In sense, yes He did. We, as individuals are not to be people who attain our goals or spread our beliefs by force. However, I think it is a stretch to extend that idea into total pacifism. Can a Christian use force, even deadly force, to defend him/her self? Is a Christian still consistent in their beliefs if they support a particular war?
A few things need to be considered. What was Jesus' overall purpose, and what was the context of his teachings that bear some weight to the issue at hand?
Overall, Jesus' purpose was to not teach mere moral behavior or a particular philosophical system. It was the transformation of hearts, the forgiveness of sins, and foremost, the reconciliation of sinners to the God who they rebel against. The central problem being the rebellion of man against God. Christ came to expose the sin of pride in all mankind and to call us to abandon that pride and trust in God. This call was in general to all people, but the response to it is intensely individual. Christ's teachings are rarely a blanket statement to society, but a call to individuals to exhibit a certain righteousness in their own life. Every saying, deed, parable, and teaching of Christ must be viewed in that purpose or it will be wrongly understood.
Also, there are things which are shaded by our own cultural and societal idioms which would have meant something completely different, or at least more specific, to a 1st century Jew in Palestine. We have to try and not read our own feelings into the words of Jesus, but find out what message His words were conveying to those people at that time.
With that in mind, there are a handful of verses people go to when claiming that Jesus was anti-violence. We will take a look at each in turn.
Matthew 5:39 - "But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."
Turning the other cheek has become synonymous with not fighting back at all in any situation. But is that what Jesus meant? In a right-handed world, to be struck on the right cheek is a backhanded slap. This is not speaking of an instance of mistreatment or assault in general. This is a specific act of humiliation. This verse is also grouped in with teachings to "go the extra mile" (Roman soldiers could force you to carry their pack for up to a mile) and if someone sues you for your cloak to "give them your tunic also" (in a world without climate control, taking a man's cloak would leave him exposed to the elements). These are all instances that would be dehumanizing and humiliating to the individual. Times where our arrogance and pride would seek retribution, not justice but vengeance. The point here is not pacifism because violence is evil, but swallowing our pride. It's our pride that leads us to sin, rebel against God, and choose our own way.
Matthew 26:51-52, "And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
What is Jesus saying here? Is He saying to not ever use a sword in any instance? I think a good argument could be made in the negative. Rather that putting the emphasis on the sword, put the emphasis on the "live by". If this passage is saying anything about violence, it is simply saying that violence is not the means to accomplish the goal. Genuine repentence and love for God cannot be forced. Faith cannot be conjured at the point of a sword. While there is certainly truth in the idea that a life characterized by violence (live by the sword) will most likely lead to a bad end (die by the sword), I am not sure that can be extrended as a blanket statement to embrace total pacifism.
However, use of violence or lack of is not the point of this passage. Jesus is being arrested. A brash disciple pulls a sword and tries to defend Jesus. But Jesus had been telling them for years that this moment would eventually come. His arrest and crucifiction are all part of the plan. Jesus' rebuke to the disciple is not anti-violence but due to lack of understanding what is going on. In the very next verse Jesus continues, "Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? But how then should the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?" (Matthew 26:53-54)
John 18:36 - "Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world."
This is Jesus before Pilate being grilled about being the "King of the Jews". Pilate is thinking in terms of an actual rebellion against Rome. Any insight this might have on the non-violence issue I think is pretty clear that Jesus' words here make the point that the power of His Kingdom is not to be exercised or spread in this world by violent means. Again, faith cannot be conjured with a sword. Repentence and faith must be genuine.
So, is it ever ok for a Christian to use or support the use of violence?
We see Jesus on at least one occasion overturning tables in the temple and driving men out with a whip. (Matt 21, Mark 11, Luke 19, John 2) That seems a bit violent to me.
One thing that is consistent is Jesus' commands to love others. I do not think it is a stretch to include in that love any actions necessary to protect and defend innocents. An evil person intent on harm sometimes can only be stopped with violent means. I do not see an inconsistency in Christ's teachings for that taking place.
As for war, aside from if you take His words to Pilate in John 18 to mean Christianity is not spread by war (which is not a stretch at all), Jesus never really addresses the issue of war. Other places in Bible talk about roles and purposes of government. There is a whole other, detailed issue on whether or not there is "just war". But I do not see Jesus Himself specifically addressing that issue. He had a specific focus to His ministry and teachings before dying on the cross: preach the Gospel, prepare the Apostles, and expose the religious hypocrisy of His day which stood in the way.
Can a nation wage war to protect it's people? Perhaps each specific war is to be judged on an individual basis, but I think based on Christ's focus of individual-holiness, the general idea is not inconsistent with Christianity.
No comments:
Post a Comment