In questioning the common sense of the Just War Theory, I am seeking to promulgate the abundantly clear teachings of the New Testament regarding non-violence. Allow me to use this post to simply list a few of the overt passages from Jesus and His apostles reagrding this subject. Consider these Scriptures and the direct implications of this teaching. If we are to be serious followers of Jesus and students of Scripture, this is where we must begin. Rather than establishing the conversation with questions ragarding emotionally laden, hypothetical situations, we should start with the question: what does the Bible teach?
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
(Matthew 5:9 ESV)
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire."
(Matthew 5:21-22 ESV)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 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. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
(Matthew 5:38-48 ESV)
Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword."
(Matthew 26:52 ESV)
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.”
(John 18:36 ESV)
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
(Romans 12:14, 18-21 ESV)
Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
(1 Peter 3:9 ESV)
Do not simply breeze through these Scriptures mindlessly, but take some time to ponder and meditate on them. In the following posts, I will respond to the common rejoinders which are offered from Scripture and the primordial philosophical inquiries. For now, I challenge all of us to honestly wrestle with these passages and stare continually into Jesus' and the apostles' words on this subject. From there, we will venture into other issues.
No comments:
Post a Comment