What would Jesus do?__Joseph Farah(God is not a pacifist)

As America nears military action against Iraq, some are suggesting that an attack of this type is somehow contrary to the words and deeds of Jesus.

Many modern Christians seem to believe Jesus was some kind of pacifist. This is not true – not even close.

As usual, those who subscribe to this notion that Jesus was a pacifist do so largely based on one New Testament scriptural reference – Matthew 5:38-39, the famous statement in which He suggests when struck in the face by an assailant to "turn the other cheek."

Yet, if Jesus is truly God, as Christians believe, one needs to examine the context of this statement, as well as the entire body of God's word to draw any conclusions as to whether self-defense by individuals and nations is a legitimate course of action.

Often, the very same people who hang so much significance on turning the other cheek fail to absorb the significance of the entire chapter. Some Christians like to pretend that Jesus somehow broke with the traditions of the Old Testament. Nothing could be further from the truth, as Jesus Himself explains in this same chapter.

In Matthew 5: 17-20, Jesus is recorded explaining: "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven."

In other words, Jesus says He is the embodiment of the law that preceded His earthly incarnation as a mortal. Far from rejecting or overturning the law, He came to earth to fulfill it. Likewise, He provided man with an escape from its condemnation through His substitutionary sacrifice, and most of this chapter illustrates just why we need Him. None of us could live up to the letter of the law, let alone the spirit of it. That's what Jesus is saying. And He came to offer Himself – His own life, His own pain, His own blood – to give us a second chance.

Moving to the Gospel of John, we learn that Jesus is eternal. He always was and He always will be. He made the world and the universe. He is one with the Father. So, all of the commandments of God, as we know them, in what Christians call "the Old Testament," are likewise the commandments of Jesus. He didn't come to overturn them. He came to fulfill them.

Read the Book of Judges and you will find that God told the Jews to utterly destroy entire unrighteous nations so that they could occupy the Promised Land. When the Jews failed to do this, they paid a heavy price. In Genesis, God Himself destroys Sodom and Gomorrah because of immorality. Throughout the Old Testament, we witness God destroying unrighteous men and ordering unrighteous men destroyed. Keep in mind, also, we are told in Hebrews 13:8 that Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever.

If Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, that means Jesus destroyed unrighteous men and ordered unrighteous men destroyed.

Further, in the Old Testament, we see in I Samuel 25:13 that all men were to be armed with swords – the most advanced weapon of the time. In Judges 5:8, we are given a picture of a foolish nation that chooses new gods and to disarm. "Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight," David writes in Psalms 144:1.

Even in the New Testament, in Luke 22:36, Jesus commands His disciples to buy swords and strap them on: "Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."

The Bible is a book of war – a spiritual war raging in Heaven and on Earth. It is not a manual for pacifism.

That was the KJV.

I've checked the New American Standard: "But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." Matt 5:39 (NASB)

The Bible in Basic English: "But I say to you, Do not make use of force against an evil man; but to him who gives you a blow on the right side of your face let the left be turned." Matt 5:39 (BBE)

Darby's Translation: "But *I* say unto you, not to resist evil; but whoever shall strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other; Matt 5:39 (Darby)

New Revised Standard: "But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;" Matt 5:39 (NRSV)

New International Version: "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Matt 5:39 (NIV)

I guess you could interpret that in terms of returning evil for evil. I would think a more direct interpretation is appropriate.

You're right, we should try to approximate the Kingdom of God in all things we do. But, if we are not to resist evil, at least in some circumstances, why did Christ tell his disciples to go and buy a sword?

1 Tim 5:8 "But if any provide (or protect)not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."

Jesus said if someone strikes you on one cheek turn the other toward him. If he does it again...well let's just say the Savior left no further instructions. I say we've turned the other cheek enough.

Dear Forgiven:

Pacifism is just another feel-good liberal word. Like homophobia, tolerance, and environmentalist. You won't find pacifism in the Bible. The closest you will come is "Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men."

This one applies within the church: "2Cor 13:11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you."

If you let someone beat you up or cripple you or kill you in the name of "pacifism," then how can you take care of your family? "1 Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Of course that also goes for walking away from a fight if you can. Getting yourself killed over pride is just as bad.

Yes, pacificism means different things to different people. I don't have any problem with personal self defense or that of my family, since I am preventing harm. But in war one does not have that fine grain control. Innocents will be killed. That's what seems to be unChristian to be, not the death of killers.

Here's the thing: Jesus said we should not repay evil with evil. Self-defense is not evil. Stopping an attacker from hurting a weak or defenseless victim is not evil. Defending our country in the armed forces is not evil, and neither is the government using physical force to keep law and order. There are Biblical, moral uses of violence.

On the other hand, if someone steals from me I should not steal from them. If someone calls me a name I should not respond in kind. If someone slanders me publicly I should not respond in kind.

I believe "offer the other (cheek)", i think, means that if you get slapped, front the person. Show him it didnt bother you. Now if the person cut your arm off, Jesus doesnt recommend offering the other as the level of violence doesnt equal a slap in the face. Jesus would recommend a can a whup a_ _ in self defense.

Jesus was answering someone that asked if they could join his ministry. He was telling them how to act if they do.

Everyone has their own interpretation of everything. That's why we're here, to have our discernment judged.

J. Vernon McGee gives another interpretation in his commentaries. Essentially, he says that the Sermon On The Mount is a description of how Christians will live after the Kingdom of God is established on earth. IOW, how we would live in a perfect world and not a prescription for how we should live in this world.

The context of the situation was a person was asking how to join the ministry and Jesus was telling them how to act if they do.

>Read the Book of Judges and you will find that God told the Jews to utterly destroy entire unrighteous nations

Close, but no cigar.

There is no mention of Jews in the Book of Judges. There are however many references to Israelites. Not the same thing. (For details, please click on my LostTribe profile, below.)

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