Kingdom of God – NONVIOLENT CHRISTIANS

Does Palm Sunday Teach Pacifism?

By Jon Kauffman

¹²The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. ¹³They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting,

“Hosanna!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Blessed is the king of Israel!”

¹⁴Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written:

¹⁵“Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming,
seated on a donkey’s colt.”^[f]

¹⁶At first his disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about him and that these things had been done to him. John 12:1-16 NIV

Does the Palm Sunday story in John teach that Christians should not participate in the military of their country?

I believe it does.

When a King conquered an enemy through the Roman military or the Egyptian military or the Assyrian military he paraded through the streets on a white horse. Jesus’ riding on a donkey indicated that he was the King of peace.

What did the people who were laying coats and palm branches in front of Jesus think that Jesus would do? They thought Jesus would throw off the yoke of Roman government and free them to live under a Jewish King or Messiah.

Does Jesus use the government or the military to conquer for his Kingdom?

The people wanted a military leader but Jesus came as spiritual King.

Jesus made clear that his Kingdom superseded human government. Jesus does not need government intervention or help to conquer evil and install his Kingdom.

At the beginning of his earthly ministry, Jesus went to the desert to be tempted. Satan offered to give Jesus all the kingdoms of the world if Jesus would worship him.

⁸Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ⁹“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

¹⁰Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matthew 4:8-10

Falling water and colorful rocks at Baring Creek.
*Copyright © 2022 by Leon Kauffman*

Paul said that the weapons we use are not the weapons of the world.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. ⁵We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Paul tells what weapons the followers of Jesus use in Ephesians 6.

Even in Revelation 19 when Jesus conquers evil, he uses the sword of the word of his mouth and does not use physical weapons.

¹¹I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. ¹²His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. ¹³He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. ¹⁴The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. ¹⁵Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.”^[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. ¹⁶On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written:

king of kings and lord of lords.

Revelation 19:11-16 NIV

During the first three centuries of the church, three times Rome tried to wipe out the church similar to way Hitler tried to wipe out the Jews. Jesus said that nothing could stand against his church. The Christians of the first 3 centuries did not need government to support Christianity. Today we do not need government to support Christianity.

Jesus said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14: 26,27 NIV

The war we are fighting is very dangerous.

When we serve Jesus we are fighting a real war, but that war is spiritual and more real than any physical battle.

The Armor of God, Ephesians 6:11-17

Jesus and the Roman Centurion, Matthew 8:5-13

Does Romans 13 Justify Christian Participation in Violence?

Who is God? Thou shalt not kill.

By Jon Kauffman

¹³“Thou shalt not kill.” Exodus 20:13 KJV

Over the years when I have asked many people why they think violence by Christians is acceptable, often they say the proper translation for Exodus 20:13 is “Thou shalt not murder.”

Murder is a legal term. People who use this argument are implying that killing is wrong only if the earthly government ruling the area where they live makes that form of killing wrong. If the government tells us killing is OK at certain times, then it is OK at those times.

Translating Exodus 20:13

The plaque of the 10 Commandments on my wall says “Thou shalt not kill”. Some versions translate the verse as “Thou shalt not murder.” I do not know which is correct.

If “murder” is the correct translation, whose law has the authority to justify violence.

Jesus

Jesus changed Moses’ law of “an eye for an eye” to “turn the other check.” Jesus demonstrated nonviolence. I find nothing in the teaching of Jesus to justify violence. It appears the teaching and commands of Jesus would require that we do not kill anyone.

Christians who approve of Violence

If we look at the actions of Christians who approve of violence, we see that they demonstrate by their actions their belief that the law of the country in which they live is the final determining factor on when we can accept violence by Christians.

For example, in World War I, many British and American Christians believed it was acceptable to kill German Christian soldiers and civilians. German Christians thought it was acceptable to kill British and American soldiers. These Christians felt violence was right because their respective government said it was right.

After a peace agreement between World War participants had been signed in 1918, Christians in the United States congress thought it was acceptable to kill Germans by starvation by refusing to sell them wheat. Because the US Congress refused to sell wheat to Germany, nearly a million Germans starved to death. The resulting animosity towards foreign powers opened the way for Hitler’s election.

In World War II many British and American Christians believed it was acceptable to kill German Christian soldiers and civilians. German Christians thought it was acceptable to kill British and American soldiers. Many German Christians also thought that it was acceptable to kill Jewish Civilians who were citizens of Germany. These Christians justified their violence because their countries had commanded them to kill.

During the Reformation in Europe, cities and states made laws outlawing certain theological stances and mandating the death penalty if someone believed in that theological stance. Many Christians felt it was acceptable to kill Christians who disagreed with them on theology because their cities or other legal jurisdictions had outlawed the disputed theological stance. The result was the bloody 30 years war. Many Christians killed Christians because their country told them to do so.

Who Is Our Authority?

The question is who has the authority to overturn the commands of Jesus? Did Hitler have the authority to command his troops to kill Americans in opposition the teaching and commands of Jesus? Did Congress have authority to command the US military to kill Germans in opposition to the teaching of Jesus? Do Church leaders have the authority to overturn the teachings of Jesus?

Some Catholics claim the Magisterium has that authority. Protestants often defer to theologians such as Augustine of Milan, Thomas Aquinas and Martin Luther. These people are human agents. Church leaders do not have the authority to change the teaching of Jesus.

Jesus is building his Kingdom on earth. We are members of that Kingdom and that Kingdom is a higher authority than earthly empires such as Rome, Great Britain and the United States.

If it were possible for the earthly kingdom to legitimately exercise the final authority, then military action, abortion and euthanasia would be OK if the government says it is OK.

I believe that man does not have authority to change the teaching and commands of Jesus. Jesus is our King, Our President, Our Prime Minister. Only Jesus has the authority to change the Law of Moses.

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See reasons that others have given to support the use of violence by Christians: Reasons Christians Give to Say Violence by Christians is Legitimate

Do Philippians 2:25 and 2 Timothy 2:3,4 Justify Violence by Christians?

By Jon Kauffman

A Christian recently said, “we would hardly expect to hear the apostle Paul use the term “soldier” in a complementary manner in his letters if serving as a soldier was contrary to God’s will (Philippians 2:25; 2 Timothy 2:3,4).”¹

25 But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. Philippians 2:25, NIV.

3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 2 Timothy 2, 3,4, NIV.

Soldiers of Jesus.

By reading these two passages in context it is clear to see that Paul considers his friends to be soldiers of Jesus. If Jesus is our commanding officer, we must follow the teaching of Jesus.

How did Paul understand the teaching of Jesus? Paul tells us in Ephesians 6 and 2 Corinthians 10 that Christians do not use the weapons of this world. We use spiritual weapons to defeat rulers and authorities and spiritual forces of evil. Using the above two passages to defend violence by Christians contradicts Paul’s teaching in Ephesians 6.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6: 10-12

In 2 Corinthians 10 Paul makes clear that Christians do not use weapons of war that the world uses.

3 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. 4 The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3,4.

Fighting for the Kingdom of God

Fighting a war for an earthly kingdom is insignificant compared to fighting one battle for the Kingdom of God. Our enemies are not flesh and blood.

If Jesus is our commanding officer, then praying for your neighbor or your own child or your enemy has more eternal significance than fighting in a worldly war.

If Jesus is our commanding officer, feeding the hungry, providing clothing for the naked and helping to rebuild houses destroyed in war has more significance in the eternal perspective than fighting as a soldier to protect kingdoms of this earth.

The pink tinged Swan Range reflected in the outlet of Holland Lake. Picture: Copyright © 2020 by Leon Kauffman

Paul Loved his Enemies

The Epistle of Philippians was written in 62 AD. Paul was in prison. Nero was Emperor. Christians were dying at the hands of Roman soldiers. Roman soldiers had killed Jesus. Roman soldiers were enemies of Paul. Paul was showing great love and patience to enemy soldiers. He did not kill them.

It is possible to show someone great respect, even if you disagree with their actions. It is possible to speak in a complementary manner of your enemy. Enemy soldiers had similar discipline, bravery and diligence required of a soldier of Jesus.

Fighting for a worldly kingdom such as the United States is clearly contradictory to what Paul thought were the teachings of Jesus.

The Philippians and 2 Timothy passages are very weak arguments if someone wants to use them as justification to join the US military. A military that kills Christians, civilians, women and children and impoverishes people in foreign lands.

The Armor of God, Ephesians 6:11-17

Does 2 Timothy 2:3 & 4 Justify Christian Military Service

Book Review: “America’s War for the Greater Middle East,” by Retired Army Colonel Andrew J. Bacevich.

See reasons that others have given to support violence by Christians: Reasons Christians Give to Say Violence by Christians is Legitimate

¹What about Jesus?

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Jesus’ Kingdom, The Kingdom of God

By Jon Kauffman

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” John 18:36 NIV

Here Jesus is speaking to Pilate just before taking up the cross and dying. Jesus said we also must take up our cross and follow him. Jesus had 10,000 angels who could have saved him from death and given him all the kingdoms of the world. Jesus can protect us in the same way.

The church is building the Kingdom of God on earth in the same way Jesus was building the Kingdom of God on earth. We are his servants on earth, but since his Kingdom is not of this earth, to follow Jesus we must not fight for the Kingdoms of this earth.

Many similarities exist between the Roman Empire of Jesus’ day and the United States Empire of today. Both were policemen of the world. Both were built on money and power. Rome used an open method of torture, the cross. The US uses water boarding and clandestine operations to overthrow governments.

When we join the military we are fighting for the Kingdoms of the earth. Eisenhower talked about the military/industrial complex and the huge profits made from war. If we look closely at the players in the Middle East, we see that Eisenhower’s comments are more true today than in his time.Our foreign policy is designed to make war manufacturers and troop support businesses huge amounts of money.

In US drone warfare, estimates range from 5 to 50 innocent people killed for every enemy soldier killed. The US continues to perform signature drone strikes on a daily basis. Most of the enemy soldiers killed are defending their homes against an invading US force.

Return to : Reasons Christians Give to Say Violence by Christians is Legitimate

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