In Matthew 5:38–46 Bercot emphasizes Jesus’ “commandment” not to resist an evil person or take revenge; how would early Christians—who saw the Sermon on the Mount as their “chief code”—have evaluated the English settlers’ stated readiness to use “force of arms” and “pursue revenge with force”?
Another way to ask: Since Jesus says not to take revenge (Matthew 5:38–46), how would early Christians have judged settlers who were ready to fight and “pursue revenge with force”?
Direct Answer
Based on Bercot’s teaching, early Christians would have judged the settlers’ plans as plainly unchristian, because they directly contradicted Jesus’ kingdom “commandment” to not resist evil and to love enemies.
Support from Transcript:
Bercot calls the Sermon on the Mount “the chief code for citizens of the kingdom of God” where Jesus sets forth “how His citizens were to live.”
He stresses Jesus gave “a commandment… that we don’t resist evil with force… [and] the New Testament forbids Christians from taking revenge.”
He contrasts this with settlers who left with minds made up they were “NOT going to turn the other cheek… [but] return evil for evil… exact vengeance.”
Peckham’s language endorses being “ready with force of arms” and, if opposed, to “pursue revenge with force.”
Bercot concludes: “from day one, this was not Christian America,” because they “had already decided to trample on Christ’s teachings.”
Discussion Follow-ups
What actions today do Christians excuse as “necessary defense” that might still be “resisting evil with force”? How do we tell the difference between self-preservation and disobedience to Jesus?
