Fight

1. The Bible advocates nonviolence for Christians

"Nowhere in Scripture, Old or New Testament, is Joshua's conquest prescribed for future generations."

Old Testament context. While the Old Testament contains accounts of divinely sanctioned violence, these were specific to Israel's unique historical context. God was establishing Israel as a nation and judging wicked peoples. The law of Moses made incremental moral improvements on surrounding cultures, moving toward an ideal of peace. The prophets envisioned a coming era of peace where swords would be beaten into plowshares.

New Testament ethic. Jesus and the apostles taught a radically different ethic of nonviolence and enemy love for the church. Christians are called to overcome evil with good, not resort to violence. The New Testament provides no justification for Christians to use violence, even in self-defense or protection of others. While civil authorities may use force (Romans 13), the church is called to a higher standard of peacemaking.

2. Jesus taught and modeled radical nonviolence and enemy love

"When we are cursed, we bless. When we are hated, we love. When we are robbed, we give. And when we are struck, we don't strike back with violence."

Sermon on the Mount. Jesus taught his followers to turn the other cheek, love their enemies, and do good to those who hate them. He rejected the "eye for an eye" mentality and called his disciples to a higher way of nonviolence. This was not mere passivity, but active love toward aggressors.

Example of Christ. Jesus embodied this ethic throughout his life and especially in his death. When attacked, he did not retaliate. He rebuked his disciples for using violence in his defense. On the cross, he forgave his killers. The New Testament repeatedly points to Christ's nonviolent example as the pattern for Christians to follow.

• Turn the other cheek (Matthew 5:39)
• Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44)
• Do not resist an evil person (Matthew 5:39)
• Forgive those who persecute you (Luke 23:34)

3. The early church unanimously rejected violence and military service

"Whenever the issue of violence, killing, warfare, or joining the military was discussed, the voices of all extant early Christian writings were in agreement: Christians are never to kill."

Consistent teaching. For the first three centuries, Christian writers unanimously taught that believers should not kill or serve in the military. This view was held across diverse regions of the Roman Empire. Key figures like Tertullian, Origen, and Lactantius explicitly condemned Christian participation in violence and military service.

Reasons for rejection. Early Christians rejected military service for two main reasons:

• Idolatry - Roman military service required participation in pagan rituals
• Killing - Christians believed it was wrong to kill, even in warfare

Post-Constantine shift. After Christianity became the official Roman religion in the 4th century, many church leaders began to justify Christian participation in warfare. However, some continued to advocate nonviolence.

4. Nonviolence is not passive but actively confronts evil with good

"Nonviolence isn't as crazy as it's sometimes made out to be."

Active peacemaking. Christian nonviolence does not mean doing nothing in the face of evil. It calls for actively confronting injustice and oppression through nonviolent means. This can include verbal resistance, spiritual resistance through prayer, sacrificial resistance by absorbing violence, and physical resistance that restrains without killing.

Historical examples. Nonviolent movements have successfully confronted evil and brought social change:

• Indian independence movement led by Gandhi
• US civil rights movement led by Martin Luther King Jr.
• Fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe
• Anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa

Power of love. Responding to aggression with unexpected love can be transformative. There are many accounts of would-be attackers being disarmed by their victims' refusal to retaliate and show of kindness instead.

5. The kingdom of God advances through suffering, not violence

"The cross and resurrection are what constitute the power of the kingdom."

Upside-down kingdom. Jesus established his kingdom not through military might, but through suffering love on the cross. He calls his followers to take up their crosses and follow his example. The early church grew rapidly despite (and often because of) persecution, not by taking up arms.

Revelation's vision. The book of Revelation, often misunderstood as promoting violence, actually portrays believers conquering through martyrdom. The Lamb who was slain is victorious. His followers overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony, not by violence.

Meaning in suffering. For Christians, suffering for Christ is not meaningless defeat but participation in his victory over evil. It may lead to the salvation of persecutors or become part of God's judgment on unrepentant evildoers.

6. Christians should prioritize faithfulness to Jesus over effectiveness

"Faithfulness rather than effectiveness is our motivation."

Not results-oriented. The call to nonviolence is not based on its effectiveness, but on obedience to Christ. Sometimes nonviolence "works" to change situations, but other times Christians may face continued persecution or death. The goal is to be faithful witnesses to Christ's way of peace.

God's responsibility. Christians are called to love enemies and do good, trusting God to bring justice in his time. It is not the church's role to execute vengeance or judgment. God can use civil authorities as agents of wrath, but the church has a different calling.

Eternal perspective. From a worldly perspective, nonviolence may seem foolish or ineffective. But Christians are called to view things from an eternal perspective, recognizing that apparent defeat may be spiritual victory.

7. Nonviolence can be a powerful witness and tool for social change

"A person who chooses to love his or her enemies can have no enemies. That person is left only with neighbors."

Transformative power. Responding to hate with love and to violence with nonviolence can be a powerful testimony. It breaks cycles of retaliation and can open doors for reconciliation. Many aggressors have been converted by their victims' unexpected forgiveness and kindness.

Social movements. Nonviolent resistance has proven effective in bringing social and political change:

• Indian independence from British rule
• US civil rights movement
• Fall of communist regimes in Eastern Europe
• Anti-apartheid movement in South Africa

Christian witness. When Christians refuse to retaliate and instead show love to enemies, it provides a stark contrast to worldly ways. This can draw attention to Christ and his kingdom.

8. Christians can serve in non-combat roles to be agents of peace

"I believe the kingdom of God should unleash its citizens into all areas of life to be agents of peace, healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness."

Military service. While Christians should not serve in combat roles that require killing, they can serve in non-combat positions like medical care, chaplaincy, and other support roles. This allows them to be a positive influence and witness within military structures.

Law enforcement. Christians may serve as police officers, but should refrain from using lethal force. They can model de-escalation, community engagement, and pursuit of justice without violence. Some police forces around the world operate without carrying firearms.

Conflict zones. Christians can serve in war-torn areas through humanitarian aid, peacebuilding initiatives, and ministries of reconciliation. This allows them to be present in places of conflict as agents of Christ's peace.

9. Self-defense and protection of others creates ethical dilemmas

"I cannot find any biblical passage that sanctions a Christian serving as a combatant for a nation's military in a situation where he or she may take another person's life in the event of war."

No clear exceptions. The New Testament does not provide exceptions to nonviolence for self-defense or protection of loved ones. Jesus and the apostles emphasize nonretaliation and enemy love without caveats.

Ethical tension. This creates difficult ethical dilemmas, especially in "intruder scenarios." Some argue for a "lesser evil" approach that would allow defensive violence as a last resort. Others maintain that Christians should never use lethal force.

Alternative responses. Christians facing threats can:

• Use non-lethal force to restrain attackers
• Verbally de-escalate situations
• Protect others by shielding them with their own bodies
• Trust in God's protection through prayer
• Accept potential martyrdom as faithful witness

10. Christians should view all ethical issues through the lens of the cross

"Consider the cross in all its shame, foolishness, and power. Consider the call, the mandate, to take up our crosses and follow Him down the bloody road to victory, the suffering life that leads to resurrection."

Cruciform ethic. All Christian ethics must be shaped by Christ's example on the cross. He confronted the ultimate evil not through violence, but through self-giving love. He calls his followers to take up their crosses and follow him.

Countercultural stance. This ethic often goes against cultural values and human instincts. It requires faith that God's way of peace is ultimately victorious, even when it appears weak or foolish to the world.

Practical application. Christians should filter all ethical decisions through the question: "How can I best embody Christ's self-giving love in this situation?" This applies not just to issues of violence, but all areas of life.

Last updated: August 27, 2024