Christians & Violence
Violence must be bad. Right?
Our society today teaches that physical violence is wrong and barbaric. They believe that it solves nothing and causes more harm than good.
From an early age they drill this mentality into the minds of our children.
No more games of "war" on our playgrounds, where our boys would imitate their fathers and grandfathers, expressing courage and patriotism.
No more "finger guns" or making toy weapons out of paper / Poptarts, for fear of being expelled from school.
No roughhousing of any kind, rolling in the dirt, or even arm-wrestling.
They don't even let our children defend themselves against bullies, to build their self-confidence and learn self-reliance but instead, must get a teacher or an adult involved to "fight" their battles.
This sentiment isn't just at our schools, it is everywhere. The liberal left in this country, continue to push for more anti-gun legislation. They absolutely hate the 2nd Amendment. Many are trying to abolish it. They mistakenly feel as if guns are the problem and gun laws are the key to school safety.
The liberal politicians can't hardly control their excitement over the thought of an unarmed citizenry.
Liberals somehow fail to understand that criminals, by the very definition of the word, ignore laws.
Unfortunately, this mentality has even made its way into the Christian church & parochial school system, where many pastors, teachers, and congregations have taken on the modern secular philosophy that all violence is wrong. Some pastors have even forbidden their congregations from carrying weapons into their churches...
despite the rise of mass shootings at malls, concerts, schools, and churches.
It should not be difficult to understand, that when we ban violence, we also ban the hero from among us.
Many churches teach a type of Hippy Jesus, with long flowing hair, clean-soft-robes, quiet voice, only speaking kind words, bringing people together, never offending anyone, type of Jesus.
This is, however, not the truth. This is not who Jesus was or is.
In reality, Jesus is God of Heaven and Earth. He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He came to bring divisions. To separate the light from the darkness. He came to cause offenses to those who hate Him and His word. He tells us that He did not come to bring peace but a sword, albeit a spiritual one.
Is physical violence always wrong
for a Christian?
The Constitution of the United States and Declaration of Independance teach that we have certain inalienable rights. These rights were not given to us by our government or founding fathers, but rather, these rights were granted to us by our creator. As such, these are not just rights for the people of the United States, but for all people, for all time. Our founders were just wise enough to put it in writing.
One such right, is the right to defend ourselves (and others) from all who mean to do us harm, using as much force as needed, to stop the threat. We, therefore, have the right to train ourselves and arm ourselves for such a possibility.
All creatures, both humans and animals will defend themselves to the best of their abilities. Everything from the lowly ant to the mighty elephant will defend itself and its offspring. Violence (since the fall) is part of the natural order. It is instinct.
To teach that violence is wrong is to go against natural law.
Pastors and teachers who forbid violence, are adding to scripture (something we are forbidden to do). They are creating a new law for those within the Church and a stumbling block for many who are outside the church, because people instinctively know, especially fathers, that violence is not always wrong and wouldn't want to be part of a group (or church) that teaches otherwise.
In fact, a man's responsibility to protect his family is at the very heart of masculinity. Men are commanded by God to lead, provide, and protect. This is what God calls men to do. The truth of this is seen all throughout Scripture. It is part of their headship. It does a disservice to men (and families) to overemphasize peace while condemning all violence.
Listen to what Jesus says in:
Luke 11:21
“When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own house, his goods are safe.”
It is only natural that a man would defend his life, family, and property.
This was not a new concept to the Jews, for the Torah explains in
Exodus 22:2,3
“If the thief is found breaking in, and he is struck so that he dies, there shall be no guilt for his bloodshed. If the sun has risen on him, there shall be guilt for his bloodshed...”
(In daylight, a man should be able to determine the intent of the thief, whether he is just a thief or something worse, like a murderer.)
But the 5th Commandment
tells us that killing is wrong. Right?
Actually, no it doesn't. The 5th Commandment tells us not to murder, as do a number of passages. Admittedly, murder is wrong, it is always wrong, but murder is very different from killing. Murder is the intentional, unlawful killing of another person. Usually with hate in the heart.
If killing were sinful, then God would have been sinning whenever He commanded the Israelites to go into battle, but we know that God is Holy and sinless, therefore violence, even killing other human beings, is not always wrong. When done in self-defense or as an act of justice, it is perfectly permissible.
Psalm 144:1 “Blessed be the Lord my Rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle…”
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that for
“everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven… a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”
In fact, God told Noah in:
Genesis 9:6
“Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed...".
This is a command instituting capital punishment. The purpose of this command is to keep people from murdering one another. It is a deterrent to would-be-murderers.
And Paul tells us in:
Romans 13:4
"For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer."
Clearly, even capital punishment is not murder, but justice.
What does Jesus say?
Jesus proclaimed in Matthew 5:9-12
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
He also tells us in Matthew 5:39
"But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also."
In these passages, Jesus is not speaking against war, or the concept of self-defense, but He is condemning the idea of personal vengeance and hatred.
Paul says something similar in Romans 12:17-21
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Notice that Paul said
“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”
God knows that we live in a sinful world, with sinful people, and that there will be times when we need to defend ourselves, our homes, our families, and our communities.
Did Jesus really command His disciples
to buy swords?
Jesus speaks in Luke 22:36
"Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one."
Contrary to the hopes of gun enthusiasts everywhere, this is not a command for Christians to buy swords or firearms, but rather it was spoken to fulfill ancient prophesy.
That being said, it does show us that Jesus was walking around with disciples who were carrying swords, and at no point did Jesus ever tell them to get rid of their swords, other than a warning, that those who live by the sword will die by the sword. A statement that is understood and accepted by all soldiers, everywhere. Jesus was simply stating a reality.
Even when Jesus tells Peter to put his sword away (after Peter sliced off the servant's ear), He is not setting a precedent that violence is always wrong.
He is simply stating the fact, that it is time for these ancient messianic prophesies to be fulfilled. Jesus knew that His moment had arrived. He was ready to go to the cross and no one should attempt to intervene.
What about the early church
and church history?
In the New Testament, there are indeed examples of Roman soldiers converting to Christianity. Not one of these examples, are we told, that the soldiers were commanded to stop being soldiers now that they had become Christians. Neither are we told that they voluntarily changed their profession after their conversion.
This argument is strong evidence for the permitted use of violence, since Jesus and the disciples had no problem telling those who were living in sin to “Go and sin no more.”
But they never said that to these soldiers. Instead, these soldiers were told in Luke 3:14, be happy with your pay, indicating that they continued being soldiers after they were converted.
It is for all these reasons above, that Christian nations had no hesitation using Christian men to fight their wars. It is for these reasons that Christian men had no hesitation fighting in these wars. Wherever these soldiers were sent, whether across oceans or deserts, these brave men would fight to defend their families, churches, and homeland with a clear conscience, knowing that Christ was their Lord.
When exploring new lands and discovering wicked bloodthirsty men slaughtering and sacrificing the neighboring tribes, these Christian men knew that justice must be carried out.
But we will save our discussion on Just War Theory for another day.
Suffice it to say, war is not sinful, but it is not to be glorified either. Killing and violence were never intended to be part of God's creation. Death and bloodshed were not part of His "very good" proclamation. Unfortunately, we cannot escape from this world of pain until the final battle is over. We must continue to run this race and fight the good fight until we hear the blast of the final trumpet calling us home, where we will fight no more.