Can Religion Make You Free? A Sermon on Diabolical Happiness

After fasting for forty days and forty nights in the desert, Jesus is understandably a little hungry. The Devil appears and tempts him. The temptation takes the form of questioning, three questions to be precise. The first question involves food. The Devil says, and I paraphrase somewhat, 'If y...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Political theology : the journal of Christian Socialism 2013-01, Vol.14 (4), p.504-510
Main Author: Critchley, Simon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ethics
Food
Religions
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:After fasting for forty days and forty nights in the desert, Jesus is understandably a little hungry. The Devil appears and tempts him. The temptation takes the form of questioning, three questions to be precise. The first question involves food. The Devil says, and I paraphrase somewhat, 'If you are, as you say, the son of God, then turn these stones in the parched and barren wilderness into loaves of bread. Do this, not so much to feed yourself, starved as you are, but in order to feed those that might follow you, oh Son of God. Turn these stones into loaves and people will follow you like sheep ever after. Feed people first, then ask them to be virtuous. Food first, then ethics. Perform this miracle and people will happily become your slaves.'. Adapted from the source document.
ISSN:1462-317X
1743-1719
DOI:10.1179/1462317X13Z.00000000014