Pacifism and Christianity - All Christians must be pacifists as Jesus told us to turn the other cheek.?

Question

All Christians must be pacifists as Jesus's words and deeds were acts of non-violence. How can people like George Bush claim to be Christian when they believe in revenge?

"But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also" (Matthew 5:39).

"And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out [his] hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:50-52).

"Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." (Romans 12:19, NIV)

Need I say more?

Answer 1

What about the Bible passages that speak of a government's duty to enforce justice? You seemed to skip those.

Romans 13:3-4
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer

Answer 2

I have just completed a book "The Bible that dethrones Christ - and the Bible that doesn't". The argument is based on the premise that Jesus is Lord over everything.
The idea that God commands His creation to kill each other is what filled the heads of primitive Old Testament men who didn't know God at all until He came and revealed Himself to them. Even then, they rejected Him.
God does not command anyone to break His commandments. This is a lie from the pit. A truth that Moses and Elijah were probably discussing when Christ presented them to the disciples.
A lie that the Romans compiled when they created the 'canon' called 'The Word of God'.
The Bible is an insult to Christ and you can be absolutely certain that when Christ comes, the first thing He'll do is, sling this abomination onto the dung heap.

Answer 3

As a Christian, I have many times puzzled about this. I have determined that pressure is significant to guard the innocuous and that the authorities might want to do the straightforward issues had to maintain the peace. in my opinion, I forgive and attempt to provide the cloak and all that. yet you may want to guard others from damage. The Bible says that it's not good to let the depraved to prosper. It says to resist evil. i'd say, revenge is not in any respect an option for a Christian, neither is performing badly out of anger. Self-protection is cool, fantastically once you've a relations. The lack of existence penalty gained't be cool (inspite of the actuality that the authorities can deem it needed as a state employer for status quo retention) and as for the warfare? Who knows? i do not have each and each and every of the information. Pacifism is tremendous, yet so is each and every thing sparsely. information is glorified in Christianity and so is discernment. both are required even as thinking violence. The Bible stresses non secular resistance over actual resistance. a rustic might want to bypass to warfare for secure practices applications purely, that way a Christian can back it in good moral sense.

Answer 4

Chrisitans are supposed to show love, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, etc. to their fellow men. According to the Bible God's Wrath should only be executed by men when clearly told by God to do so, such as Israelites conquering Promised Land. Any other form of military action is simply done according to the morals and standards of men, even Israel was conquered many times and God was their nation's head.

America's reasoning behind miltiary actions is to preserve and protect the peace of people everywhere and to bring freedom and liberty to all people. This was begun primarily through the Monroe Doctrine establishing the US as the policing power of the American Continents from the rest of the world.

You are right though, if all Chrisitnas truly adhered to the Word we should let the other nations trample over us unless God says otherwise.

Answer 5

I've answered this once before, but I'll do so again here. Firstly, God doesn't expect us to be pacifists. The 'turn the other cheek' scripture is speaking (in context) of an ancient eastern custom whereby if a man tapped you on the cheek with his flat hand it was an insult to you. It was not considered an act of assualt, but a grave insult. One of the worst kinds. What Jesus was saying was that if someone insults you then don't react with anger and violence, ignore it. However, anyone who reads the old testament will tell you that God is not against his people going to war to defend themselves, their loved ones, or any thing like that. Most Christians today are so wrapped up in pacifism that they forget that we have the right to defend ourselves, our homes and our loved ones. With violence if need be.
But we are not to act out of emotional anger like revenge. We are to act out of love. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do in a situation is to knock someone out. Strange but true. I've been there. However, you don't have to give in to the anger.
I have had to stand for God and defend others physically when needful. I have put my physical life on the line for others. However, I never seek revenge. I never bear a grudge or hold onto evil thoughts. I act out of love. If love dictates that I must defend myself or use physical force in a situation then so be it.
We are no good to God dead. We are no good to God if we just give in to everything.
But remember, even when physical force is needed, we wrestle not against flesh and blood. So only use minimal force. Enough for the situation and no more. Cast out devil spirits with the power of god and heal your enemies if you can. After all, they may be your brothers tomorrow.

Answer 6

If a person belives that war is going to help more people in the long run then I can see how a Christian may agree with it.
I don't agree with the war in Iraq however a) because it seems to be based on revenge and oil and b) because they have gone about it the wrong way and caused as many problems as they solved.

Answer 7

"When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 To those who sold doves he said, "Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!"" John 2:13-16

The Society of Friends (Quakers) and many Mennonites would agree with you... and to a degree I would too.

But there does come that time when the tables have to turned over and the animals, money changers and those who sell animal sacrifices driven out of the temple.

As for George Bush and Jesus... no comment.

Answer 8

There is a difference between ignoring public insult and sitting by and letting your nation be taken over. There is also a difference between people who live by the sword and people who will take up arms to defend their families. You make the mistake of saying God is a pacifest, when in fact he knows that there is a time for peace and a time for war.

Answer 9

You have to understand 2000 years ago no-one ever used their left hand for anything except wiping themselves. So to strike some-ones right cheek you would have had to disobey that or back hand them. This would be equivalen to treating a person like an inanimate object. so to turn the other cheek would force the other person to hit you right handed with a fist or their palm, thus treating you like a person and shaming them into realizing their action.

Answer 10

This is almost like saying, "Jesus ate the right food, exercised everyday, never talked back to his parents, and treated everyone with respect, therefore, all Christians are like that. I think everyone should be a pacifist, but I find it hard being one. Maybe being human is the problem.