Resist No One Who Is Evil

From Peacebuilding

Contents 1 Note: 2 Aims: 3 Time: 4 Participants: 5 Materials: 6 Procedure: 7 Handout – Matthew 5:38-41

Note:

This activity is based on an article by the Bible scholar, Walter Wink. Professor Wink gives an interpretation of the popular passage from Matthew’s Gospel (5:38-41), which connects it with Jesus’ powerful nonviolent social struggle for change and justice, and clears the path of alleged claims of Christian passivity, docility and submissiveness.

First of all, participants are asked to meditate on and interpret the passage from Matthew’s Gospel. As a facilitator you should then develop a discussion based on the participants’ reflections. Finally, you should introduce the content of Wink’s article. I advise you to become very familiar with Wink’s article before facilitating this activity.

Aims:

• To reflect on the passage from Matthew’s Gospel (5:38-41)

• To introduce Walter Wink’s interpretation of this passage

• To reflect on Jesus’ third way – nonviolence

Time:

60 minutes, or more if necessary

Participants:

Any number

Materials:

• Copies of the handout “Matthew 5:38-41” (see below)

• Flip charts

• Markers

• Copies of Professor Wink's article: Christian Nonviolence.

Procedure:

I) Distribute a copy of the handout to each participant. Explain that the handout contains a passage from Matthew’s Gospel and ask participants to read it and reflect silently. Allow sufficient time (at least 5 minutes).

II) Ask participants to share their reflections.

III) Develop a discussion with a view to understanding the meaning of the passage from Matthew’s Gospel. Questions you may ask to encourage discussion include the following:

• What does this passage from the Bible suggest?

• What do the Scriptures mean by attributing the phrase “do not resist one who is evil” to Jesus?

• How are these words consistent with Jesus’ acts?

• How did Jesus resist evil?

• What do the three examples in this passage mean?

• How can we relate this passage from the Matthew’s Gospel to Jesus’ social struggle for justice and change?

IV) Introduce Walter Wink’s interpretation to participants and encourage discussion.

Handout – Matthew 5:38-41

You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you, Do not resist one who is evil. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn him the other also; and if anyone would sue you and take you coat, let him have your cloak as well; and if any one forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Attributed to Jesus in Matthew 5:38-41)