As I said, this isn't about "I'm right - you're wrong". It would be the height of hypocrisy for me to get all self-righteous on you, because I'm just trying to work this out myself. Hitch, I responded to you in my post, so I realize now it looked like I was calling you out. I wasn't.
As I say, I'm working through a whole new perspective. Personally, I see too many times when we are told to seek peace, and no where in the new covenant that we are told to strike back. As I see it, there were clear OT calls for war and necessary violence, but there is nothing in the NT. Perhaps we are told that through Christ's Sacrifice, we are to sacrifice ourselves and be witnesses to His Peace. Once His Promise was to include gentlest, it seems a believer's witness to a violent world was to be more profound. All I know is there is nothing in the NT that calls us to strike back or models it.
Hitch, the police are ordered not to use unnecessary force, and that is consistent with my stance. I don't believe it's forbidden to restrain someone who attacks or defend ourselves. In my mind, this separates me from a true pacifist.
Reba, if there was a call to strike back in the verses you cited, I don't see them. Honest. Little help!