You can’t give yourself a nickname. Before Jesus came, another man was heralded as the savior of the Jewish people. Judas, nicknamed “The Hammer” Maccabees was a brash, bold warrior who gave the Jewish oppressors more than they could handle. Surely, generations later, under the oppression of Rome, God’s people needed another Hammer, right? Nick and Matt discuss Jesus’s surprising approach to dealing with the powers that be, his victory over death and fear of death, and resurrection hope.
Interlude Music: Aeon Endingby Dew of Light
Theme Song:Believe by Posthumorous
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Episode Outline:
00:00 Introduction - Human History is a History of Fear of Death
00:24 Historical Context: Violence in Human History
02:00 The Maccabean Revolt: A Case Study
04:09 The Aftermath of the Maccabean Revolt
04:19 The Expectation of a Warrior Messiah
05:34 Jesus Enters the Scene: A Different Kind of Messiah
07:10 Jesus' Teachings: A Radical Departure from Violence
10:33 Jesus' Crucifixion: A Defeat or a Victory?
19:00 Death as an Intruder and Jailer
19:09 Jesus' Mission to Defeat Death
20:07 The Fear of Death and Power Struggles
20:31 Jesus' Victory Over Death
23:25 The Power of Resurrection Hope
24:32 The Church as a Witness to Jesus' Victory
27:30 The Dichotomy of Fear and Love
32:47 The Call to Active Resistance and Suffering if Need Be
37:57 The Early Christian Ethic and the Cross of Jesus
39:44 Closing Thoughts on Living Out the Gospel
