Jesus as Revolutionary: Debating Violence

This chapter explores the contentious idea of whether Jesus endorsed a violent uprising against the Roman state, tracing the roots of this perspective to historical interpretations since the 1770s. It examines various New Testament passages, arguing that while some actions of Jesus may appear violent, they could also be understood symbolically rather than as calls for insurrection. The discussion critically analyzes the implications of Jesus' perceived rebellion and the nature of his followers' armed resistance during the Gospels' accounts.