“…nothing can be more abhorrent to the Christian man than wholesale slaughter.” Charles Spurgeon
Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892): A Baptist pastor and author from London.
I voiced to him my grave misgivings, first on the basis of my belief that Japan was already defeated and that dropping the bomb was completely unnecessary, and secondly because I thought that our country should avoid shocking world opinion by the use of a weapon whose employment was, I thought, no longer mandatory as a measure to save American lives.—Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower (to Sec. of War before the dropping of the bomb)
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890-1969): American General and 34th President of the United States.
The Japanese had, in fact, already sued for peace. The atomic bomb played no decisive part, from a purely military point of view, in the defeat of Japan. — Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1966) Leading US Navy authority on submarines, playing a major role in WWII.
The atomic bomb had nothing to do with the end of the war at all. — Major General Curtis LeMay
Major General Curtis LeMay (1906-1990) Planned and implemented effective and controversial strategic bombing campaign in the Pacific Theater of WWII.
The first atomic bomb was an unnecessary
experiment … It was a mistake to ever drop it … [the scientists] had
this toy and they wanted to try it out, so they dropped it …— Fleet Admiral
William Halsey, Jr
Fleet Admiral William Halsey, Jr (1882-1959) An American Admiral in the Unites States Navy during WWII.
The United States killed 1.2 million innocent Japanese civilians in World War II. World War II was not the “Good War.”
I have been asking Christians why they feel it’s acceptable for Christians to use violence for 40 years. Listed below are reasons I have been hearing. I have provided a link to my response. I am planning to post responses to more of the reasons.
I think the best argument I have heard is “Protecting your family when violent people come.” (See reason 1 below.) But even in this case an alternative to the Christian using violence almost always occurs.
Notice however, that when we start looking for reasons to defend a pacifist position using the teachings of Jesus or the examples of Jesus, Paul, Peter & James, we can easily find one argument after another. For example, in Matthew 5: 8-13, Jesus shows us how to treat an enemy by healing the centurions servant. (See reason 13 below)
Arguments people have given me to suggest that it is acceptable for Christians to us violence:
Protecting your family when violent people come. See my response:
Some say we have the right to self-defense. Keith Giles wrote a Christian Bill of Rights. See it here: “Christian Bill of Rights.” Pastor Giles did not include self-defense and I agree. .
Soldiers have good medical benefits. Should a Christian put medical benefits as a higher priority than following the teachings of Jesus? .
Soldiers have good educational opportunities. Should a Christian put education as a higher priority than following the teachings of Jesus? .
The military teaches discipline. It takes great discipline to follow the teachings of Jesus. Which is a higher priority? .
Veterans are recognized as heroes. See my response:
Theologians such as St. Augustine and Martin Luther have justified Christian use of violence. The issue is settled and we don’t need to talk about it anymore. See my response:
Paul used the Armor of God (Military references) as a metaphor for Christian spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:11-17. Because Paul referenced military equipment, that means he approved of Christians participating in military violence. See my response:
Christ himself said, If a man does not own a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one. Luke 22:36. I follow Micheal Snow’s blog. Michael has written an excellent response to this argument.
The sixth commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” should read, “Thou shalt not murder”. If you are killing at the request of the state, it is not murder. See my response:
“But for me,the strongest evidence that Christians can join the military in good conscience is God’s command to protect the innocent.” See my response:
Ryan Callahan has written one of the best defenses for Christian violence than I have heard or read over the last 40 years of asking. Ryan said, “Good to meet you Jon. I agree that as followers of Jesus we should be men of peace. The Bible is also clear in 1 Corinthians 13:7 that love always protects. Defending your family is not a matter of violence. It is a matter of love.” Closely related is Phil Robinson’s defense of Christian violence. See my Response:
See the very interesting conversation between Ryan and Agent X.
“I have no problem with people Christian or otherwise for that matter choosing not to defend themselves ( particularly if doing so would involve violence) I do have an issue with people who refuse to defend OTHER people and/or tell people that it is wrong to use their legal right to self defense.” I found this quote on Christian Forums.
In Numbers 32, two tribes of Israel wanted to stay in Gilead and discontinue fighting. Moses spoke severely to them therefor we also should fight in war. .
One friend said, “Jesus often saves people in the military so it must be alright to work in the military.” Jesus saves people who once were prostitutes and thieves. That does not indicate that is acceptable for people to remain prostitutes and thieves. .
What arguments for violence have I missed? Please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking.
What arguments for violence have I missed? Please feel free to point out any errors in my thinking.
In the Sixteenth Century at least 1500 Anabaptists were tortured and killed because they insisted on living by the teachings of Jesus. An Anabaptist, Dirk Willem was imprisoned to be killed.
Dirk escaped prison and was fleeing for his life. He crossed a pond covered by a thin layer of ice. His pursuer fell through the ice. Dirk turned back and saved his enemy from drowning. The man he saved, grabbed him and held him for arrest. On May 16, 1569, Dirk Willem was executed by fire.
I absolutely agree with you that war is not compatible with Christian belief. It’s the reason I long ago ceased to call myself a Christian. I believe that there are circumstances in which war is justified and would cite the activity of Adolf Hitler and his followers. Had the rest of the world permitted the Nazi’s to continue with their programme, which included unspeakable violence against large numbers of our fellow humans based on their ethnicity/religious beliefs/failure to meet a supposed ideal of physical and mental perfection, neither you nor I would be alive today.Frank Parker
I find Frank’s honesty refreshing. I remain a Christian and believe it is wrong for Christians to participate in war. Why should we leave the Christian faith if most Christians do not follow that faith?
Many times the use of violence seems logical and right, but Jesus taught non-violence and gave us the example of a life and death of non-violence. Nowhere in the teaching of Jesus is violence taught as an acceptable alternative to non-violence.
Jesus as the Son of God has the right to ask his followers to live lives of non-violence if that is what he wants to do.
40 years and I have not found any reasons that Christians use to justify violence, that I felt is convincing.
NONVIOLENT CHRISTIANS 