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Jumpstarter 9 of 10

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Christian Citizenship  /  Two Kingdoms  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 9
The lesson insists early Christians held to nonretaliation in concrete ways—no “blow for blow,” no lawsuits, no violence, no defending even property taken by force—and connects this to the claim that “the means…is just as important as the end”; where do you most instinctively believe “the end justifies the means,” and what would repentance look like if Jesus’ commands (Matthew 5:38–41; Romans 12:19–21) were taken as day-to-day kingdom law rather than ideals?
Another way to ask: Early Christians practiced nonretaliation in real life—no payback, no lawsuits, no violence, not even defending stolen property—and said the way you act matters as much as the goal. Where are you most tempted to think “the end justifies the means,” and what would it look like to obey Jesus’ commands as daily rules, not just ideals?

Direct Answer Bercot teaches that true kingdom obedience rejects “end justifies the means” thinking; repentance would mean stopping retaliation and coercion and choosing Jesus’ daily commands—nonresistance, generosity under loss, and overcoming evil with good.

Support from Transcript:

  • Athenagoras: “We have learned not to return blow for blow, nor go to law with those who plunder and rob us…offer the other side also.”
  • Clement: Christians are “not allowed to use violence to correct the delinquencies of sin.”
  • Lactantius: the Christian “does not even defend his own property if it is taken from him by violence.”
  • Bercot says pagans noticed this: Celsus wrote Christians teach “we should not avenge ourselves.”
  • He contrasts world logic: “the end justifies the mean,” but Christians knew “as soon as you start using Satan’s means, you’ve already corrupted the end.”
  • Jesus’ and Paul’s commands are quoted directly: Matthew 5:38–41 (“do not resist an evil person…turn the other cheek”) and Romans 12:19–21 (“do not avenge yourselves…overcome evil with good”).
Discussion Follow-ups The transcript focuses on retaliation, lawsuits, violence, and property. Where do you see yourself most tempted to “fix” things through pressure, threats, or payback—even if your goal feels righteous?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
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