Should every Christian be a Pacifist?

[Deborah13]

a gang member wouldn't do that. they would be attacked and kill by their own. unless its family. I call the cops. why? because likely its not his first time. if it is then I will use that to scare him straight.i shoplifted and I was shown mercy. I didn't stop me from doing that again. I learned to work my game better.

It is a question about this scripture. What do you think it means?

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 

[jasonc]

It is a question about this scripture. What do you think it means?

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

I don't enable. a gangster who is asking money from me will have to be asked what is it for? drugs. sex, beer. rent. food? if he evades then he gets squat.its a lesson learned from helping homeless. they do the same. they want money for their habits. so its what do you need?food,rent paid and also meds?

 

[Deborah13]

Does anyone want to interpret this scripture?

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

 

[Gary]

Does anyone want to interpret this scripture?

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

I see the interpretation in the passage below.

Luke 6
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.


Verse 30 is referencing giving without any expectation of getting back what you gave.

In my opinion.

 

[Jamsie]

Perhaps a more focused starting point in an effort to engage an understanding of “pacifism” is to define “separate”... as in separate from the world. How we define this disconnect from the world will better enable us to put meaning as to the role of a Christian in a fallen world.

In defining terms would we agree that “World” is best confined to humanity? The contrasts in 2 Cor. 6:14-17 are of human characteristics/behavior – righteousness vs. wickedness, light vs. darkness, believer vs. unbeliever, etc. So though we are in the world (relative to sinful pursuits and perspective) we are not of the world, our allegiance is to God through Christ Jesus in terms of our conduct and commitment to “holiness”. Those who claim Christ are set apart, not physically but spiritually.

Does this suggest that we disengage completely from the world? 1 Cor. 5:9-10 would suggest otherwise and support that what is being referred to in “separate” is behavioral not physical as noted above.

Mark 2:15-17 clearly illustrates our role in the world. Further, the “great commission” (Matt. 28:19-20) has Christ commanding the role of the Christian in the world. Obviously then we are separate in our worldview/conduct/behavior but we are to engage people which requires our physical presence. Christianity is centrifugal not centripetal. (GKC)

Christ not only included the outcasts, sinners, and the unwanted of society but He loved them. I would suggest that there does exist both conceptually and in reality as demonstrated by Christ, human dignity. If all those without God can be considered enemies, and we are commanded to love them, then again there exists in the eyes of Christ human dignity.

 

[Deborah13]

I see the interpretation in the passage below.

Luke 6
32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back.
35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.


Verse 30 is referencing giving without any expectation of getting back what you gave.

In my opinion.

Thank you Gary. You may be correct about that. I will ponder that.

 

[Deborah13]

Perhaps a more focused starting point in an effort to engage an understanding of “pacifism” is to define “separate”... as in separate from the world. How we define this disconnect from the world will better enable us to put meaning as to the role of a Christian in a fallen world.

In defining terms would we agree that “World” is best confined to humanity? The contrasts in 2 Cor. 6:14-17 are of human characteristics/behavior – righteousness vs. wickedness, light vs. darkness, believer vs. unbeliever, etc. So though we are in the world (relative to sinful pursuits and perspective) we are not of the world, our allegiance is to God through Christ Jesus in terms of our conduct and commitment to “holiness”. Those who claim Christ are set apart, not physically but spiritually.

Does this suggest that we disengage completely from the world? 1 Cor. 5:9-10 would suggest otherwise and support that what is being referred to in “separate” is behavioral not physical as noted above.

Mark 2:15-17 clearly illustrates our role in the world. Further, the “great commission” (Matt. 28:19-20) has Christ commanding the role of the Christian in the world. Obviously then we are separate in our worldview/conduct/behavior but we are to engage people which requires our physical presence. Christianity is centrifugal not centripetal. (GKC)

Christ not only included the outcasts, sinners, and the unwanted of society but He loved them. I would suggest that there does exist both conceptually and in reality as demonstrated by Christ, human dignity. If all those without God can be considered enemies, and we are commanded to love them, then again there exists in the eyes of Christ human dignity.

All very good points and scriptural.
Your reference to Mark 2:15, is especially pointed, I think. Jesus invited these sinners into His house.

 

[for_his_glory]

Does anyone want to interpret this scripture?

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

When a man ask of you it usually means they have not and are in need. If he steals from you then never offer help again, but let him unto his own devises as God will deal with him
As you would like others to treat you right then also treat others in the same manner.

 

[Deborah13]

When a man ask of you it usually means they have not and are in need. If he steals from you then never offer help again, but let him unto his own devises as God will deal with him
As you would like others to treat you right then also treat others in the same manner.

ok, thanks!

 

[Deborah13]

This is how the ESV translated these scriptures, which I agree with from how I read the KJV.

7 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

So if we are to be pacifist because of Luke 29, then we also need to follow verse 30, just as closely.

Give to whom begs from you, no matter who they are or what you think they will do with that money.
If someone steals even your car, do not call the police to get it back.

 

[jasonc]

I act as I said. if I call the cops to stop a crime commited against me as I will sign an affidavit to that effect, then once I know if he or she is repeat offender then I decide what is the choice of action. if they have done it a hundred times then im not going to enable them. judge. sentence them to the max time. and then I will pray for them. often with grand theft they may not do much time.

 

[Deborah13]

I act as I said. if I call the cops to stop a crime commited against me as I will sign an affidavit to that effect, then once I know if he or she is repeat offender then I decide what is the choice of action. if they have done it a hundred times then im not going to enable them. judge. sentence them to the max time. and then I will pray for them. often with grand theft they may not do much time.

:yes

We are not always doing someone a favor or justice by letting them get away with something.
Just like when the policeman didn't tell me when my son took his dirt bike across the hiway and on public roads. My son told me he had been stopped, he was afraid not to. But I scolded the cop, he wasn't doing my 13 yr old any favors by not telling his parents.

 

[gr8grace3]

Does anyone want to interpret this scripture?

Luk 6:30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
Luk 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

This is not about someone who steals from you. This is about the person who is begging and takes what you give to them.

If we are to allow someone to steal from us then verse 31 says that we are to also steal from them!......Do to them like wise.

These verses are about Giving with no expectations. It is not about acting like a sissy and letting some punk steal your earned possessions.

 

[gr8grace3]

And I know you are not a sissy Deb!2