Christian Pacifism, can Christians go to war?

[Doulos Iesou]

Introduction:

I am not 100% convinced on this topic, and indeed find it a hard issue to deal with. The topic is Christian Pacifism and the issue of just how radical is Jesus' call to peace and non-violence.

I don't expect to convince anyone, maybe myself perhaps, but rather to promote discussion so that I can come to a better understanding of the issue and perhaps glean wisdom from what others have to say.

Jesus and the Apostles:

Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? Matthew 26:52-53(ESV)

This statement is quite strong from Jesus, during his arrest Peter takes up the sword and strikes one of the soldiers so as to take off an ear. Jesus, rebukes his action and warns him that all who take the sword will perish (die) by the sword. He then appeals to the fact that Jesus could call down an Angel army to rescue him, but he is being given into the hands of their enemies so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled.

The questions then arise in my mind:

1. Does this apply to only private citizens and not the government, as the civil government does not bear the sword in vain and are God's ministers to bring about justice (Romans 13).

2. Does this apply to Christians participating in a war?

3. Does this apply to self-defense, and are there instances where violence to protect a family or loved ones is justified for the Christian?

These questions will be applicable for every passage.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you Matthew 5:43-44(ESV)

If we are to obey Jesus' commandment here, how can a Christian be involved with any kind of violence without violating this command?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. Matthew 5:38-39(ESV)

This passage seems to prohibit retaliation, even to the degree where you don't flee from violence, but offer up the cheek to patiently endure further injury. This concept is explained with the next verse I will offer.

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.†To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.†Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

As Christians, we are commanded to repay no one evil for evil, this is again as well as in v.19 a call to not retaliate for the Christian. Paul then builds a positive case for what is to be done instead of violence.

We are to "give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all." This requires us to think this out, instead of repaying evil, we are instead to consider what would be the most honorable decision in that instance. Some examples are given later in v.20. If our enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink. While our enemies would want to destroy our bodies, we ought to be ready to care for the most basic needs of their bodies, to be compassionate and help them.

Effectively overcoming evil with good, just as our Lord did.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23(ESV)

Conclusion:

There are certainly more texts to explore, but I wanted to stop here so it's not too much content to deal with.

I think from what I have read so far in these passages there are difficult questions to ask, but certainly a radical to peaceful living when following Jesus. If we are to truly follow his example, and be his followers and disciples, how can we justify acting violently in any scenario when he himself never did so?

Thoughts?

 

[John 8:32]

A Christian should not be engaged in war. Christ's plain teachings show that...

Mat 5:38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
Mat 5:39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Mat 5:40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.
Mat 5:41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
Mat 5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Mat 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mat 5:46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
Mat 5:47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
Mat 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

So what do we do?

Exo 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
Exo 14:14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

2Ch 20:1 It came to pass after this also, that the children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle.
2Ch 20:2 Then there came some that told Jehoshaphat, saying, There cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria; and, behold, they be in Hazazontamar, which is Engedi.
2Ch 20:3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the LORD, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah.
2Ch 20:4 And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the LORD: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the LORD.
2Ch 20:5 And Jehoshaphat stood in the congregation of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the LORD, before the new court,
2Ch 20:6 And said, O LORD God of our fathers, art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? and in thine hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand thee?
2Ch 20:7 Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever?
2Ch 20:8 And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying,
2Ch 20:9 If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.
2Ch 20:10 And now, behold, the children of Ammon and Moab and mount Seir, whom thou wouldest not let Israel invade, when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them, and destroyed them not;
2Ch 20:11 Behold, I say, how they reward us, to come to cast us out of thy possession, which thou hast given us to inherit.
2Ch 20:12 O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee.

2Ch 20:13 And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.
2Ch 20:14 Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation;
2Ch 20:15 And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.
2Ch 20:16 To morrow go ye down against them: behold, they come up by the cliff of Ziz; and ye shall find them at the end of the brook, before the wilderness of Jeruel.
2Ch 20:17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

2Ch 20:21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever.
2Ch 20:22 And when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
2Ch 20:23 For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another.
2Ch 20:24 And when Judah came toward the watch tower in the wilderness, they looked unto the multitude, and, behold, they were dead bodies fallen to the earth, and none escaped.

Is God incapable of doing that today?

God never intended for people to fight and war.

 

[John 8:32]

Another example...

2Ki 19:5 So the servants of king Hezekiah came to Isaiah.
2Ki 19:6 And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus saith the LORD, Be not afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me.
2Ki 19:7 Behold, I will send a blast upon him, and he shall hear a rumour, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
2Ki 19:8 So Rabshakeh returned, and found the king of Assyria warring against Libnah: for he had heard that he was departed from Lachish.
2Ki 19:9 And when he heard say of Tirhakah king of Ethiopia, Behold, he is come out to fight against thee: he sent messengers again unto Hezekiah, saying,
2Ki 19:10 Thus shall ye speak to Hezekiah king of Judah, saying, Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be delivered into the hand of the king of Assyria.
2Ki 19:11 Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered?
2Ki 19:12 Have the gods of the nations delivered them which my fathers have destroyed; as Gozan, and Haran, and Rezeph, and the children of Eden which were in Thelasar?
2Ki 19:13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?
2Ki 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
2Ki 19:15 And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
2Ki 19:16 LORD, bow down thine ear, and hear: open, LORD, thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God.
2Ki 19:17 Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,
2Ki 19:18 And have cast their gods into the fire: for they were no gods, but the work of men's hands, wood and stone: therefore they have destroyed them.
2Ki 19:19 Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.

2Ki 19:32 Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.
2Ki 19:33 By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and shall not come into this city, saith the LORD.
2Ki 19:34 For I will defend this city, to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David's sake.
2Ki 19:35 And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
2Ki 19:36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed, and went and returned, and dwelt at Nineveh.
2Ki 19:37 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword: and they escaped into the land of Armenia. And Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.

Isa 59:1 Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:

 

[Sinthesis]

Yes, Christians can go to war.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

We are in the world but not of the world.
Most christians I have met have a hard time dealing with this. They have problems believing that our allegiance is to our God in heaven because that is our home.
1 Peter 2:11
We are aliens and strangers in this world.
Do we take this literally?
If so, it should affect the way we think and act.
If we don't take this passage literally, then what does it mean?

2 Corinthians 5:20
We are ambassadors for Christ.
What is an ambassador?
It is someone who visits a country and represents another country.
How are we ambassadors?
Wherever we are,. we represent God, for he is the king of our heavenly home.
Ambassadors never get involved in the affairs of a country they are only visiting.

2 Timothy 2:4
We are soldiers for Christ.
We cannot be soldiers for another country at the same time.
There is a conflict of interest.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
As christians, we wage war differently than the world does.

Ephesians 6:10-18
These are the weapons that God supplies us to combat the enemy.

I am quite surprised that so few christians can grasp this.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

Yes, Christians can go to war.

Have anything more to contribute besides a naked assertion about what your opinion is? How do you reconcile that belief with what Jesus' and the Apostles call to preach on the matter?

 

[endtimesdeut32/70AD]

I don't believe Rom 13 has anything to really do with civil Govt either. The "Higher powers" of vs 1 I believe are the intervention of the living God promised to come in their favor through the Roman Armies. Vs 18,19 of the previous chapter is a quote from Deut 32 and the instruction that the believers [sons and daughters of God] are not supposed to take vengeance out on the persecuting jews, [their enemies] but were to defer vengeance on God's protection. Civil govt seems partly as much for militant people [uncivilized] as does just war theory.

At this specific time the people to whom Paul was writing to would soon be going through a testing and persecution of their faith through the combined attention of both Rome and judaism. The Christians are the Saints of the Most High God of Dan 7. It was given for Nero to war against them for 31/2 yrs until the judgment SAT in their favor and the tide turned against the instigators of the persecution. The testimony of monotheism on the earth was openly shown to be transferred to the believers in Chirst as living God incarnate; [Shiloh, the new prophet, Messiah etc]. Thus Pauls use of the words "higher powers" have a direct appeal to the Most High of Dan 7.

The individual believers at that time already possessed eternal life and the right to physical life. But they defered that right to physical life to the lifes of even their persecutors in the hope that they might also come to knowledge of the eternal God. In Rom 10 & 11, Paul affirms that at this time it was prophecied that some jews in those last days of their nation were destined to come to faith by jealousy in the testimony of Peace which they would witness in the ones they were persecuting.

10:19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
11:29 As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father's sakes.
11:31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.

Let every believing soul [already gifted with eternal life] who are enduring persecution [context from previous chapters] subject themselves to powers and veangeance of the living God. They were not to take vengeance or wrath into their own hands.

Here below is a breakdown on Rom 13 in light of paying tribute to whom tribute is due and other topics.

http://fulfilledprophecystudies.wor...-first-century-ending-of-the-mosaic-covenant/

 

[Mike S]

I think it's easier to make the case for Christian pacifism than for Christians justifying war. But, having said that, we have to recognize that Christians have differed on this from the beginning. Quakers (most Quakers) believe pacifism is a moral imperative, while Saints Augustine and Aquinas make a powerful case for the theory of "Just War." I've come to believe it's a matter of individual conscience, and not a clear mandate from scripture.



For clarity, it's probably a good idea for me to state that I'm not a pacifist, being a Methodist, we do believe in the just war theory, stating in our discipline "... We therefore reject war as the usual instrument of national policy..." But, I'm also completely familiar with, and accepting of, the Quaker position. I've been married to a Quaker for nearly 40 years, having been married in a Quaker Meeting for Worship. My wife, and my in-laws, are entirely sincere in the pacifist beliefs, and are perhaps the most moral people I've ever met. The believe that there is "...that of God within each of us..." and that participation in war is never justified. I would not presume to try to convince them otherwise.

 

[Sinthesis]

Yes, Christians can go to war.

Have anything more to contribute besides a naked assertion about what your opinion is? How do you reconcile that belief with what Jesus' and the Apostles call to preach on the matter?

I don't believe my assertion is in conflict with what Jesus and the apostles taught on the matter.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

I don't believe my assertion is in conflict with what Jesus and the apostles taught on the matter.

That doesn't clarify or support anything that you have said so far, except that you (of course) believe nothing you said is in conflict. Can you actually show that from Scripture, how it does not conflict? From any of the passages I mentioned for example.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

I think it's easier to make the case for Christian pacifism than for Christians justifying war. But, having said that, we have to recognize that Christians have differed on this from the beginning. Quakers (most Quakers) believe pacifism is a moral imperative, while Saints Augustine and Aquinas make a powerful case for the theory of "Just War." I've come to believe it's a matter of individual conscience, and not a clear mandate from scripture.

For clarity, it's probably a good idea for me to state that I'm not a pacifist, being a Methodist, we do believe in the just war theory, stating in our discipline "... We therefore reject war as the usual instrument of national policy..." But, I'm also completely familiar with, and accepting of, the Quaker position. I've been married to a Quaker for nearly 40 years, having been married in a Quaker Meeting for Worship. My wife, and my in-laws, are entirely sincere in the pacifist beliefs, and are perhaps the most moral people I've ever met. The believe that there is "...that of God within each of us..." and that participation in war is never justified. I would not presume to try to convince them otherwise.

Hi mark,

I appreciate your perspectives and thoughts, I think they are well informed and wise.

Can you possibly though, support the Just War theory from Scripture? Just curious.

Blessings in Christ,
Servant of Jesus

 

[jasoncran]

I have been to war. I have no issues with my time in country nor time in dsca operations. I will answer the questions on what dsca is in pm form only.it makes No sense to me that if we are to vote and pay taxes not to serve in any office.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

I have been to war. I have no issues with my time in country nor time in dsca operations. I will answer the questions on what dsca is in pm form only.it makes No sense to me that if we are to vote and pay taxes not to serve in any office.

How then do you reconcile that with Jesus teachings on the matter, that blessed are the peacemakers, and that we are to not retaliate when reviled, and that we are to love our enemies and overcome evil with good? That those who live by the sword will die by the sword?

When we as Christians take a life, even in war, how does that model our savior who came not to destroy lives but to save them?

 

[jasoncran]

so then why do you call the cops when you see a murder about to happen knowing full well that if that murder is about to happen and or the suspect fails to comply lethal force will be used on the suspect?isnt it a SIN THEN to tempt men to sin. if killing is a sin in all forms then so to is calling the law. remember whom the of law answer too in the end. GOD.


I would prefer to live under the sword tempered by a believer then by one tempered by a pagan.i never fired a shot and or even went hands on with the enemy. in fact I have helped the locals far more then anything. like I said if you have questions what dsca is pm me on what it is. you might just learn to appreciate what the guard and cops do to help and protect the citizens in times of disaster.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

so then why do you call the cops when you see a murder about to happen knowing full well that if that murder is about to happen and or the suspect fails to comply lethal force will be used on the suspect?

Good question.

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. Romans 13:1-5

As you can see here, the governing authorities have a special mandate from God to be his "avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." Governments have authority from God to exercise and enforce their laws, this of course does not grant the authority to civil governments to injustly act and purport violence.

isnt it a SIN THEN to tempt men to sin. if killing is a sin in all forms then so to is calling the law. remember whom the of law answer too in the end. GOD.

It seems your objection ignores Romans 13, and that I am speaking about the Christian's personal walk, should he be the one engaged in violence of any sort?

I would prefer to live under the sword tempered by a believer then by one tempered by a pagan.i never fired a shot and or even went hands on with the enemy. in fact I have helped the locals far more then anything. like I said if you have questions what dsca is pm me on what it is. you might just learn to appreciate what the guard and cops do to help and protect the citizens in times of disaster.

I once thought very seriously about becoming a Police Officer (before I was a Christian though) and I am not lacking in any appreciation towards them, as my above comments and Scripture posted support.

However, that still does not settle the matter.

 

[jasoncran]

im sorry I disagree. calling the law into to do what you wouldn't isn't my style. never ask a man to do what you are able to do or if you do at least respect them that are able to do what you cant.

remember what jesus said clearly to the roman soldiers. he said not to treat men roughly..surely that would have been the place to push that doctrine.i have assisted cops in missions. nothing big but I have. I have ensure men and women have water and food during disasters.

 

[Sinthesis]

I don't believe my assertion is in conflict with what Jesus and the apostles taught on the matter.

That doesn't clarify or support anything that you have said so far, except that you (of course) believe nothing you said is in conflict. Can you actually show that from Scripture, how it does not conflict? From any of the passages I mentioned for example.

Matthew 26:52-53 -- Peter initiated violence to defend Jesus; this was unneeded and wrong.

Matthew 5:43-44 -- This is not necessarily just about war and violence. We love our enemies by not initiating violence thereby giving them time to repent.

Matthew 5:38-39 -- An OT idiom overthrown by the idea that anyone secure in Christ's glory need not avenge their own personal honor.

Romans 12:17-21 -- See above.

1 Peter 2:23 -- See above.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

im sorry I disagree. calling the law into to do what you wouldn't isn't my style. never ask a man to do what you are able to do or if you do at least respect them that are able to do what you cant.

"Just isn't your style?" Since when did Jesus call us to follow his commands and example, except in the cases where it "isn't your style"?

Do you have Scripture inform your world view, or do you simply follow whatever seems right to you?

remember what jesus said clearly to the roman soldiers. he said not to treat men roughly..surely that would have been the place to push that doctrine.i have assisted cops in missions. nothing big but I have. I have ensure men and women have water and food during disasters.

What does you helping give men and women food and water during disasters have to do with whether or not Christians can partake in violence?

Would you feed, clothe, give water to those who opposed you in war?

 

[Mike S]

I think it's easier to make the case for Christian pacifism than for Christians justifying war. But, having said that, we have to recognize that Christians have differed on this from the beginning. Quakers (most Quakers) believe pacifism is a moral imperative, while Saints Augustine and Aquinas make a powerful case for the theory of "Just War." I've come to believe it's a matter of individual conscience, and not a clear mandate from scripture.

For clarity, it's probably a good idea for me to state that I'm not a pacifist, being a Methodist, we do believe in the just war theory, stating in our discipline "... We therefore reject war as the usual instrument of national policy..." But, I'm also completely familiar with, and accepting of, the Quaker position. I've been married to a Quaker for nearly 40 years, having been married in a Quaker Meeting for Worship. My wife, and my in-laws, are entirely sincere in the pacifist beliefs, and are perhaps the most moral people I've ever met. The believe that there is "...that of God within each of us..." and that participation in war is never justified. I would not presume to try to convince them otherwise.

Hi mark,

I appreciate your perspectives and thoughts, I think they are well informed and wise.

Can you possibly though, support the Just War theory from Scripture? Just curious.

Blessings in Christ,
Servant of Jesus

It IS possible, but I believe the scriptural case for pacifism is far stronger, particularly given Christ's words, as best we can discern them. The message to not return evil with evil, and to turn the other cheek, is easy to see in His ministry. But, as Christians, we are inheritors of Israel's blessings, and the Hebrew writings - very much a part of our Christian faith - are filled with justifications for violence...under certain circumstance and for specific times.

There is also Roman 13:3-4 in which Paul inplies a legitimate role for force used by the state as an instrument of God's justice.

"For rulers are not a cause of fear for good behavior, but for evil. Do you want to have no fear of authority ? Do what is good and you will have praise from the same ; for it is a minister of God to you for good. But if you do what is evil, be afraid ; for it does not bear the sword for nothing ; for it is a minister of God, an avenger who brings wrath on the one who practices evil."


For me, Doulos, it's important to remember that the just war theory not only provides specific times and means for justifiable war, but it starts with an abhorrence of war in the first instance. War is NEVER to be used as a routine or normal means of dealing with evil. It's clear to me that God's desire for us is to avoid violence, to overcome evil with good whenever possible.

 

[Doulos Iesou]

Matthew 26:52-53 -- Peter initiated violence to defend Jesus; this was unneeded and wrong.

ALL who live by the sword will die by the sword says Jesus, this doesn't seem to be a rebuke catered to a specific instance or person.

Matthew 5:43-44 -- This is not necessarily just about war and violence. We love our enemies by not initiating violence thereby giving them time to repent.

We love our enemies by not initiating? What if they do initiate, are we free then to retaliate, or are we rather to turn the cheek?

We love our enemies by praying for them and blessing them and caring for their needs.

Matthew 5:38-39 -- An OT idiom overthrown by the idea that anyone secure in Christ's glory need not avenge their own personal honor.

This is only in regards to avenging "personal honor?" I do not think so as this is refuted by simply appealing to Romans 12 (the text you didn't respond to) that says never to avenge yourself but to leave it up to the wrath of God. That isn't just speaking about personal honor, Jesus and Paul seem to be prohibiting violent retribution of any kind.