PACIFISM: the belief that any violence, including war, is unjustifiable under any circumstances, and that all disputes should be settled by peaceful means.
Question to me:
“How do you understand Matthew 5:39
Do you think this is encouraging pacifism and the acceptance of abuse or do you thing this is saying something else?
I immediately think of the time when Jesus went into the temple with whips or cords and DROVE out those that were there.
Here it appears he actually used violence in which was justified. A righteous anger and with correction It does seem.
I also think of the times in the Torah in which God commanded War and things of the sort, so violence can’t be wrong and there has to be times in which it is just
So would turning the other cheek only apply to one not truly attempting to bring harm, just embarrassment or something of this sort maybe? And that defending yourself or another from one who is attempting to truly harm you is justified?
But then again it does say “resist not evil,” and because it isn’t specified would imply all forms of it. But also, you have only two cheeks, so is the 3rd time the charm? And Jesus says instead of going with him one mile go twain, so is the third mile all fair play?
Jesus in the example wasn’t in a position to resist evil.
Do you think I am approaching this topic incorrectly big brother?”
ok. This is obviously one of the tougher subjects. And its one I have thought about alot. I was going to start this topic up in a group. You’ve motivated me to tackle this and put it up on our website. Ill do that now with a more complete answer.
……
ANSWER:
Let me start by saying what I try to always say when answering a question. I state that Jesus said ONLY HE is our teacher, “For one is your teacher, the Christ…..For one is your teacher, the Christ”. – Matthew
23.8,10.
And because he is our only teacher, I am not a teacher. What I am about to say could be wrong. But at the same time we are commanded to discuss the commandments wherever we go.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 KJV And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8 And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9 And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.
……..
Ok. now that I made that clear. This is what I think. I think we must follow every commandment Jesus gave us. So if someone asks for your cloke give him your tunic also…..perhaps today that would be someone asking you for your coat and you give him your shirt as well. [notice he is speaking to ALL men. I wouldnt expect a woman to go topless]…….
So if someone slaps you, yes turn the other cheek. He is clear on this. It’s really hard because our instincts tell us to fight or run. When I live in London a missionary from China named “Paul” say a man hit him, and he turned the other cheek, and the guy hit him again. after he hit him again, he felt bad for hitting him and apologized. The guy ….if I remember right….saught to be a disciple of Jesus after that.
A funny thing happened. Jesus told the Disciples to go buy a sword. Right after that the pharisees came to take Jesus. Peter cut the ear off. Jesus scolded him for it and said if he wanted to produce 1000s of Angels he could. So it appears Jesus told them to buy a sword just so he can teach them a lesson. I cant say this is absolutely true….but it goes along with the verses you mention.
So….this is where I get confused. What if we have a child, and the child is in danger. Do we let people attack us and kill our kids? I dont have an answer. Jesus didnt say, “if someone tries to kill you let them”. He mentioned minor things. He didn’t say “let your family be killed”. Also if we love our family we wont let them be hurt. So for me pursonally, I would try to not hiut back if i am alone. But if I think someone else is in danger, I will defend that person.
last thing
…..
So what about driving people from their land in Israel? Why does God tell them to do that? First of all you must know that God drove their enemies out from the land. here is one way he did it….
Deuteronomy 7:20 KJV Moreover the LORD thy God will send the hornet among them, until they that are left, and hide themselves from thee, be destroyed.
Joshua 24:12 KJV And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, [even] the two kings of the Amorites; [but] not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.
But it looks like they did kill some people. All I can say is God sometimes gives different commandments to different people. We are Disciples of Jesus, so we do what he taught. He didnt mention clearing out Israel of Romans.
Chicago is a great example of what happens when people do the opposite of what Jesus says. They kill people, who then seek revenge, and the revenge killing is endless. Not hiitng back does more good than hitting back. MalcolmX and MLK disagreed on how to proceed. In the end MLK’s philosophy on not fighting back won the day. How can you attack a people who wont fight back?
Hey one more teaching from Jesus. He does tell people to run.
Matthew 24:15-20 KJV When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) 16 Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: 17 Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house: 18 Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. 19 And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! 20 But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day:”
