Bible (Archive 2)

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Bible Question: This is a re-post of a question I asked yesterday. Someone responded without answering the question and it has since gotten "buried". I would like to ask it one more time in the hopes someone can shed some light:

I recently read an article by a pastor who I deeply respect. He brought up the topic of corporate imprecations (curses) on those who are driving a particular evil agenda (I am not going to get into what the agenda is because I do not want to get into an issue other than my question). He referred to them as God's enemies (since they are actively and agressively promoting ungodliness) and are appropriate targets of the Church's holy curses. I have never heard of church curses. Anybody have any thoughts, insights, explanations on this topic? Thanks.

Bible Answer: Anathema - anything laid up or suspended; hence anything laid up in a temple or set apart as sacred. In this sense the form of the word is anath(ee)ma, once in plural used in the Greek New Testament, in Luke 21:5, where it is rendered "gifts." In the LXX. the form anathema is generally used as the rendering of the Hebrew word herem, derived from a verb which means (1) to consecrate or devote; and (2) to exterminate. Any object so devoted to the Lord could not be redeemed (Num. 18:14; Lev. 27:28, 29); and hence the idea of exterminating connected with the word. The Hebrew verb (haram) is frequently used of the extermination of idolatrous nations. It had a wide range of application. The anathema_ or _herem was a person or thing irrevocably devoted to God (Lev. 27:21, 28); and "none devoted shall be ransomed. He shall surely be put to death" (27:29). The word therefore carried the idea of devoted to destruction (Num. 21:2, 3; Josh. 6:17); and hence generally it meant a thing accursed. In Deut. 7:26 an idol is called a herem anathema, a thing accursed.

In the New Testament this word always implies execration (the act of cursing). In some cases an individual denounces an anathema on himself unless certain conditions are fulfilled (Acts 23:12, 14, 21). "To call Jesus accursed" [anathema] (1 Cor. 12:3) is to pronounce him execrated or accursed. If any one preached another gospel, the apostle says, "let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8, 9); i.e., let his conduct in so doing be accounted accursed.

In Rom. 9:3, the expression "accursed" (anathema) from Christ, i.e., excluded from fellowship or alliance with Christ, has occasioned much difficulty. The apostle here does not speak of his wish as a possible thing. It is simply a vehement expression of feeling, showing how strong was his desire for the salvation of his people.

The anathema in 1 Cor. 16:22 denotes simply that they who love not the Lord are rightly objects of loathing and execration to all holy beings; they are guilty of a crime that merits the severest condemnation; they are exposed to the just sentence of "everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord." (EASTON'S BIBLE DICTIONARY).

I would not be so bold as to set a curse on my enemies. The Lord said to love them. Perhaps the definition above is more in keeping with the Scripture as a whole. Curse their deeds not their persons.

John