In the first day of the class on Islam, I brought up the idea that Christianity is nonviolent. I was challenged with the story of Jesus cleansing the temple. Once again, this story was lofted to legendary heights, unknown even to the gospel writers, depicting a wrathful Jesus embodying the righteous violence that we disciples are to imitate.
Again, we need to begin by looking at the Scripture, reading through the stories first.
Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” – Mt. xxi
When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” – Mk. xi
Then Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people selling animals for sacrifices. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” – Lk. xix
It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!” – Jo. ii
This is what I said previously about the story and the idea that Jesus was being our violent exemplar:
What’s missing from this story? From all four? The violence. The men being beaten. This version of Jesus who is showing us that he is not a pacifist, or is not against the use of violence at times. Christ sent them away. There was no malice, no violence, no injury to any one physically. Their pride and comfort are another issue.
This is a myth that has developed more so out of legend and presuppositions than from reading the text. The Christian pacifist is not having to rationalize their beliefs and practices to coexist with this violent outburst from Christ. We don’t need to work around the text. Reading the passages we see the text is quite irrelevant to the discussion of whether or not we must live a nonviolent life in imitation of Christ. When I think about possible nonviolent responses in certain situations, I never think about this passage. Not because its difficult in some way; but because it has no bearing in the conversation. Until someone can put forth a reasoned statement on how this passage shows a violent event, something contra pacifism/nonviolence, then, in the best Adam Savage voice I can muster, I’m going to have to call this myth Busted.
And so far I wouldn’t say anything different. I would only reiterate there is nothing violent about the story. There is nothing violent about what Jesus did. The text bears out the truth. I find it sad that this text, intended to be understood for the political upheaval going on, the radical statement being made by Jesus against the religious traditions and elites of his day, continues to be so brashly hijacked from it’s context in order to shut down the progress of someone spouting off peace and love. I must continue to pray that I will not fall into the trap of reacting violently to being ridiculed for following and teaching the nonviolent way of Jesus, that I will not try to force what I believe down people’s throats; but that I will live the truth, and be ready to defend that truth when asked to do so.
