there are also theories that Jesus was referring to some custom or other where Romans backhanded people they saw as beneath them, so turning the other cheek would be challenging them to slap you with the palm like an equal.
same for the "extra mile". Romans were supposedly limited to forcing civilians to carry their gear one or two miles only, and going further could then incur punishment for the Roman.
i'm not sure if these 2 things are very historically accurate, but if they are they tell much more of a defiant Jesus Christ instructing His people to be as much of a nuisance to occupiers as they can be, not of a weak lamb for the slaughter telling us to hasten our deaths and humiliations. how could Christianity have survived if it was a death cult? how could it have led to the crusades and the reconquista if it called for total pacifism and submission?
there are also theories that Jesus was referring to some custom or other where Romans backhanded people they saw as beneath them, so turning the other cheek would be challenging them to slap you with the palm like an equal.
same for the "extra mile". Romans were supposedly limited to forcing civilians to carry their gear one or two miles only, and going further could then incur punishment for the Roman.
i'm not sure if these 2 things are very historically accurate, but if they are they tell much more of a defiant Jesus Christ instructing His people to be as much of a nuisance to occupiers as they can be, not of a weak lamb for the slaughter telling us to hasten our deaths and humiliations. how could Christianity have survived if it was a death cult? how could it have led to the crusades and the reconquista if it called for total pacifism and submission?