MATTHEAN ANTITHESIS: Offshoot to Moral and Legal Qualities

Patrick Gerard A. Paulino, MA Theo

Objectives
To present and be familiar with the Six Antithesis introduced in the Gospel of Matthew. To appraise the significant relation and difference of moral with legal character in the context of the Matthean Antithesis. To draw the meaning and message of the Gospel account in relation to Law and the Law Profession.

Terms to ponder on
Legal (Legalism, Legality) Crime (Criminal) Temporal Judgment Earthly Judge Letter of the Law Enforce/Implement Strict observer of the Law Measure/Value Act-oriented/Objectoriented Moral (Moralism, Morality) Sin (Sinner) Final Judgment Heavenly Judge Spirit of the Law Fulfillment/Satisfaction Understands the Law Virtue Person-oriented/Subjectoriented

(Matthean) Antithesis
Is a counter-proposition and denotes a direct contrast to the original proposition. Elements of Dialectics (any formal system of reasoning that arrives at the truth by the exchange of logical arguments) Thesis Antithesis Synthesis

Matthean Antithesis (Mt. 5:21 -48)

(In the Bible) The Antithesis of the Law is a section of the Sermon on the Mount (follows the Beatitudes and the metaphors of salt and light) in which Jesus is reported as taking six well known prescriptions of the Mosaic Law, and calling on his followers to do more than the law requires. ANGER ADULTERY DIVORCE OATHS RETALIATION LOVING ONES ENEMY

Sermon on the Mount the normative foundation of Christian morality

You have heard it said

But I say to you

The Fulfillment of the Law Matthew 5:17-20

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder Matthew 5:21-22

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder,[Ex 20:13] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother[1] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca,'[2] is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell.

Precept Law Thou shal not murder!

Sanction Anyone who commits murder over his brother will be brought before judge. Penalty: Death.

Law = Gospel

Do not commit murder! Jesus accepts death as punishment for murder. But he wants to punish murderous inclinations as well.

Gospel (+)

Do not harbor anger that impels to murder! Do not call names!

Whoever is angry and abusive will be prosecuted (officially and spiritually). Penalty: Damnation.

Radicalization
(a) Anger that impels to murder is as blameworthy as the action itself (act of murder). It displays the same disrespect for human life and dignity. It is of secondary importance whether the anger was caused by something previously done or not, whether the act that prompted it was accidental or willful. (b) Calling names (raka = fool, empty-headed; moros = stupid, blockhead) indicates a reprehensible state of mind. Therefore already abusive language entails evil that deserves condemnation. (c) Worship cannot redeem for the sin of harboring anger. On the contrary, it has to be postponed until a full reconciliation is attained, - a clear indication that fraternal responsibilities toward co-citizens have primacy over common cultic duties. (d) One has to reconcile and stay friendly no matter who has started the confrontation. Litigation is wrong and ought to be avoided. If you get to court your fate is in the hands of the officials, not something you can determine by your own will. And losing control over your own life is reprehensible if it is a result of your own failure.

Adultery Matthew 5:27 - 30

You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.'[Ex 20:14] But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Precept Law Thou shalt not commit adultery! You shall not commit adultery! Death.

Sanction

Law = Gospel

Jesus accepts physical execution but adds religious punishment. Adulterer deserves not only stoning but throwing of the whole body into hell.

Gospel (+)

You shall not have lustful looks and desires!

Removing voluntarily and preemptively the organs that have triggered the adulterous action.

Radicalization
(a) The thought of un-chastity (philandering) injures the marriage bond. Hence whoever looks with lust out of wedlock commits adultery. (b) The thought of un-chastity affects the mind. The outbreak of lustful desires in thoughts and looks is therefore as blameworthy as the adulterous action itself. (c) It is a profound insight to realize that our thoughts shape our character while looks engage in interaction both passively and actively; all the same, thoughts and looks are not equal to physical actions that are punishable. Therefore to condemn for corporeal or mental reactions which are not fully under conscious control sets the moral bar very high. Many people violate this precept and hardly anybody resorts to the suggested kind of self-punishment. (d) A voluntary self-punishment does not eradicate the sin committed in thoughts and desires. If we cut off a hand or an eye the person remains an adulterer although physically crippled. It is therefore impossible to undo the act of adulterous thoughts and looks by physical punishment.

Divorce Matthew 5:31 -32

It has been said, 'Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.'[Deut. 24:1] But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for marital unfaithfulness, causes her to become an adulteress, and anyone who marries the divorced woman commits adultery.

Precept Law When divorcing give a written notice of divorce to your wife!

Sanction

Law = Gospel

Legal penalty only for failure to give a letter of notice; wife is not permitted to divorce anyway. Divorce is permissible if For Jesus, this is the only the wife has not been case that justifies divorce. faithful. No punishment if it was a case of fornication. Never divorce if the wife has not been unfaithful! Damnation.

Gospel (+)

Radicalization
(a) Divorce leads to adultery. By divorcing you are inducing adultery on your ex-wife and her next husband if your wife remarries. Therefore both the no-fault and the fault based divorce are prohibited. The supposition is, of course, that marital communion is eternal (one of the sacraments). (b) Still, this is the only passage where NT allows divorce at least conditionally. If the wife was engaged in fornication (porneia) then remarrying does not entail adultery?! Therefore divorce should be permissible at least in this case for the man.

Oaths Matthew 5:33 - 37

Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Precept Law Do not break promise sealed by swearing, an oath or vow! Keep promise!

Sanction Otherwise: You could be cursed and subjected to divine wrath. Otherwise: Legal fine or religious condemnation.

Law = Gospel

Gospel (+)

Do not invoke the name Otherwise: Moral and of God! Do not make religious condemnation. any vow when promising!

Radicalization
(a) Redundancy. God is not separated from oaths and promises. All oaths equally involve God. Hence it does not matter much whether you swear by God loudly or silently. Oaths are simply unnecessary due to the continual presence of God. Therefore do not swear at all. (b) Sacrilege. You don't have right to invoke God and his belongings for your purposes. Even less it is appropriate to substitute evasively divine name by something less sacred! Such a substitution is blasphemous. To replace these lower instances by your own head is presumptuous. c) Dishonesty. Finally, swearing and making oaths leaves room for hypocrisy. It indicates certain mendacity and mistrust. Truthfulness should be secured by inner integrity of the person, not by an oath. Therefore everything beyond your word ("yes" or "no") is superfluous (or comes from the "evil one" who is the source of all dishonesty).

Retaliation Matthew 5:38 - 42

You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'[Ex 21:24] [Lev 24:20] [Deu 19:21] But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Precept Law

Sanction

Take a tooth for a tooth, Otherwise: A curse will an eye for an eye! fall on you.

Law ( - ) Reversal

No agreement. Do not take revenge at all!

Otherwise: Condemnation.

Gospel (+)

Surrender and reconcile!

Otherwise: No peace.

OT allows and even condones taking revenge. Historically, the principle of retaliation was introduced to curb excessive retribution, not to fuel it. But it became a kind of moral obligation that perpetuates the cycle of violence and displays utter disrespect for human life. This is the reason why Jesus renounces revenge altogether. Moreover, he curbs self-defense and resistance. Rules: (a) Give up the principle of retaliation and do not try to avenge wrongdoing. Break the cycle of revenge by doing something good. Cf. "Be good to those who are good and to those who are not. For goodness increases goodness." (Lao-tzu) (b) Do not resist the wrongdoer. Yield to violence and find peace in surrendering. Sometimes it is possible to defeat violence by giving in, but the objective is not just to take control over the situation but to exercise your own will and demonstrate the superiority of the good.

Practical Advices:
1. If you suffer physical violence from one side, turn the other cheek as well (possible effect: disarm the oppressor by submissiveness). 2. Do not litigate. If the contentious thing belongs to you, give it away and add even more. Possible effect: Diffuse tension by giving away (cf. potlatch). 3. If engaged in forced labor go an extra mile (possible effect: the self-imposition of burden may not only confuse the oppressor but eliminate mutual distrust). 4. Lend when asked to borrow something. Give what is asked either as a loan or gift (possible effect: relieve pressure by transforming the status of the demanded thing by your own will).

Christian Love Matthew 5:43 - 48

You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[Lev 19:18] and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Precept Law Popular Law Law = Gospel Love your neighbor! Hate your enemies! Love your neighbor!

Sanction Otherwise: Risk disfavor among your equals.

Otherwise: Moral condemnation.

Gospel (+)

Love your enemies!

Otherwise: Falling away from God.

Practical Advices
(a) Do not divide people into friends and enemies. Otherwise you are offending God, for God gives sunshine and rain to all men. Only loving both neighbors and enemies makes it possible for a man to share God's nature. (b) Be different from those who segregate people. How can you be the sons of your Father if you are not different from the Gentiles who speak only to their friends and the Publicans (tax collectors) who love only their likes because they like them. (A strong message to those faithful who cannot imagine loving somebody who does not share their religious views.)

To noteMatthean Antithesis
Evades legal proceedings (litigation) as much as possible Teaches that desire and Differentiates legal and action equally deserves moral qualities blame and censure Presents the earthly and divine (moral) sanctions Teaches that human reactions and passions must Suggests that moral be purified with virtues concern should be considered first before the Introduces a moral demand that is exceedingly radical legal matters Emphasizes Christian vocation and discipleship

How Does Law Relate to Morals? by Rav B. Horovitz

Law The Source Morality

Heteronomy, imposed from Autonomy, comes from without, made by within, the conscience and legislature, decided upon the character by law-courts, by the state or by God Concern only with the prevention of harm to others (JS Mill) Crime affects the community Pertains to the private life of the individual such as personal ethics, suicide, sexual behavior with mutual consent Sin affects only the individual

The Sphere

The Manner of Application Enforced by courts according to the sanctions attached to penalty

Right behavior which cannot be enforced

How Does Law Relate to Morals? by Rav B. Horovitz

Law The Attitude Adopts the aspect of social convenience Deals with contracts and rights Protects the oppressed Legal attitude has produced the economic man who follows utility Morality Views life from the aspect of virtue and the inner conscience of man Deals with duties Protects the oppressor from his evil nature Moral attitude has produced the moral man who follows the intrinsic virtue

The Value Relationship

1. The basis of law is morality 2. The fulfillment of law should be preceded by morality 3. Morality is necessary to perfect mans life in addition to his observance of the law 4. The purpose of law is morality

What to dodevelop a paper on the following:

1. From among the six antithesis, what is the most difficult/almost impossible to fulfill? Give some legal implications or support your argument with legal principles. 2. Identify a concrete situation wherein moral qualities are in conflict with legal matters and/or morality serves the law or the law serves morality. (Please submit on or before March 10, 2012 @ the College of Law Office)