Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 3
Grebel also said, “The words of the Lord were meant to be put into practice,” and Dean claims early Anabaptists saw Jesus’ teachings as “the cure for humanity”; which teaching of Jesus do you most doubt would actually be “the cure” if practiced literally, and why?
Another way to ask: Which teaching of Jesus do you most doubt would actually “fix” people or society if we obeyed it literally? Why?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript pushes readers to wrestle especially with Jesus’ command to “love your enemies” as the practical “cure for humanity,” since Dean repeatedly treats this as a clear, present-tense command that replaces older patterns like “eye for an eye.” If someone doubts it would “work,” the transcript suggests that doubt often comes from believing enemy-love is unrealistic for safety, justice, or national survival.
- Dean says early Anabaptists didn’t treat Jesus’ teachings as future-only; they are “for humanity today… the cure for humanity.”
- He highlights warfare as the Old Testament pressure point and answers it by quoting Jesus: “now I say, love your enemies. Pray for those who persecute you.”
- He rejects postponing Jesus’ words to heaven: “How hard is it to love your enemies in heaven? These teachings are for today.”
- He frames obedience as literal: “What if Jesus really meant every word he said? It changed my life.”
- He connects practicing Jesus’ teaching with the church’s witness—an “embassy” showing the world a different way.