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Questions and Answers for Small Group Discussions

Question: What does Jesus mean when he says “love your enemy”?

Answer: Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:44-45). Remember that this is a corrective to the perception of the Old Testament law that said to love your neighbor but not those outside your tribe or group. Jesus is advocating a radical change and we see this love through his entry into Jerusalem, not to take it over but to die at the hands of his “enemies.” In our lives today, both personally and as a nation, this notion of love versus hate can be difficult. However, Jesus’ call is clearly centered in this principle.

Question: When is it right for a nation to go to war?

Answer: There are times when a person, group of people or nation must fight in defense of life or liberty. Evil in the world can not always be overcome simply by peaceful means, like diplomacy, communication, or even prayer, but must be subdued or eliminated with force. The question of what justifies an act of war is a matter of debate, but most people agree that a war becomes justifiable only when all other peaceful measures have been exhausted. The Old Testament is filled with examples of God’s people going to war with  their enemies, but Jesus’ teachings seem to direct humanity away from this form of resolving conflict.

Question: Are there ways to “work out” the part of the Sermon on the Mount that says, “Blessed are the peacemakers” even when the United States is at war?

Answer: In the Sermon, Jesus is identifying a list of people that will inherit the kingdom of heaven. Peacemakers are one group. So are the merciful, the meek, the mourning, the persecuted, and the poor in spirit. What is Jesus saying about heaven and those that make it there? Scholars interpret these verses differently, but the significance is that all of these people, including peacemakers, understand their need for Jesus to place their daily lives in light of something more than present hardships (Mt. 5:15-16). Opinions vary widely about the Iraq war. The task of the Christian is to make peace – where you work and where you live.

Question: What is the significance of Abraham as a starting point of similarity between Judaism, Christianity,and Islam? Are there strengths and challenges with this idea?

Answer: Remember that song from childhood, “Father Abraham”? It’s true. Abraham had many sons and daughters. And as a result, three major religions are rooted in Abraham. Christianity, as an offshoot of Judaism, has claims to the lineage of Abraham. Recall what the writer of Hebrews says, that Abraham’s faith was accounted to him as righteousness so to believe in the future coming of Jesus. What are the claims of Islam on Abraham? Since Abraham was the first to receive the revelation from God to leave his homeland and journey into new paths, Muhammad is said to be a descendant of Abraham. The Qur’an names Abraham as the father of all the prophets and the friend of God.

Question: Why does the Qur’an mention Jesus? What does it say?

Answer: The Qur’an mentions Jesus as a prophet. He is second to the testimony of Muhammad. But, there is no recognition that Jesus was anything more than a person who lived and died, a great prophet just below the ranks of Muhammad. The Qur’an repeats the description of Jesus as the “son of Mary,” instead of the “son of God”. Here is an example:

O Followers of the Gospel! Do not overstep the bounds [of truth] in your religious beliefs, and do not say of God anything but the truth. The Christ Jesus, son of Mary, was but God’s Apostle - [the fulfillment of] His promise which He had conveyed unto Mary. (4:171)

Question: Are there lessons in the story of Good Friday and Easter that might influence our response to 9/11?

Answer: The story of Jesus is a story of passion, death, and new life. But, many of his closest followers didn’t realize that His journey to Jerusalem would have the cross as its outcome. Instead, they thought he was entering Jerusalem to conquer it and set up a throne. We know that Jesus was to die and be raised from the dead. But the call is the same. Jesus tells us to take up our cross and follow him (Lk. 9:23). Tradition reminds us that this is not easy. Literally, every disciple but John was killed for the sake of the Gospel. Now, what do we do with this in our context, the United States the 21st Century? Jesus’ command to take up our cross pairs with his command to love our neighbor (Mt. 22:39). It’s about denying ourselves for the sake of others.