Jesus' clever dismissal of a legalist's kafka-trap. It worked because it created a new kafka-trap for the accuser to resolve. Quoting it like it means anything definitive is the height of ignorance and arrogance.
For detail of anyone who happens upon this: Jesus was being baited into rendering an opinion on a hot-button political issue, whether Jews should pay Roman taxes. This had no correct answer, as saying yes would weaken his appeal and make him look like a Roman shill, and saying no would be construed as an instantly arrestable offence for fomenting rebellion against Rome. His answer was brilliant because it asked the accuser to determine the most germane element of the question: If the currency is stamped with Caesar's bust, and you willingly use it as currency, then aren't you already a slave to Caesar? If you can rectify that in your mind, as naturally you would be able to, it's just currency, its not some spiritually significant thing, its just a means to an end, then haven't you already answered the real question being asked: does paying taxes stand in opposition to living a spiritually fulfilled existence? If it doesn't then your question is pointless, if it does, then you're already guilty and the question is pointless.
It's one of the reason I always tell people that the last book they should read from start to finish when studying philosophy is the Bible.
I always get askew glances and responses from this, especially after suggesting a bunch of other philosophical works that pose fascinating and thought-provoking questions.
But the reason for that is because after you read the basics (Aristotle, Epictetus, Plato), the greats (Paine, Descartes, Swami), and the mind-benders (Kant, Heidegger, Wittgenstein), a lot of people are still left with burning questions about some of the basics. So when they ask "Why?" they should read the Bible, I always say..."Because it's the only philosophical book that doesn't focus on the questions, but instead provides answers."
You're quite right. My philosophy courses included a class focused in religion, having us read through both the Bible and the Koran as well as studying some of the ancient European pantheons.
Better said “What I have to do, I do quickly”, with a cackle; which is at least honest malevolence. Dishonest evil is just whiney: it’s becoming part of the Cannuck brand. The pastor has the balls here.
Here's a another old one from Popular Mechanics: "drink water from thy own cistern is a clear sign that you should drink urine." I'd say it's paraphrased, but...
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!" - Acts 5:27-29
Ironically if they had held their underground church service literally underground (or indoors at all) they probably wouldn't have been caught. But instead they chose the covid-safer route of doing it outdoors, ironically getting him arrested on fears of him speeding covid.
To add to the irony they're holding the pastor in a facility that's had a covid outbreak. In fact, it's home to the 1st time a case had ever been reported at an Alberta correctional facility.
Nope, they even passed some emergency legislation to allow them to have a mass vigil in London ON. Their Mosques have been open for business all along, zero press or pushback from the authorities.
Probably someone who feels a lot of contempt for scripture. People who hate Christians like to use the Bible to attack Christians. Or they just make it up along the way like "...Jesus wouldn't do that."
The times are tough, but grin when you know that this will pass and think of the reward that this fellow is storing up in heaven.
He is a stud, and would not change what is happening for anything. the advertising that he and God are getting out of this will open many peoples eyes and bring far more to God than he ever could have done otherwise.
They are doing Him a favor actually, have they never heard that it is adversity that grows Gods church.
When times are fat people grow spiritually lean, when times are lean God shines his light and the people turn to him.
A few more arrests and this brave man will be a hero far beyond anything he could have achieved any other way.
As my father told me once when I was a lad and was going to have to fight a bully that I was pretty sure I could not defeat, Well son the bastards might can kill ya but they cant eat ya.. Holy crap Dad thanks for the pep talk.
He did whip me, but he declined the second offer.
Part of the problem here is that Caesar was a dictator, and so everything was his. The other problem is that Caesar was also the head of the Roman Church Religion... so what was God's was also his.
Quoting the Bible so out of context that you have to stop in the middle of the verse.
Jesus' clever dismissal of a legalist's kafka-trap. It worked because it created a new kafka-trap for the accuser to resolve. Quoting it like it means anything definitive is the height of ignorance and arrogance.
For detail of anyone who happens upon this: Jesus was being baited into rendering an opinion on a hot-button political issue, whether Jews should pay Roman taxes. This had no correct answer, as saying yes would weaken his appeal and make him look like a Roman shill, and saying no would be construed as an instantly arrestable offence for fomenting rebellion against Rome. His answer was brilliant because it asked the accuser to determine the most germane element of the question: If the currency is stamped with Caesar's bust, and you willingly use it as currency, then aren't you already a slave to Caesar? If you can rectify that in your mind, as naturally you would be able to, it's just currency, its not some spiritually significant thing, its just a means to an end, then haven't you already answered the real question being asked: does paying taxes stand in opposition to living a spiritually fulfilled existence? If it doesn't then your question is pointless, if it does, then you're already guilty and the question is pointless.
There's a reason we call Him Master ;)
This is such a great comment.
It's one of the reason I always tell people that the last book they should read from start to finish when studying philosophy is the Bible.
I always get askew glances and responses from this, especially after suggesting a bunch of other philosophical works that pose fascinating and thought-provoking questions.
But the reason for that is because after you read the basics (Aristotle, Epictetus, Plato), the greats (Paine, Descartes, Swami), and the mind-benders (Kant, Heidegger, Wittgenstein), a lot of people are still left with burning questions about some of the basics. So when they ask "Why?" they should read the Bible, I always say..."Because it's the only philosophical book that doesn't focus on the questions, but instead provides answers."
You're quite right. My philosophy courses included a class focused in religion, having us read through both the Bible and the Koran as well as studying some of the ancient European pantheons.
Reminds me of when Homer Simpson had to lift the spider's curse and simply recite a Bible verse.
Better said “What I have to do, I do quickly”, with a cackle; which is at least honest malevolence. Dishonest evil is just whiney: it’s becoming part of the Cannuck brand. The pastor has the balls here.
Here's a another old one from Popular Mechanics: "drink water from thy own cistern is a clear sign that you should drink urine." I'd say it's paraphrased, but...
Joel 3:10
Bend your coat hangers into auto sears.
and your gasoline turn to napalm.
The apostles were brought in and made to appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. “We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name,” he said. “Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man’s blood.” Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings!" - Acts 5:27-29
Ironically if they had held their underground church service literally underground (or indoors at all) they probably wouldn't have been caught. But instead they chose the covid-safer route of doing it outdoors, ironically getting him arrested on fears of him speeding covid.
To add to the irony they're holding the pastor in a facility that's had a covid outbreak. In fact, it's home to the 1st time a case had ever been reported at an Alberta correctional facility.
All according to plan. They want us all dead. Do not cooperate!
Why can't they just leave that man alone?
Because he isn't muslim, isn't advocating for sexually abusing children, and his congregation won't blow up government buildings in response.
I feel sorry for Christians, they have to take all of the shit but can't fight back or they will get shut down unlike a certain religion
Thou shalt not kill meant murder, not killing outright.
In Roblox, of course.
Because then he would have "won" against them, and they can't have that.
Christians are the punching bag of the West, they would never do this to a certain religion!
Nope, they even passed some emergency legislation to allow them to have a mass vigil in London ON. Their Mosques have been open for business all along, zero press or pushback from the authorities.
Because when you are a totalitarian, freedom is the most subversive weapon of all.
Agreed!
It's against their religion
Disgusting. At least in the US the government foot-soldiers try to pretend they aren't tyrants. "Sorry sir just doing my job."
They seem to enjoy it up there.
What kind of moronic psycho would even think to quote scripture while arresting a minister? Why would they say anything?
Probably someone who feels a lot of contempt for scripture. People who hate Christians like to use the Bible to attack Christians. Or they just make it up along the way like "...Jesus wouldn't do that."
Matthew 4:1-11.
In this case, Caesar should be given bullets.
"Sell your cloak and buy a sword."
Sic semper tyrannis
I'm starting to wonder if the police are run by the fucking Grinch.
"ARE THEY SINGING?"
#CALL THE FUCKING AIR CAVALRY
"I was just following orders." -Nuremburg 4:20
"I don't have to be careful, I've got a gun."
"Well, you'll probably want the accessory kit. Holster."
"Oh yeah."
"Bandolier."
"Baby."
"Silencer."
"Mmmhmmm."
"Loudener."
"Ahhhhh."
"Speed cocker."
"Ooo, I like the sound of that."
"And this is for shooting down police helicopters."
"Oh, I don't need anything like that. Yet."
Fuck. Caesar.
The times are tough, but grin when you know that this will pass and think of the reward that this fellow is storing up in heaven. He is a stud, and would not change what is happening for anything. the advertising that he and God are getting out of this will open many peoples eyes and bring far more to God than he ever could have done otherwise. They are doing Him a favor actually, have they never heard that it is adversity that grows Gods church. When times are fat people grow spiritually lean, when times are lean God shines his light and the people turn to him.
A few more arrests and this brave man will be a hero far beyond anything he could have achieved any other way. As my father told me once when I was a lad and was going to have to fight a bully that I was pretty sure I could not defeat, Well son the bastards might can kill ya but they cant eat ya.. Holy crap Dad thanks for the pep talk. He did whip me, but he declined the second offer.
Part of the problem here is that Caesar was a dictator, and so everything was his. The other problem is that Caesar was also the head of the Roman
ChurchReligion... so what was God's was also his.Caesar wasn't head of any Roman church when Jesus said that! In fact there wasn't any Roman church at the time.
Damnit. I meant to say Roman religion. Not church.