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...
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...