I very seldom participate in the off-topic type discussions here, but as a full time pastor (who is married to a professional Christian counsellor), can I shed some light on a couple things here?
The 'turn the other cheek' passage in context says: ""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 the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. Matthew 5:38-42 ESV This actually does not speak directly to the situation of being in an abusive relationship, but outlines broader principles for living in a way that honours God. When it comes to issue of forgiveness, consider this: Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 ESV Again, this has nothing to do with staying in an abusive relationship (something I would not encourage). It's possible (and Jesus encouraged it) to take action to stay safe, but to still work at forgiving the perpetrator of the abuse. But these situations are often very complex emotionally, and extracting people from abusive relationships can be quite difficult and involved. The quote about: ""if you come to a place and they do not receive: you, wipe off the dust from you feet as you leave." Actually refers to the reception people give to the gospel, rather than rejection for other reasons. That's probably the most I've ever said on this list! But I recognise it's off-topic nature, and unless people want to continue this, I'll retreat back into my normal lurk mode. ;-) Regards ____________________________________ Neil Atwood - Sydney, Australia http://westserve.org - Blog, Christianity, Coffee and Tech Stuff. :-----Original Message----- :From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:hardware- :[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thane Sherrington (S) :Sent: Wednesday, 2 November 2005 1:04 AM :To: The Hardware List :Subject: Re: [H] Stealth monitor a system... : :At 09:30 AM 01/11/2005, warpmedia wrote: :>Man, that's what pastors are supposed to say! Turn the other cheek so I :>can hit you with a lead pipe, then turn again... :>What's missing in that philosophy is that some people bank on forgiveness :>so they can take advantage of you again and thus don't deserve it. : :Actually, I don't know if Jesus said to keep turning the cheek. Nor did he :say to stay in an abusive relationship. I would read the quote as being :more of a "If a person wrongs you, forgive them once." rather than "keep :taking in the teeth until you die" which is the way most people read :it. Recall Jesus also says "if you come to a place and they do not receive :you, wipe off the dust from you feet as you leave." So it's not like he :believed in getting beaten up for no reason. : :T
