Jumpstarter 7 of 10

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Question 7

The chapter claims history shows Jewish Christians did not join the revolt but fled Jerusalem to Pella after Jews briefly freed the city; what does that decision suggest early Christians believed about suffering, loyalty, and the legitimacy of violent resistance, and what would modern Christians most likely criticize about their choice?

Another way to ask: If Jewish Christians fled to Pella instead of joining the revolt, what does that show about their views on suffering, loyalty, and using violence? What would Christians today most likely dislike or criticize about their choice?

Direct Answer Bercot uses the flight to Pella to suggest early Jewish Christians did not see violent resistance and national loyalty as part of their kingdom calling; they refused to fight even when their people had a moment of success. Modern Christians might criticize them as unpatriotic, irresponsible toward their neighbors, or unwilling to defend their homeland.

Support from Transcript:

Bercot states: “history shows that Christian Jews didn’t join the fight for Jewish independence.”
Instead, “the Christians abandoned Jerusalem after the Jews had freed it, briefly, from the Romans.”
“Instead of helping their countrymen, they fled to the city of Pella, outside Judea.”
He interprets it: “Like Jesus, the Jewish Christians in Judea weren’t Jewish patriots.”
They “didn’t care if Judea was ruled by Romans or by Jews,” because they had “no interest in promoting any earthly kingdom.”
He anticipates the objection: “Does that sound unpatriotic? Indeed, it was.”

Discussion Follow-ups What would it mean today to “flee” instead of fight for a cause your community calls righteous? Are there situations where refusing violence is viewed as moral failure rather than faithfulness?

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Jumpstarter 7 of 10