The Christian Dilemma of War, pt. 3
Having examined a few of the difficulties with the activist approach to war, we now turn our attention to pacifism.
There are varying degrees of pacifism. Universal pacifism views the killing of another human being or the violent resistance of evil as always wrong. Christian pacifism is the idea that Christians are never justified in killing or using violence, but recognizes the necessity at times for non-Christians to use deadly force and engage in war. Private pacifism sees personal violence as always wrong, but believes that sometimes a nation is justified in going to war. Finally, anti-war pacifism recognizes that sometimes a person is justified in using violence or deadly force in self-defense, but war is always morally wrong.
Many pacifists use the Bible to support their position. The most common verse used is “Thou shall not kill.” (Exod. 20:13) At face value, this verse seems to rule out killing any human being for any reason. However, one must also explain why God instituted capital punishment for murderers (Genesis 9:6) and why God commanded Israel to go to war on numerous occasions. A better translation of Exodus 20:13 is, “thou shall not murder.” This would imply that killing another human being in self-defense, engaging in a certain kind of war, or using capital punishment for murderers may not be morally wrong.
Pacifists also use Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Christians should not hate their enemies, but the necessity to take the life of another human being does not necessarily involve hate. Sometimes war is the only way to liberate an oppressed people or to protect one’s own nation from evil tyranny. The world would be a much darker place if the United States did not get involved in World War II against Hitler’s Germany. Just like a doctor may find it necessary to amputate a leg to save the whole body, sometimes it is necessary to take human life in war to save more lives. If the ultimate goal of war is justice, going to war may in fact fulfill the law of love toward our neighbors.
Finally, another important verse for pacifists is Matthew 5:39: “…But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” What exactly did Jesus mean? Did he mean that if someone breaks into a home and threatens bodily harm, the homeowner should not resist? Looking closer at the context, it does not necessarily mean that self-defense is wrong. A slap on the “right cheek” by a right handed person is done by the back of the hand, which was considered a great insult. In essence, Jesus was saying not to return insult for insult. This is likely the best way to understand this verse since Jesus himself did not turn the other cheek when he was struck in the face (John 18:22-23).
Next week we’ll discuss the Just War Theory.
a pdf version of this entry is available here
There are varying degrees of pacifism. Universal pacifism views the killing of another human being or the violent resistance of evil as always wrong. Christian pacifism is the idea that Christians are never justified in killing or using violence, but recognizes the necessity at times for non-Christians to use deadly force and engage in war. Private pacifism sees personal violence as always wrong, but believes that sometimes a nation is justified in going to war. Finally, anti-war pacifism recognizes that sometimes a person is justified in using violence or deadly force in self-defense, but war is always morally wrong.
Many pacifists use the Bible to support their position. The most common verse used is “Thou shall not kill.” (Exod. 20:13) At face value, this verse seems to rule out killing any human being for any reason. However, one must also explain why God instituted capital punishment for murderers (Genesis 9:6) and why God commanded Israel to go to war on numerous occasions. A better translation of Exodus 20:13 is, “thou shall not murder.” This would imply that killing another human being in self-defense, engaging in a certain kind of war, or using capital punishment for murderers may not be morally wrong.
Pacifists also use Matthew 5:44: “But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Christians should not hate their enemies, but the necessity to take the life of another human being does not necessarily involve hate. Sometimes war is the only way to liberate an oppressed people or to protect one’s own nation from evil tyranny. The world would be a much darker place if the United States did not get involved in World War II against Hitler’s Germany. Just like a doctor may find it necessary to amputate a leg to save the whole body, sometimes it is necessary to take human life in war to save more lives. If the ultimate goal of war is justice, going to war may in fact fulfill the law of love toward our neighbors.
Finally, another important verse for pacifists is Matthew 5:39: “…But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.” What exactly did Jesus mean? Did he mean that if someone breaks into a home and threatens bodily harm, the homeowner should not resist? Looking closer at the context, it does not necessarily mean that self-defense is wrong. A slap on the “right cheek” by a right handed person is done by the back of the hand, which was considered a great insult. In essence, Jesus was saying not to return insult for insult. This is likely the best way to understand this verse since Jesus himself did not turn the other cheek when he was struck in the face (John 18:22-23).
Next week we’ll discuss the Just War Theory.
a pdf version of this entry is available here
Labels: pacifism
posted on Friday, June 06, 2008 |
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