Was Christianity established by the sword?

Question

Some Christians pretend that Christianity was not established by the sword; but of what period of time do they speak? It was impossible that twelve men could begin with the sword: they had not the power; but no sooner were the professors of Christianity sufficiently powerful to employ the sword than they did so, and the stake and ****** too; and Mahomet could not do it sooner. By the same spirit that Peter cut off the ear of the high priest’s servant (if the story be true) he would cut off his head, and the head of his master, had he been able. Besides this, Christianity grounds itself originally upon the [Hebrew] Bible, and the Bible was established altogether by the sword, and that in the worst use of it—not to terrify, but to extirpate. The Jews made no converts: they butchered all. The Bible is the sire of the [New] Testament, and both are called the word of God.

The Christians read both books; the ministers preach from both books; and this thing called Christianity is made up of both. It is then false to say that Christianity was not established by the sword.


The only sect that has not persecuted are the Quakers; and the only reason that can be given for it is, that they are rather Deists than Chris­tians. They do not believe much about Jesus Christ, and they call the scriptures a dead letter. Had they called them by a worse name, they had been nearer the truth.[2]



It is incumbent on every man who reverences the character of the Creator, and who wishes to lessen the catalogue of artificial miseries, and remove the cause that has sown persecutions thick among mankind, to expel all ideas of a revealed religion as a dangerous heresy, and an impious fraud. What is it that we have learned from this pretended thing called revealed religion? Nothing that is useful to man.

Answer 1

As you point out, the bible actively encourages people to wage war against "non-believers."

The story of the Hebrews is nothing more than continual warfare against other tribes & each other.

Christians & Muslims both adopted those tactics, when possible, to "spread the word."

"Martyrs" were little different than "martyrs" of today. They commit acts of violence and consider their own resulting death to be "martyrdom" while ignoring the deaths of their targets.

The Roman Empire & subsequent "Christian nations" used all manner of violence & slaughter to "convert" people.

The Spanish conquest of the Americas provides an excellent example of how "Christianity" was spread throughout the Americas.

Answer 2

Christianity is not established by sword. The word christian is actually to mean the follower of Christ - like Christ. And you see Jesus Christ has given himself on the cross. He was like a lamb when he was slaughtered for the sin of the world. The twelve disciples or apostles did not carry swords spreading the gospel - in fact, Jesus told his disciple to put away the sword when they are in Getzemany. This is the beauty of Christianity, the religion is based on love.

However, Christianity has experienced the darkest period when European countries long time ago embraced it without the knowledge about what Jesus taught. The result was they actually just wear label of Christianity and it became religion though they did not really follow what Jesus taught. It culminated with the war invading Middle East.

Basically, it is Christian that is being persecuted but not the other way around - they do not spread the teaching with sword.

Answer 3

I have to say..I've never seen such an isulting statement about the Society of Friends (quakers). You accuse our brethren of being Diests...and of not revering the bible. Quakers more than any other groups have established the bible as thier foundtation.

All that aside, your comment about christian being damned for the actions of the jewish people is like arresting a son for the sins of the father. More than a little spiteful.

Mahomet is Islamic, not christian. WHile both are monothesitc, thier views of God are very different

Using peter as an example is a little odd..Jesus told him that he had done wrong trough violence a few scant sentances later....this would be rebuke against christians resorting to violence.

I see a lot of anger here about the use of christian faith in war, but there has only been one time period in history where Christianity was spread by the sowrd..and like many middle eastern govenments of today, Relgion and state was so intergrated that relgion got dragged into the war wether it wanted to or not. To take a couple centuries of a people's past and damn them for it rather than look at thier actions today is just this shade of racist.

Answer 4

Christianity was established the same way as all other Churches have been established--by two people getting together and agreeing to establish a church. Unfortunately, Christianity lost its way as soon as Rome, through its Caesar of the moment, adapted the
Christian faith as the official state religion. From that moment on, Christianity became the slave of government. The teachings of Jesus were contorted into uselessness by the church. They were molded by the church to fit the needs of the government. In return, the government made life easy for the church leaders. There actually is no church today worthy of the name "Christian".

But to answer your question specifically, the "Christian" church was not formed by the sword. It began soon after Jesus was stoned and hung, and remained fairly untarnished for at least two hundred years, until it became mainstream and was adopted as the official religion of Rome. Then the church, like other organized churches, adopted the sword.

Answer 5

That is a long question. Christ was called the Prince of peace for years, and when a person said I am a Christian people knew what they meant. To day a new definition has come on people that call them selves Christians. They only have to say I be leave in Christ. That is all. what about his teachings? Sermon on the mount? We don't here Christians talk about how Jesus said; "What you do the my brother you do to me." Who is your brother? Every one. Was Christianity Established by the sword? Yes it was. Just ask the people that live in Ireland, France, Germany, ext.
Read history.

Answer 6

Christianity wasn't "established" by the sword, although for a period of time it was indeed "spread" by the sword. That happened after the church "married" the Roman world and lost it's purity. From there it was a long down hill slide of non-Biblical compromises where the doctrines of men were given precedence over the teachings of God. From converting pagan holidays to Christian festivals to the Crusades to the Inquisition the church of Rome has proven to be a further fulfillment of the words of the prophet Isaiah that Jesus applied to the super religious hypocrites of his day.

7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying,

8 'These people draw near to me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9 And in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine rules made by men.'"

Answer 7

God created a perfect world, without violence and death. He also gave us a free will. Man chose to sin and bring the sword into this world. The violence that the Israelites were involved in in the OT largely was for the purpose of keeping God's message from being wiped off the face of the earth, until the savior could come.

Jesus died on the cross and did not defend himself, and told Peter to drop his sword because "those who live by the sword will die by the sword". All the apostles (other than Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus) were executed (other than John who died in prison), and none of them physically defended themselves .

Answer 8

Cheese,
This might not be the answer to your question, but here goes. There is a vast difference between what Jesus came to establish, and what men have done in His name. He came to preach the Kingdom of God, which He taught is within us. The political and financial empire known as Christianity, was created by men, intent on finding a way to control people's behavior, and establishing power, both financial and political as I said. We all know what has become of the man-made church, and I will not judge or comment on it. You who have eyes, use them. As far as the Kingdom of God is concerned, it is growing as God intended, one heart at a time. Every time a human chooses to do the will of God in every area of their life, they have entered His kingdom, no sword needed. The only enemy that must be conquered is the ego of man. Not so for the corporate church. She has much blood on her hands, and shows no signs of repentance. Having said that, there are sincere and loving people within the ranks of the "church", but they do not control it.

Answer 9

Hey look ! you are mis-informed. Christianity began not by sword but by Martyrdom ! Today this faith stands the test of time because of the rock-solid foundation layed by the Martyers.

Answer 10

I believe that you are ignorant on your understanding. I am not even going to try to correct you because you are so far out I would not know where to begin.