Alright Quote by John Dominic Crossan
“If somebody says, you know, to love your enemies, you could say, 'Well I'm going to love them to death.' We've done that sort of stuff so it can be done. But if you really start with love your enemies, and if you look at the tradition of the first Christian centuries, nobody ever seems to suggest well if they come after us to persecute us, is it alright to kill a few? Defensively, of course.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Historical Jesus: The Life of a Mediterranean Jewish Peasant, 1991
Love your enemies is a radical ethic that challenges retaliation, urging compassion even toward oppressors.
In simple terms: Compassion over revenge.
Key Takeaway
Practice empathy, not vengeance.
Themes
ethics
compassion
nonviolence
Christianity
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
theological
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- personal relationships
- social justice
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
agape
forgiveness
radical love
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you extend compassion to an aggressor?
- When is self‑defense justified?
A Different Perspective
It may be unrealistic to love those who cause harm without self‑protection.
