Does Christianity require Pacifism

Hmmm. I wonder then if you would also refuse to call the police if your family was being attacked. Would you actually call people with guns, you are not supposed to be yoked with?

Let's see if you're consistent on this.

 

Yes! it is their job to kill. But not the Christian's calling.

 

By calling them, you're in essence taking part in what they do. There's no way to be a pacifist if you're willing to call in the big guns.

 

God ordained the magistrate to bear the sword. He ordained us to love enemies more than our own lives if it comes down to that.

 

I agree, but your premise is you can't be loving and shoot someone. By extension you can't be loving and call someone to shoot someone. You're contradicting yourself.

I don't have that restraint as I think it's unloving not to protect my family if the magistrate can't get there in time. I also don't believe we are required to put our enemy above our family and neighbor. Somehow you've come to this conclusion.

 

Jesus said to resist not evil. Do you love him more than you do yourself or family?

 

Okay, then why would you call the police to resit evil for you?? If you say you can't use a gun because of that command, then you also can't call the police because of that command. Calling the police is resisting evil by definition.

I'm just trying to get you to be consistent.

 

That is God's plan. The magistrate kills enemies. We would rather die first.

 

No you would't. By your own admission, you would call the police first. You don't practice what you preach.

 

It depends,

“For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.” Romans 13:3–5 (KJV 1900)

 

You're dodging. You said you'd rather die first, yet also saying you'd call the police to kill your enemy first. You're inconsistent, at best. This verse doesn't speak to that.

 

We will never know if pacifism works or is a valid defense since it has not been, and never will be tried on a national level.
As subjects of a government, we are to be obedient to those who rule over us. If those in control over us, pacifist Christians, were all pacifist Christians enjoying God's blessings, what would we expect God to do if our nation were under military attack? Would He engage in pacifism and allow us to be annihilated or would He intervene on our part and annihilate our enemy? You see, we will never know.

 

We know God created the nations and ordained their rulers who are granted the right to use lethal force. And on a personal level, Jesus instructed us to purchase a weapon (Luke 22:36). Between those two, I'd say pacifism is a myth from the Christian perspective.

 

If he believes humans evolved, he's already got problems and is already going against Jesus.

Mark 10:6 But from the beginning of the creation, God “made them male and female.’​

Jesus was not putting together an army for a rebellion, but he did not go so far as to say we couldn't defend ourselves. He specifically commanded Christian groups or families to own a weapon.

Luke 22:36 Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one.​

The balance is not finding some imaginary ground between pacifism and violence, but rather taking Jesus' literally. Own a weapon for self defense. Protect your brothers and family. But, don't stockpile so as to lead a rebellion and overthrow law enforcement or governments. Two is enough (Luke 22:38).

That's the balance.

 

Have you considered how it is better to take a bullet upholding Jesus' words about non resistance of evil, and loving enemies, and to wear the martyr's crown forever? Than to ignore him and kill only to grow old and suffer the pain and sickness of old age?

 

I think a martyrdom is something some individual Christians are called to do. I think there are times for it. I don't go looking for it, but if it came to me I'd pray for God's grace.

But you're talking about something totally different. You're talking about offering your family and fellow brothers up to be martyred. That's actually cowardice. A righteous man protects the innocent. He does not offer them up to be sacrificed. That's a false religion.

 

The short sword Jesus spoke about was the weapon of his day. It was akin to a pistol or riffle today. Definitely not enough to overthrow an army, but sufficient to stop the thug trying to kill your family.