguer than what the word generally connotes. The point here is just to ask: Are there signs of any divinely imparted meaning in the evidence immediately before us: the history of life on earth? Granted directionality in the sense of growing complexity, is there any directionality along what you might call a spiritual or moral dimension? For that matter. is there anything you might call a spiritual or moral dimension?
A SOURCE OF MEANING
One odd result of material progress has been to increase the tendency of people to find life devoid of meaning. Back in the early Middle Ages, when life expectancy was around thirty and going to bed with a full stomach was a rare treat, people were sure life had meaning. In the late-modern era, as longevity became a virtual birthright in some societies, people began opining that existence is pointless. What’s more, adherents of this view tend to think that they’re on solid scientific ground—that modern science, by solving mysteries of life that in ages past were given divine explanation, underscores the absence of higher purpose.
What these people need is a good stiff thought experiment!…
Great article, Stucky. I really like you putting the Biblical stories into some historical political context. I have always found Jesus’ answers to those trap questions brilliant. The ARE non-answers, but so very different from a politician’s non-answer–they reveal rather than obfuscate the truth.
As far as taxes, I have long thought that an income tax revolt would be the best way to revolt against the US govt. If enough people maximized their exemptions simultaneously it would definitely send a message. The problem is “enough” people. If 20 people did it, no one would notice or care, if 20,000 did it, some “folks” would go to jail and some laws would be changed, if 20 million people did it, the government might very well collapse in a matter of weeks. I know it is a total pipe dream, BTW, never happen, too many people asleep…just saying it might work. At least get the ball rolling on revolution.
“The cast the first stone story, is not a parable” ——— dilligaf
You are 100% correct, it is NOT a parable.
1) Billy gives a definition of “parable”. That is not enough. What is needed are CHARACTERISTICS of a parable …. such as found in the link below. You will see that the adulteress story meets very few characteristics of a parable.
http://assets.bakerpublishinggroup.com/processed/esource-assets/files/302/original/hyperlink-04-02.pdf?1417056604
2) The word literally means “casting alongside”. In other words it does a comparison of one thing to another or a “likeness.”. For example, “the kingdom of heaven is LIKE a mustard seed ..” There is no “casting alongside” in the adulteress story.
3) Do a search “parables of Jesus”. What you will see are THREE columns for Matthew, Mark, and Luke …. and NONE for John. The Gospel of John contains NO parables (you can google that also).
4) I looked up 10 random parables. In EIGHT of them, Jesus announces that he is about to tell a parable; — “And when a great crowd came together and people from town after town came to him, he said in a parable a sower went out to sow his seed;….”, or He tells listeners after the story; “And when Jesus had finished these parables, “
“Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES did I think you were attacking me. Sorry if I did not make that clearer. I think you made excellent points! And, as you can see in my above post, I agree 100% regarding is being added to John.”
“Anyway!!!….. this article was about paying taxes …. but much discussion about the woman caught in adultery.
Which kinda makes sense since both involve getting fucked.”
The above is just a small sample of why you are such a great teacher. You are not only exceptionally intelligent, you are passionate and open minded.
Billy, I was 17 at that time, 55 now, closer to 56.
This version is pretty good as well.
Francis
Poor billy sure has a need to be recognized, and gives mighty weight to thumbs up/down. Billy, you’re smart. At times I wish I knew more psychology…
An attribute mainly lost on modern society is honor. Jesus NEVER lost his honor. He is the King of Glory:
Character, dignitas, existimatio, fama, good name, goodness, high regard, incorruptibility, integrity, moral rectitude, probity, purity, reliability, repute, respectability, righteousness, sense of responsibility, standing, status, trustworthiness, uprightness, and virtue.
Let’s emulate Jesus.
Admin. Off topic: why is PA AG Kathleen Kane in the news practically every day? She’s cute, but…
Well, that settle it . After hundreds of years of theological conflict, the shit throwers of TBP settled the Christian questions of the ages.
Stucky says:
flash
You’re welcome. Excellent comments.
“Hallelujah” is a mighty fine song … and Cohen does it as well as anybody.
Stucky,
In 2010 at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, KD Lang, another Canuck, did a rendition of “Hallelujah” that I think matches Cohens, or perhaps even betters it.
What do you think?
Apparently Andronicus had not yet read Romans 13 and thus knew not that he was to subjugate himself before the rule of government.
‘May you be punished, bloody tyrant, both you and those who have given you power to defile me with your impious sacrifices!’ shouted Andronicus. ‘One day you will know what you have done to the servants of God.’
‘Accursed scoundrel,’ replied the magistrate, ‘do you dare to curse the emperors who have given the world such long and profound peace?’
‘I have cursed them and I will curse them,’ was the reply, ‘these public scourges, these drinkers of blood that have turned the world upside-down.’
There was a time when the cost of speaking truth to power for a Christian was death. This is true nowhere in the West today, to my knowledge. Yet almost every so-called Christian leader avoids confronting the evil of the state; even worse, many fully and whole-heartedly support this evil.
Cowards and blasphemers.
HC
I must have watched a dozen or more Hallelujah vids looking for one HF might like … almost selected that KD Land one, it’s very good.
flash
That ‘Andronicus’ article (about Romans 13) that you posted from Lew Rockwell’s site was a nice little read.
Go Andronicus!!!
I kept my article under 3k words, and Lew still didn’t pick it up. That bastard!!!! 🙂
B.H,, above at 10:09 made a nice comment …. and then supplied a short url link. I just now read it. Maybe you missed it also? Here it is … a very nice short piece.
===============================================
Jesus’ Government
A classic by Joseph Sobran
Not again! Another politician “denies any wrongdoing,” but resigns his post. As the great American philosopher Jimmy Hatlo used to say, they’ll do it every time.
Why does corruption in government always surprise us? Why do we expect anything else from it? Government is organized force. It takes our wealth and makes war. And we think honest men would do that work?
Well, honest men have sincerely tried, but look at the results and ask yourself whether honesty has any inherent tendency to prevail in politics. War, taxation, waste, debt, inflation, hatred, hypocrisy, cynicism, social disorder. And also — amazingly enough! — corruption.
As I often say, expecting government to produce good results is like expecting a tiger to pull a plow. After the twentieth century, in which the world’s governments killed hundreds of millions of their own subjects, everyone ought to talk about the state the way Jews talk about Hitler. Yet we still have high hopes for this beast, because, after all, the mighty tiger is certainly strong enough to pull that plow if he wanted to! If only.
Even most Christians believe in the state, though Jesus never urged his followers to take political action. A very devout and intelligent Catholic socialist friend of mine argues that Jesus legitimized the state when he said, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s.”
But that’s reading an awful lot into a few words. Jesus wasn’t preaching to his followers at that moment; he certainly wasn’t preaching statism, let alone the authority of pagan emperors who claimed divinity and demanded idolatry. No, he was retorting to a trick question from his enemies, and he answered with a witty tautology. It might have been taken to mean, “Give Caesar everything he claims, and also give God his due.” But it could also mean, “Give Caesar nothing, and God everything.” Or it might mean something else; Jesus didn’t specify.
It was a brilliant ad lib. Jesus’ enemies were trying to bait him into endorsing either idolatry or sedition, and he deftly sidestepped them with a sentence the world still remembers. Not exactly a hearty vote of confidence in those who wield power, it seems to me.
Government doesn’t get much help from the Gospels. Don’t resist evil. Don’t fret about tomorrow. Trust your Father in heaven. The truth will make you free. He who takes up the sword will die by the sword. This is not advice our own Caesars are apt to take.
Jesus did exalt the publican, or tax collector, who prayed, “Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Today’s publicans, of course, are called “public servants,” and they deny any wrongdoing. Or they have their lawyers deny it for them. Maybe they also let their lawyers handle their carefully worded orisons.
Again, Jesus never used force or the threat of force, except, in a way, when he saw his Father’s house profaned. That was a special case, from which it’s hard to draw general conclusions, but he was acting on his own authority, not acting politically. And he was defying those in power, not supporting them.
In the end, the government murdered him. This fact ought to count for something in any discussion of temporal power. Maybe capital punishment is still justified, even if mistakes are made now and then and the Son of God is accidentally victimized. But I’d start with that accident.
Jesus’ mercy extends readily to the publican and the centurion, but for our time the absence of political rhetoric, or political “solutions” to human problems, is one of the most striking things about the Gospels. The state, taxation, and war are themselves assumed to be perennial problems, and there isn’t the faintest suggestion that “democracy” could relieve them, or turn them into blessings.
Right from the start, Jesus has been a disappointment to anyone hoping for salvation through politics. Many expected the Messiah to bring political and military deliverance — peace through strength, as it were. Instead they got a fiery preacher of peace who resisted the political temptation proffered by Satan, the very temptation the whole world is still succumbing to.
“My government is not of this world.” I think that’s a fair paraphrase of his words.
http://www.sobran.com/columns/
Stucky,
My favorite Halleluiah version is Jeff Buckley, truly beautiful, unfortunately he committed suicide, but he had a truly wonderful voice.
Bob.
Bostonbob
Wow. How did I miss THAT one??!! Very very nice. No, fabulous!
Hey … wiki says this —- “On May 29, 1997, while awaiting the arrival of his band from New York, he drowned during a spontaneous evening swim, fully clothed, in the Mississippi River when he was caught in the wake of a passing boat; his body was found on June 4.”
And this —- “The following statement was released from the Buckley estate: ‘Jeff Buckley’s death was not “mysterious,” related to drugs, alcohol, or suicide. We have a police report, a medical examiner’s report, and an eye witness to prove that it was an accidental drowning, and that Mr. Buckley was in a good frame of mind prior to the accident.”
Anyway … R.I.P. Jeff
Another fun version:
Stucky I find Jeff’s version haunting I think that is why I like it so much, and yes there were questions about his death, but if you read about his life and family it would appear that it may not have been accidental..
Bob.
Swedish, 22 very hot and blonde. Right up Billy’s ally.
Bob.
Her version in English:
Bob.
Sorry, That was Sarah Connor, no not that Sarah Connor. From Germany of Scottish, Irish and German descent. Very dangerous mix.
Bob.
One for the girls, 15 year old kid from Australia:
Bob.
One last one, an Easter version, not professional, but very nice especially for the religious.
Bob.
Okay one more, a priest does a version at wedding for a couple, in it is very cool.
Bob.
Note on the lyrics;
“Lucy Pitts from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh wrote the words to the song that Father Ray is singing…credit is due to this girl…she wrote the lyrics when she was 10 years old she is now 14…well done Lucy”
Ms, Freud: “I think you’re going to die soon.”
Me: “What do you mean?”
Ms Freud: “If you play ONE more Hallelujah song I WILL KILL YOU!!”
I’m not a Christian, or religious, but thank you for a very thought provoking essay.
sorry ,uncluttered clodhoppers , Cohen’s version was the classiest…suck it.
Stuck….maybe Rockwell heard you weres of German ancestry …racist Joo bastard…won’t publish any of Billy’s shit either.
BTW, the Bionic Mosquitoes article just added more evidence to your thesis that Jesus was a tax dodging anti-state radical.
All Jesus had to do was as Romans 13 dictated and keep his head lowered and serve the state in all things . And if the state said he was not the son of God , then his compliant servitude required him to obsequiously agree.
If Jesus didn’t obey Romans 13 then why should any other Christian.
Thanks Stuck for putting this together..some great food for christian versus statist thought here.
we’re all Romans now.
For all those who look to the bible for the definitive Jesus story, you’ve got it wrong. There has been, for more than 50 years, a factual book, written with notes from the time by those who witnessed all the events, and it’s available now… it requires only a sincere desire for truth and you will find it. But will you do so, I’m quite sure that answer is NO! because of your preconceived opinions, settled ideas, and long-standing prejudices.
One more thing… THE rendition of “Hallelujah” which makes all previous versions moot,
that last part is an opinion, the only opinion in my post… for those of you ideationally challenged.
m111ark
When someone comes along and says — “YOU got it ALL WRONG!!” … well, I just love those kind of stories.
C’mon … don’t be a dick!! WHICH secret book are you talking about????
The voices in your vid selection ….. very nice! Then again, I like that song so much I’d probably like it if Hillary sang it.
Stucky,
Sorry if I cluttered up you post, I hope I didn’t make Mrs Feud too mad. You can probably tell I really like this song. I probably have heard 100 versions, very few that I can say I did not like. BTW great article thanks again for your tremendous work.
Bob.
m111ark,
I have been a fan of Jackie Evancho for a number of years, an absolutely phenomenal singer. The clips of her as a young girl are absolutely stunning. Having seen this version before I will have to admit it is another great version.
Bob.
Here she is at 9 years old in a contest up here in MA in 2009.
Simply amazing.
Bob.
Amazing post. Fantastic job/writer.
kn33bar
Where have you been??
PLEASE POST HERE WITH MORE FREQUENCY …. like, every day.
Thank yeeew.
What did our Framers really say we must do when the federal government usurps power?
They never said, “When the federal government ignores the Constitution, amend the Constitution”.
They never said, “File a lawsuit and let federal judges decide.”
Instead, they advised two manly remedies. We’ll look at one of them – nullification – in this paper.
Stucky–Jesus didn’t say, “Let the one among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” This is the Counsel of Nicea clean up job for politically correct church thinking. Jesus reading their minds. said, “Let he among you who has not slept with this woman cast the first stone.” Makes more sense than the sanctified version that the good bishops proffered.
What is all this bible stuff? I though Stucky was a bit irreverent. I approve tho.
The big question that Stuck or others don’t answer is–Was Jesus a Catholic? hmmmm!
Stucky- Highly readable and entertaining, my understanding of the period is richer for it, thank you.
4 more to 100 !!!
fo’ mo’ !! c’mon now! gimme fo mo !!!
He said, “Yes.” And when he came into the house, Jesus spoke to him first, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth collect customs or poll-tax, from their sons or from strangers?” 26When Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus said to him, “Then the sons are exempt.
If we are, as you said, strangers in the land, then we are not exempt or ‘free’. We are subjects of the king and not his sons. Otherwise, we would not be taxed; only the little people pay taxes, not Hillary or Timothy.
Homer says: The big question that Stuck or others don’t answer is–Was Jesus a Catholic?
Danke Schoen!!!
Truth. Ms Freud is sitting opposite me. I said, “Can I play just one more Hallelujah song for you?”. “Ohhhh, ok.” So, I played the a Capella version. And she said, “Yes, that very nice.”. Then I told her to look at the screen, and when she saw it was just one person doing all the parts she said “WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!”. Really.
Such a beautiful version.
@El Coyote —- Kristofferson, love his stuff, he has a good understanding of the human condition —- “Most of us hate anyone that we don’t understand. But everybody’s gotta have somebody to look down on, who they can feel better than anytime they please. Someone doing something dirty decent folks can frown on. If you can’t find anybody else then help your self to me.” —- Yup.
Stolen from: http://riverbankoftruth.com
Lots of neat pictures, but can not give you a 100% money back guarantee on the content
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