Violence in the New Testament

Key Questions

• Is the New Testament a violent book?
• Is the God of the New Testament less violent than the God of the Old Testament?

Common Assumptions

• People often associate the wrath and punishment of God with the Old Testament.
• The ministry of Jesus is sometimes seen as a shift towards peace and love.
• However, the New Testament also contains depictions of violence.

Types of Violence in the New Testament

Name-Calling

• Jesus and gospel authors attack those who do not believe in him.
• Examples:
  • Pharisees: Called hypocrites (Matt 23:4-36).
  • Jews: Referred to as children of the devil (John 8:44).
  • Polytheists: Cretans described as liars and gluttons (Titus 1:12).

Household and Political Violence

• New Testament reflects violent societal norms.
• Parables by Jesus: Affirm beatings of household slaves (Luke 12:45-47).
• Paul's Letters:
  • Threatens Corinthians with a rod (1Cor 4:21).
  • Wishes castration upon opponents (Gal 5:12).

Final Judgement

• Described with violent imagery.

• Book of Revelation:

  • Cosmic battles and plagues.
  • Birds feast on flesh (Rev 19:17-21).

• New Testament's apocalyptic vision of God's judgment:

  • Christ's final destruction of powers (1Cor 15:24).
  • Jesus's fiery punishment (2Thess 1:5-10).
  • Parable of nobleman's return calls for enemy slaughter (Luke 19:27).

Observations

• The focus on the afterlife and judgement in the New Testament contrasts with the Old Testament.
• Mark Twain's viewpoint: Christianity introduced a crueler deity with the concept of hell.

Bibliography

• Kalmanofsky, Amy. Sexual Violence and Sacred Texts.
• Matthews, Shelly, and E. Leigh Gibson. Violence in the New Testament.
• Smith, Shanell T. The Woman Babylon and the Marks of Empire.

These notes summarize the key points and themes related to the presence and representation of violence in the New Testament, as discussed in the provided article.