Comments on: The "least" bit of tension in Matthew 25 http://patmccullough.com/2006/09/23/the-least-bit-of-tension-in-matthew-25/ a blog exploring Christian origins, biblical studies, social/cultural history, method, education and the journey through academia Mon, 05 Sep 2011 20:53:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Patrick George McCullough http://patmccullough.com/2006/09/23/the-least-bit-of-tension-in-matthew-25/comment-page-1/#comment-24 Patrick George McCullough Thu, 28 Sep 2006 05:16:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/09/23/the-least-bit-of-tension-in-matthew-25/#comment-24 Hey Alan, good thoughts. Let me first stress just how conflicted I am about this passage. I don't think my post reveals that enough. I find it difficult to endorse a hermeneutic that is inconsistent with exegesis. But I think that it is appropriate to think of it in the larger context and realize that this passage needs to be reinterpreted in our present context.<br /><br />There is a great debate about several key phrases in this passage and "all the nations" is one of them. The most convincing arguments I read emphasized that "all the nations" (panta ta ethne), when used in most Jewish literature, refers to "Gentiles." As it would be used by Matthew, then, I would guess it would only refer to non-disciples.<br /><br />But as we reinterpret the text for how much change Christianity has gone through over the centuries, I think Gardner is right about seeing Western Christians as part of <i>today's</i> "nations." In that sense, you make a good point about the historical beginnings of MCC. I hadn't been thinking of that. I'm not sure that opening the interpretation of "the least" to non-disciples, however, would be consistent with the author's intent.<br /><br />That brings us to the tricky question of whether all meaning is found in the author's intent. How much stock do we put into the historical task to find the "original" meaning? When we can explain what generated the text and what the probable audience was... have we found meaning? We believe that Scripture is a living text and we have to figure out the implications of that frightening reality. I think that Gardner reminds me of that. Hey Alan, good thoughts. Let me first stress just how conflicted I am about this passage. I don’t think my post reveals that enough. I find it difficult to endorse a hermeneutic that is inconsistent with exegesis. But I think that it is appropriate to think of it in the larger context and realize that this passage needs to be reinterpreted in our present context.

There is a great debate about several key phrases in this passage and “all the nations” is one of them. The most convincing arguments I read emphasized that “all the nations” (panta ta ethne), when used in most Jewish literature, refers to “Gentiles.” As it would be used by Matthew, then, I would guess it would only refer to non-disciples.

But as we reinterpret the text for how much change Christianity has gone through over the centuries, I think Gardner is right about seeing Western Christians as part of today’s “nations.” In that sense, you make a good point about the historical beginnings of MCC. I hadn’t been thinking of that. I’m not sure that opening the interpretation of “the least” to non-disciples, however, would be consistent with the author’s intent.

That brings us to the tricky question of whether all meaning is found in the author’s intent. How much stock do we put into the historical task to find the “original” meaning? When we can explain what generated the text and what the probable audience was… have we found meaning? We believe that Scripture is a living text and we have to figure out the implications of that frightening reality. I think that Gardner reminds me of that.

]]> By: Alan & Beth Claassen Thrush http://patmccullough.com/2006/09/23/the-least-bit-of-tension-in-matthew-25/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Alan & Beth Claassen Thrush Tue, 26 Sep 2006 23:23:00 +0000 http://pgmccullough.wordpress.com/2006/09/23/the-least-bit-of-tension-in-matthew-25/#comment-23 Pat, I've been thinking about your post, and I'll try to piece together a few thoughts. If I'm understanding the BCBC commentater correctly, Jesus is speaking to 'the nations,' and he says that their fate depends upon how they treat 'the least of these,' which he interprets as his disciples. <br /><br />Two thoughts...one is that 'the nations' seems like it is all-inclusive, as it could be 'all the people.' So can we interpret it to include disciples and non-disciples? Second, MCC's interpretation of this verse isn't entirely off-base, especially from a historical perspective. MCC was formed in order to help the Mennonites of Russia who lived under persecutions of various types. These were 'the least of these' who were helped by MCC. I think over time MCC has perhaps expanded 'the least of these' to refer to believers and nonbelievers alike, although they still try to partner w/ local churches as much as possible.<br /><br />Gotta go, but it's a start...<br />Alan Pat, I’ve been thinking about your post, and I’ll try to piece together a few thoughts. If I’m understanding the BCBC commentater correctly, Jesus is speaking to ‘the nations,’ and he says that their fate depends upon how they treat ‘the least of these,’ which he interprets as his disciples.

Two thoughts…one is that ‘the nations’ seems like it is all-inclusive, as it could be ‘all the people.’ So can we interpret it to include disciples and non-disciples? Second, MCC’s interpretation of this verse isn’t entirely off-base, especially from a historical perspective. MCC was formed in order to help the Mennonites of Russia who lived under persecutions of various types. These were ‘the least of these’ who were helped by MCC. I think over time MCC has perhaps expanded ‘the least of these’ to refer to believers and nonbelievers alike, although they still try to partner w/ local churches as much as possible.

Gotta go, but it’s a start…
Alan

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