So here’s my chance to hear from you again. Sometimes we get good conversations going and other times I get emails. Either way, these “Chime Ins” are ways to think about pressing questions that Christians since the beginning up until today have wrestled with.
Why this question? Because a buddy and I got into a pretty heated debate about this question. I hope to write an article on this issue shortly after I have this question up for a couple of days. So stay tuned and be bold with your beliefs and opinions. So what do you think? Should Christians ever be violent?
Jeremiah's Trumpet 
October 4, 2011 at 1:08 pm
I believe Jesus was very specific: Love your enemies and turn the other cheek…
October 4, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Nelson,
I wonder if he meant us to act on those words all the time and in every situation. As some have challenged me, I challenge you: If someone broke into your house and attacked your children, would you turn the other cheek? Do we have the right to protect the innocent?
October 4, 2011 at 2:47 pm
I’m not a Christian remember. You break in my house, you have 5 seconds or its on.
October 4, 2011 at 4:24 pm
Ha ha ha! Fair enough…enough said. If I remember correctly, you do believe in a deity however. Do you believe this deity has revealed in any way his/her take on violence?
October 4, 2011 at 4:44 pm
I have shifted my views a little and now draw heavily from the Torah in regards to ethics and morality.
The Torah teaches the supreme value of life, yet we are not required to be pacifists. Wiping out evil is also part of justice. As Rashi explains (Deut. 20:12), dangerous disputes must be resolved. Because if you choose to leave evil alone – it will eventually attack you.
October 4, 2011 at 6:47 pm
So in this shift, have you taken on the belief in Yahweh, the God of Torah?
October 5, 2011 at 9:28 am
There is only One God. I think the Torah and the study of it get you closer to understanding the nature of God then anything else.
October 5, 2011 at 10:29 am
I pray then that this road will lead you to Christ who is the fulfillment of the Law and the exact representation of God on earth. Christ fleshes out and embodies justice and servitude. He alone is the door to Yahweh.
October 5, 2011 at 10:49 am
I appreciate the sentiment. I grew up a Christian and while I do admire the traits and teachings of Jesus, I do don’t believe he is Divine or in the dogmas of the church.
October 5, 2011 at 10:56 am
Not to belabor the topic any further, I encourage you to read the work of Athanasius “On The Incarnation of the Word.” It is quite insightful.
God Bless You!
Jeremy
October 18, 2011 at 9:16 pm
Christians are not supposed to be OFFENSIVE.
The New Testament says this:
Luke 22:36
Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Obviously it is for SELF DEFENSE.
October 19, 2011 at 9:21 am
Thank you for your thoughts Mad Jewess. I agree, if Christians have any part in violence it is to be strictly along the lines of defense. I think the problem in our contemporary situation is that many Christians justify a zeal for warfare by calling every action “defensive.” I have heard the most exaggerated explanations for “defensive violence” which were really offensive in nature.
I think we have to be careful however with this passage in Luke 22:36. There is a lot of evidence in this passage for figurative speech given the context of the rest of Luke and the Gospels where Jesus rejects violence almost all-together (6:27-36). Even later in this chapter, Jesus rebukes the swordplay in the garden and even heals the ear of the man struck by his disciples. That is they were acting in self defense but Jesus reverses their actions.
When Jesus says buy swords he is probably referring to the fact that there were troubling times of violence ahead when they would not be recieved as well as they would have earlier in the Gospel (9:2-3; 10:3-4). When the disciples, still thinking with shallow human minds say, “here’s two swords,” Jesus rather frustrated rebukes them and says “Enough of that!” Most scholars agree that he is not saying, “Oh okay two swords are enough.” Especially seeing that in v. 51 he rebukes the use of swords.
October 19, 2011 at 5:46 pm
‘When Jesus says buy swords he is probably referring to the fact that there were troubling times of violence ahead ‘
God Willing that we do not have to EVER use violence.
I get really angry with my VERY Jewish husband-he believes that violence is necessary, now 😦
When I was young, I got picked on incessively.
I had a choice, either start fighting back, or run to the principal.
I chose to fight the bully back. I won, and people are not allowed to pick on me. Because I fought BACK.
There are times when God allows me to chase a wicked spirit away, by praying. I have seen supernatural things in my life. Sometimes, God expects us to step up. We have to DISCERN this. And use with caution.
We ARE in violent times. But, like that song from the 80’s:
“In Violent Times, You Shouldn’t Have To Sell Your Soul.” -Tears For Fears
I dont like the group, but let us NOT ‘sell our soul’ to apostasy.
Nice blog you have here 😀
October 19, 2011 at 6:07 pm
1. I love Tears For Fears!!!
2. I do believe there are situations where we must defend ourselves. I think the goal is: how do we end the circle of violence? At all times we should try to turn the other cheek. Yet there are times when we are forced, with regret, to make a stand to end the circle of violence that way. I too was picked on alot because I was the new kid on the block several times. There were instances where I made a stand and said enough is enough and said the next time I’m gonna whip you. Surprisingly, some of the bullies became my friends.
3. Thank you for the compliment and comments!