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 Ending by 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