Should Christians go to war?

Post by **_Rae** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 12:38 am

In the book I just read (The Kingdom That Turned The World Upside Down), David W. Bercot makes a strong case for nonresistance -- in every circumstance. (I don't totally agree with him necessarily, but he still makes a good case).

One of the "objections" to nonresistance that he answers is about protecting your wife and child with force. He makes the case that it is not okay to do so. That you should hate your wife and child compared to Christ's command to not resist an evil person.

But, he didn't address the question of what if someone is attacking someone else that you don't know? What if we walk up on a stranger being robbed and beaten? Are we to be nonresistant then? Just say, "Sorry, I can't help you because Jesus said that I can't resist an evil person"?

I personally think that would be rather ridiculous and I don't believe that is what Jesus taught.

But... why would he think it would be different if someone wanted to harm your wife and child? Maybe he doesn't think it would be different. Maybe he wouldn't help the person being mugged on the street. I don't know the nonresistant stance well enough to guess.

Anyway, just some thoughts after spending the last several hours reading a book where a good majority was about Jesus' teachings on nonresistance as well as what he believes the historical (true) church's position is on it.

My brain is officially full and it is time for bed!!

Post by **_Derek** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:59 pm

Hi Rae,

But, he didn't address the question of what if someone is attacking someone else that you don't know? What if we walk up on a stranger being robbed and beaten? Are we to be nonresistant then? Just say, "Sorry, I can't help you because Jesus said that I can't resist an evil person"?

I personally think that would be rather ridiculous and I don't believe that is what Jesus taught.

Though I take a primarily pacifist stance. I don't think that this means we are not obligated to protect our families or our neighbor who is in harms way in our presense.

While we are to "not resist the evil man" we are also to "love our neighbor as ourselves".

No doubt this will make some think I am being inconsistent. But I think that intervening in a crime in progress, and that not necessarilly by viloent means, is far different than pledging allegence to a military force, who's primary business is killing the enemy.

Sometimes we may even have to resort to viloent force. For instance, if I lay down my life for my wife, the attacker may well attack her anyway, having me out of the way. In this instance, I may have to use viloent force (what little I could possibly muster).

God bless,

Post by **_Rae** » Mon Aug 20, 2007 9:42 pm

As I was walking alone though the parking lot of Wal-Mart tonight I had another thought regarding the topic of non-resistance...

What if your Christian wife/mother/sister/daughter/etc.... was in a position where she was about to be raped. Should she just let the guy do it since we as individuals are not to resist an evil person? Wouldn't running be resisting? Pepper spray... resisting. Kicking.... resisting. Really everything except doing what the guy wants would be considered resisting.

Would it be wrong for her to resist this evil person?

If not, why then would it be wrong for a man to resist an evil person in like manner if he is attacked physically?

Post by **_Paidion** » Tue Aug 21, 2007 9:10 pm

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

Matthew 5:39 But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also.

It seems we must discern which of the above applies to our situation.