Attitude Quote by Gregory A. Boyd
““Jesus expressed intense anger toward those who where immoral, such as the self-righteous Pharisees, but he never suggested that they were demonized. Toward the demonized, however, he never expressed anger; rather he exhibited only compassion. As Langton notes, "Pity rather than anger characterizes the attitude of Jesus toward the possessed...He treats them as if they were the victims of an involuntary possession." Indeed, he treats them as though they are casualties of war. For, in his view, this is precisely what they are.””
About This Quote
Source Theological Commentary: “The Jesus Conflict” by Gregory A. Boyd, 1998
Jesus showed compassion toward those considered possessed, seeing them as victims rather than evil, contrasting with his anger toward hypocritical leaders.
In simple terms: Compassion for the afflicted, anger for hypocrisy.
Key Takeaway
Practice empathy for those suffering.
Themes
compassion
justice
hypocrisy
spiritual warfare
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
theological
ethical
When to use this quote
- counseling the
- community leadership
- interfaith dialogue
- personal moral decisions
Key Concepts
theology
ethical behavior
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does compassion toward the “possessed” teach about judgment?
- How can we balance anger and mercy in leadership?
A Different Perspective
Some argue this view oversimplifies complex biblical narratives.
