A late night interpretation of Jesus’ thoughts about rich people by Sensitive Mark.
While we’re at it, don’t forget that one time that Jesus saw predatory lending practices going down in the temple and he actually got violent. Yes. Jesus got violent. Over predatory lending practices.
Throwing tables and threatening people with a whip. Jesus was super pissed.
And that part is consistent across all four of the Gospels. Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John vary in a lot of places, but they’re consistent on the money changers story. Also, the paintings that this inspired are pretty rad.
99% of the time, Jesus was all “love thy neighbor” and “turn the other cheek” and “if someone asks you to walk a mile with them, walk two,” but where usury was concerned, he’d straight up kick your ass.
Jesus: “Be chill. We should all be chill. But also don’t lend money to people and charge them ridiculously high interest rates. Don’t do that. Especially not when people borrow money for the purpose of doing the right thing and making themselves better people. I really fucking hate that. Seriously, just don’t.”
*smashcut to 2016*
Me, living in a society that is intrinsically founded upon Christian doctrine and beliefs: “Student loan debt and credit card interest rates, am I right?”
Historian note: US society isn’t “intrinsically founded upon Christian doctrine and beliefs” (see here and here); it just likes to pretend to be sometimes, for the benefit or oppression of various groups. This isn’t to say that Christian privilege isn’t a thing, culturally; just… the central doctrine thing not so much. Also, I love artistic interpretations of the chastisement of the moneylenders.
@firesidoni @tauntedoctopuses
