Bible verse that justifies confrontation?

December 21, 2004 10:35 AM

I'm writing a story (set in the 1920s) about a deeply religious teenage girl who tries to rescue a friend from his abusive guardian. She consults the Bible and finds a verse or parable that she (mis?)interprets as justification for her actions. What is a good verse or story that one could use as justification to confront an abuser? Preferably NT, King James translation preferred.
posted by pxe2000 to writing & language (9 comments total)

Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV):

¹⁵Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. ¹⁶But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. ¹⁷And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

posted by DevilsAdvocate at 10:59 AM on December 21, 2004

James 4:17
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

That is to say, if she knows wrong is being done by the guardian and does not attempt to intervene, that would be wrong.

If Rush had been around in the 20s you could use the lyrics to "Freewill"!
posted by sonofsamiam at 11:09 AM on December 21, 2004

The revenge for the rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) might work, especially if the abuse is sexual or the revenge involves deception.

The story of Balaam's ass (Numbers 22) tells of a divine confrontation after a misguided set of beatings, though that's a bit of a stretch.

Oh, right! Exodus 2:11-12. Moses and the taskmaster. Probably just what you're looking for.
posted by ptermit at 1:49 PM on December 21, 2004

Matthew 10:34-37

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. "
posted by jefgodesky at 2:09 PM on December 21, 2004

Ezekiel 25:17-20

¹⁷The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. ¹⁸Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. ¹⁹And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. ²⁰And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

posted by Steve_at_Linnwood at 2:12 PM on December 21, 2004

i still can't read ezekiel 25:17 without hearing samuel l. jackson's voice in my head.

not protesting, just saying is all.
posted by pxe2000 at 2:15 PM on December 21, 2004

Oh, and also a bit from Q that you might consider to be on child abuse, found in Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42 and Luke 17:2.
posted by jefgodesky at 2:53 PM on December 21, 2004

The revenge for the rape of Dinah (Genesis 34) might work, especially if the abuse is sexual or the revenge involves deception.

Or mass circumcision.
posted by Alt F4 at 6:50 PM on December 21, 2004

Recognizing that this is all taken completely out of context, I'm game. These are all NIV (sorry).

Luke 14:26 - “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."

Matthew 12: 46-50 - "While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, 'Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.'
He replied to him, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'"

Matthew 23: 9 - "And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven."
posted by Alt F4 at 6:59 PM on December 21, 2004