Could Jesus' teaching be considered radical?
Introduction. When we compare some of Jesus' teaching with other teaching, Jesus' teaching is extreme and radical. Jesus' sermon on the mount was a refutation of the many Jewish perversions of His day (see Matt. 5: 20-48). Jesus' teaching against retaliation certainly was viewed as radical by the traditional Jew (Matt. 5:38-42).
Jesus' teaching regarding self-denial. Most believe and practice what they do simply because it is what they want. Civil, social, and domestic problems abound because of selfishness. Frankly, denominationalism itself is the product of man's selfishness. Listen to Jesus: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself...." (Luke 9: 23). Truly, Jesus' teaching on self-denial is considered radical by many.
Jesus' teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Succinctly, Jesus' taught marriage is monogamous and is for life (Matt. 19: 4-9). He taught that there is only one acceptable cause for divorce, fornication, and that all who remarry for any other cause are in adultery (Matt. 5: 32, 19: 9). Radical? Compared to our permissive society and much of the religious world, yes!
Truth even if division is experienced. Jesus never taught the ecumenical unity common in our day (religious politics). Jesus' unity consisted of a sameness of belief and practice (John 17: 14-21, cf. 1 John 1: 4-9, Eph. 4: 3-6). In fact, Jesus taught and exemplified that truth is so important that if there cannot be doctrinal agreement, division should follow (Matt. 15: 3-14, 10: 34-38). Actually, Jesus caused division on many occasions (John 10: 19, Luke 12: 51). Jesus taught that, when necessary, there may be division between father and son.... (Matt. 10: 34-37). In view of the foregoing, Jesus' teaching can be considered radical.
Jesus' teaching regarding self-denial. Most believe and practice what they do simply because it is what they want. Civil, social, and domestic problems abound because of selfishness. Frankly, denominationalism itself is the product of man's selfishness. Listen to Jesus: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself...." (Luke 9: 23). Truly, Jesus' teaching on self-denial is considered radical by many.
Jesus' teaching on marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Succinctly, Jesus' taught marriage is monogamous and is for life (Matt. 19: 4-9). He taught that there is only one acceptable cause for divorce, fornication, and that all who remarry for any other cause are in adultery (Matt. 5: 32, 19: 9). Radical? Compared to our permissive society and much of the religious world, yes!
Truth even if division is experienced. Jesus never taught the ecumenical unity common in our day (religious politics). Jesus' unity consisted of a sameness of belief and practice (John 17: 14-21, cf. 1 John 1: 4-9, Eph. 4: 3-6). In fact, Jesus taught and exemplified that truth is so important that if there cannot be doctrinal agreement, division should follow (Matt. 15: 3-14, 10: 34-38). Actually, Jesus caused division on many occasions (John 10: 19, Luke 12: 51). Jesus taught that, when necessary, there may be division between father and son.... (Matt. 10: 34-37). In view of the foregoing, Jesus' teaching can be considered radical.