Is war/violence ever allowed in Christianity?

Question

Is there any New Testament support for defending yourself or Christianity? Was Jesus strictly a pacifist?

Answer 1

Jesus turned over the money changers tables and drove them out with a hand-made whip. So, as being a pacifist as we know pacifism, no, Jesus was not a pacifist. There is no place He condemned the idea of war. The only place He condemned an act of violence was when Peter tried to defend Him in the garden and attack one of the soldiers with his sword. Jesus essentially told Peter that if he lives as a violent man, he shall die as one (He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword). Peter had no reason and nothing to gain by going on the attack - he was just being his usual impulsive self.

As I see it, I will defend myself if physically attacked and I will defend my family or friends. Yet, I would not become physically defensive or offensive in order to support or advance an ideal or my belief.

People cite that there would be "peace on earth", but this is not talking about civil peace, but peace granted to those who follow and rest in God. The whole verse says, "Peace on earth and good will toward men on whom His favor rests." Then, Jesus is also quoted as saying, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives..." So, in a nutshell, Jesus promised peace in a world of chaos and war.

War is not the best answer, for sure. But, it is sadly necessary. We have many violent peoples in this world with whom negotiation is useless. We can't "just get along". So, it is acceptable to take down a violent opposition.

Answer 2

Depends on what type of Christian :some like Mennonites and Quakers are complete pacifists and others accept defensive "Just Wars". I don't know of any modern Christian groups that accept Jihad-type wars like the Spanish invasion of the New World in the 16th century or like the Livonian /Lithuanian Crusades of the Middle Ages.

Some say Jesus was a pacifist and others that He told His disciples to go by swords.

"Blessed are the Peacemakers":does that eliminate or demand self defense?

Answer 3

The position that Jesus took appears to be irrelevant to organized christianity. From the day the emperor Constantine first formed the catholic church the religion has been awash with blood. And before the protestants get all puffed up with self-righteousness, those churches were born blood soaked out of the catholic church. Organized christianity is the bloodiest religion in history.

Answer 4

The bible is written by the rulers of the time and then rewritten edited etc which is why there is so much contradiction in the bible, It is a way of getting uneducated or brain washing people, at a very young age by terrorising them with stories of burning in hell and God wrath etc. to do what they want. It is passed on to generation after generation.

It is just the powers of the past and present getting you to behave in a way that suits their ends. I not saying that a creator God does or does not exist.

There is still a lot we don't understand about such things, what I am saying is the bible to any free thinking individual is obviously mind controling proper-gander.

Answer 5

Jesus was truly a pacifist. He said he who lives by the sword dies by the sword. Also turn the other cheek, love your neighbor. Nothing he did could lead anyone to believe he condones war at anytime.

Answer 6

Yes, Christ physically kicked out the peddlers in from the temple. Turn the other check is only applicable to show that you do not have to strike back and forgive, it does not mean that you can't. If the violence has a purpose behind beyond simple revenge or retribution then it is perfectly allowed.

Answer 7

The problem with the Bible is that it is jammed packed with contradictions. The first half God or one of his prophets is saying "off with their heads!" and the second half Jesus or one of his disciples is saying "love ya babe, can't we all just get along?"

Jesus also chased people with a whip, as I recall.

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Numbers 31:1-54
Under God's direction, Moses' army defeats the Midianites. They kill all the adult males, but take the women and children captive. When Moses learns that they left some live, he angrily says: "Have you saved all the women alive? Kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him. But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves." So they went back and did as Moses (and presumably God) instructed, killing everyone except for the virgins. In this way they got 32,000 virgins -- Wow!

Answer 8

i'm doubtful what the Orthodox church properties declare in this factor yet Divorce is forbidden decrease than soreness of excommunication with the help of the catholic Church. it is by way of using fact, the words of the Gospel with the help of Jesus are taken relatively. in spite of the fact that, a fashion reported as, an' Annulment ' is a technique interior the Catholic Dioceses, led with the help of a marriage Tribunal which examines concerns ultimate to the marriage, if it is been well-known in a Catholic church. a possible consequence is that the marriage consistent with information given with the help of the spouses apprehensive, the marriage ought to be declared Null & Void; ie. that the marriage has impediments severe sufficient to be waiting to declare that even in spite of the indisputable fact that the rite surpassed off there have been severe faults appropriate to the factor of Vows and Commitments. as an party loss of suitable intentions or that the marriage is bigamous or that the Vows have been dis-relatively made.

Answer 9

What do YOU do when someone breaks into YOUR house.
Use your brain.