Christians: Did Jesus bring a message of Peace, War, or either as the situation demands?

Question

I know many Christians don't trust any situational ethics, so what's your opinion?

Answer 1

Where was Jesus during the Crusades when 12 million were killed because they wouldn't convert to Christianity? Religion is good at only giving you the part of the story that serves their agenda. Rise above that.

Answer 2

I'm not sure what "situational ethics" means, but I'm also sure that Christians would agree that whether we act peacefully or confrontationally certainly depends on the situation. If someone hits me in the face, I might choose to turn the other cheek. But if someone is attacking my son -- someone a lot bigger than he is -- it's not up to me to decide that my son must also turn the other cheek. It's my duty to protect him. Nor is it really up to my child to decide, since he's my responsibility until he attains his majority. So in the one case I can choose peace, but in the other I've got to do whatever it takes to protect my child.

Jesus said himself that he came "not to bring peace, but a sword", and to "turn father against son, sister against brother," etc. At the same time he says, "blessed are the peacemakers" and "turn the other cheek."

I think what he meant was that each of his followers has a duty to act in ways that avoid conflict, and to be willing to accept suffering ourselves if doing so will avoid inflicting it on others. But at the same time, simply being a follower of the Gospel at times demands conflict. This is because, as Jesus also said, "if the world hated me, you can be sure it will also hate you."

And why did it hate him? Because he refused to stand quietly in the face of hypocrisy -- while he had compassion on repentant sinners, he confronted wrongdoers who refused to repent and change their ways, including some of the reglious leaders of his time.

Answer 3

either