The Bible As Literature 188 — Mark 12:13–17 | Ideological Entrapment
Channel: Houseform Apologetics
Date: 2017-12-19

Dr. Richard Benton and Marc Boulos discuss Mark 12:13–17 | Aug 24th, 2017 

All ideology is self-referential: it begins with a desire for self-preservation and achieves fulfillment by exercising power. Whether we wield this power ourselves or ask others to wield it for us–because it is self-referential–it is always employed at the expense of others, especially those who are weaker than us.

All ideology is self-justifying and therefore destructive, but the worst kind operates under the pretense of morality. We see this all the time in traditional and social media: If my idea is morally right, then I am right and I have the right to exercise might. So you go ahead and post that meme that shows how stupid or evil “they” are. You took a stand. You stood up for right. You feel good. Congratulations, you’re a hypocrite.

When the Pharisees and the Herodians approach Jesus to entrap him, they too operate under the pretense of morality. As the prophets proclaim, you cannot serve God and at the same time seek security from worldly powers. You have to make a choice. So they accuse Jesus with a question. But their question, itself preoccupied with self-preservation, pertains neither to the Prophets nor the Law. On the contrary, their false question concerns the one from whom they seek security at the expense of God’s teaching: the Emperor of Rome.
 
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