Should every Christian be a Pacifist?

[Rollo Tamasi]

As my relationship with Jesus grows, I tend to think and act as a pacifist.
I can only hope that if the occasion should arise, that I would call out to Jesus for help rather than take matters into my own hands.

 

[Vaccine]

My Son in law, is a pacifist. My Son is not. Considering the Old Testament and the New Testament. What should the Christian of today do in regard to a "home evasion".

I'll bet that makes for some interesting conversations with your son and son-in-law.

If someone were to slap me I think I'd turn the other cheek. If someone were to invade my home I'd defend my family. Nobody invades a home just to slap someone, they're up to no good. I think turning the other cheek has to do with being slow to anger or demonstrating grace. I think allowing a stranger to commit a sin (steal/rape/murder) against me or my family would actually be a sin of omission (failing to act).

 

[Butch5]

I'll bet that makes for some interesting conversations with your son and son-in-law.

If someone were to slap me I think I'd turn the other cheek. If someone were to invade my home I'd defend my family. Nobody invades a home just to slap someone, they're up to no good. I think turning the other cheek has to do with being slow to anger or demonstrating grace. I think allowing a stranger to commit a sin (steal/rape/murder) against me or my family would actually be a sin of omission (failing to act).

Have you considered that it may be a sin by acting contrary to Christ's commands?

 

[Butch5]

I've had this discussion with a lot of people, those who allow the use of violence turn to the OT as there is nothing for them to use in the NT. Those who disallow violence turn to Jesus' teachings. I think it boils down to a matter of trust. Who is most capable of protecting one's family, the man or God. I've heard people say, If anyone breaks into my house they're gonna have to answer to me. One problem with that thinking is that they assume they'll get the upper hand. I look at it like this, many Christians say I'm trusting totally in God for my salvation. If you can trust totally in God for your salvation (Something you can't do) they why not trust Him with your physical life (the protecting of which is within you ability)? I wonder if one is really trusting God when the say they give Him control of something they cannot control and yet won't give Him control of something they can control. Is that really trust?

I've written a paper on this that looks at what the Scriptures say and gives quite a few quotes from the early Christians, "Should Christians Use Violence". It's also on the website in my signature.

 

[iLOVE]

Psalm 91
New King James Version (NKJV)

Safety of Abiding in the Presence of God
91 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler[a]
And from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge,
Even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you,
Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling;

11 For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.

12 In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra,
The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him;
I will set him on high, because he has known My name.

15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him and honor him.

16 With long life I will satisfy him,
And show him My salvation.”


Remember the battle is not yours, it's the Lords! Continue to fight the good fight of faith only!

 

[Jamsie]

We should be thankful that pacifism wasn't a majority view in WWII. I see no scripture relevant to one not defending oneself when someone intends bodily harm or worse. I wonder how many police and/or soldiers would need to leave their service if this was a dogmatic view.

 

[jasonc]

We should be thankful that pacifism wasn't a majority view in WWII. I see no scripture relevant to one not defending oneself when someone intends bodily harm or worse. I wonder how many police and/or soldiers would need to leave their service if this was a dogmatic view.

all and that would have included the centurion. why would we tell them get saved and that is mentioned and they aren't told to stop being soldiers? surely as rome was corrupt at times the word would have mentioned it.yet it didn't. the cant be made with listed sins whom paul said those that do those things.. wouldn't be in heaven. I prefer not to fight but sometimes we must.

 

[agua.]

My Son in law, is a pacifist. My Son is not. Considering the Old Testament and the New Testament. What should the Christian of today do in regard to a "home evasion".

Gday Chop I know what I'd likely do in the case of a home invasion but I'm not sure I'd be correct.

Rom 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. (19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. (20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

I take some comfort that it may not be up to me.

 

[reba]

The guys kicked in our door were not looking for for food or water......no one in our case was hurt...3 guys and 1 shotgun we know of....

When ya tell a guy i will not open the door ' i do not know you' he replies 'yea but you will'.... he aint looking for food..... it is not vengeance to protect your families life and well being. any more then it is vengeance to protect them from other elements.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
the verse does not say if wants your wife give him your child also

 

[agua.]

I hear ya Rebs and agree !

 

[reba]

if not then vengeance is mine..

.
agua

 

[agua.]

Oi !

 

[Gary]

My Son in law, is a pacifist. My Son is not. Considering the Old Testament and the New Testament. What should the Christian of today do in regard to a "home evasion".

Luke 4
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.


Jesus defending Himself?

 

[Paul1965]

The guys kicked in our door were not looking for for food or water......no one in our case was hurt...3 guys and 1 shotgun we know of....

When ya tell a guy i will not open the door ' i do not know you' he replies 'yea but you will'.... he aint looking for food..... it is not vengeance to protect your families life and well being. any more then it is vengeance to protect them from other elements.

Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
the verse does not say if wants your wife give him your child also

AMEN Reba!
Enter my house armed and with evil intent towards my wife, child or even me and I will show you the way to our Lord or at least the hospital.

 

[agua.]

Luke 4
28 So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,
29 and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.
30 Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.


Jesus defending Himself?

Yes this is the usual way Jesus was delivered from deadly threats.

Joh 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

I think there are many times Believers are delivered from deadly situations, without using violence, and often it goes unnoticed.

 

[Mike S]

My Son in law, is a pacifist. My Son is not. Considering the Old Testament and the New Testament. What should the Christian of today do in regard to a "home evasion".

My wife and daughter are Quakers and pacifists. My in-laws were also pacifists, even during World War II when being such wasn't easy. I admire all of them more than I express. I'm not a pacifist, though I'm not a man of violence either.

Having said this, I think the New Testament, taken as a unified message, makes pacifism an easier position for Christians to adopt and defend than any variation of just war theory. We all have to do what we feel is right, and God's will, in this world, and if my family is threatened, I will defend them with every means I have available. I think we're called to shun violence, but also to stand between evil and the innocent.

 

[Chopper]

I'll bet that makes for some interesting conversations with your son and son-in-law.

If someone were to slap me I think I'd turn the other cheek. If someone were to invade my home I'd defend my family. Nobody invades a home just to slap someone, they're up to no good. I think turning the other cheek has to do with being slow to anger or demonstrating grace. I think allowing a stranger to commit a sin (steal/rape/murder) against me or my family would actually be a sin of omission (failing to act).

You are right in that our conversations do get interesting....Here is a little known fact about Matthew 5:39, "Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also". It was a fact that in the O.T. being left handed was very rare. If you noticed the Word says God extended His right hand. Thus Ehud, the left handed Judge was able to slay his enemy because the right hand was always used.

Now, the Scripture says "smite thee on the right cheek" since everyone was right handed, the slap would have been a backhand of insult, not a damaging blow. Therefore, because it was an insult, turn the other cheek.

 

[Chopper]

AMEN Reba!
Enter my house armed and with evil intent towards my wife, child or even me and I will show you the way to our Lord or at least the hospital.

 

[Chopper]

My wife and daughter are Quakers and pacifists. My in-laws were also pacifists, even during World War II when being such wasn't easy. I admire all of them more than I express. I'm not a pacifist, though I'm not a man of violence either.

Having said this, I think the New Testament, taken as a unified message, makes pacifism an easier position for Christians to adopt and defend than any variation of just war theory. We all have to do what we feel is right, and God's will, in this world, and if my family is threatened, I will defend them with every means I have available. I think we're called to shun violence, but also to stand between evil and the innocent.

I like your post Mike, In the event that we pass thru the tribulation period, some of the persecution will be against our position of Salvation in Jesus. We might be asked to recant. In that case, I will be a pacifist. Otherwise, I will protect those around me.

 

[jasonc]

since the bible doesn't cleary say that slavery is a sin, and it doesn't but we all would agree that God didn't intend man to own another , he regulated that evil in the torah. likewise, with war, it a sad thing and I do believe that god obviously didn't intend for man to kill another, however in the torah there are rules, in the nt or brit chadosh for you jewish believers, it more of what rome was doing to insult jews and that law for all that must carry the soldiers load then a pacifist command. to take that as such then jesus tempted peter to sin. he clearly wouldn't have done that.