Was Jesus Really an Inveterate Pacifist?

Full video from Politics and Prose available at: fora.tv/2013/09...
Traditional narratives of Jesus claim that he disavowed all forms of violence. Rather, so it goes, he embraced pacifism universally, an ancient forebearer for the likes of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. Aslan critiques this view, logicially claiming that the "inveterate pacifist" would not long survive the world of first century Jerusalem under Roman rule. The historical record goes a step further he suggests. The Jesus of his time sought a full reversal of the social structure (an early rendition of socialism), and to embrace such a figure would undermine the current Christian narrative espoused by the far right.

[@dogbishop]

Also the idea that a philosopher such as Jesus had to have specifically mentioned "guns" or "gays" let alone stem cell research or late term abortion 2000 years ago for his moral philosophy to be applied to these topics is a fallacious argument. Whether or not current Christian philosphers have correctly applied the moral teachings is a different issue.

[@hillarysudeikis2264]

I agree, there are many incredibly degenerate and immoral things that have happened over the past 2000 years that were not specifically mentioned by Lord Jesus Christ that we know can see from all His teachings that He would not have agreed with. He is/was not a philosopher, He is alive today and He is our God. He resurrected on the third day, repent and believe in him, trust in Him completely.

[@magatism]

At the final supper, Sell your cloak and buy a sword. 2 days later at Getsamane, lord should we strike with our swords.

[@edwingrove1442]

(Matthew 26, 26:52): "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword."

[@JeremyBWallace]

@@edwingrove1442 In its context, in the following two verses, Jesus clarifies why He said that. The Father could intervene to protect them and more importantly, the Father's will was to be fulfilled through Jesus' arrest. This was not meant to be a statement against using a self protection device (sword/gun).

[@JeremyBWallace]

@Nathan Elleman 53 Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

[@JeremyBWallace]

Jesus did say something about a sword which is synonymous with guns today. Think optimal personal protection device and both are equal in their respective time period.

[@JeremyBWallace]

@Nathan Elleman He wasn't so passive when He overturned the money changers' tables in the Temple and physically drove out those who were buying & selling in Matthew 21:12-13. And He did not directly indicate the exact reason why asked his disciples to bring a sword. So it is only an assumption to say it was for anything other than its normal intended use of the time.

[@JeremyBWallace]

@Nathan Elleman I agree that for the most part, Jesus taught for us to, as far as it depends on us, be at peace with all men. But He didn't come to abolish the law of Moses, but to fulfill it. The law clearly allows for self defense and protection of private property. But Jesus came to take what was superficial in many people's minds to the heart level. Like it was said do not murder, but I say to not be angry with your brother. If our heart is pure, our actions will be guided by it.

[@JeremyBWallace]

@Nathan Elleman Right. But the moral law includes justice be upheld in terms of the most valuable personal possession, i.e. one's own life. While He asks us to submit to persecution for the Gospel, this doesn't necessarily include personal attacks for all other evil reasons. God still values our life and doesn't restrict our means to protect it.

[@JeremyBWallace]

@Nathan Elleman Glad to do so. It was a pleasure chatting with you on this. May God bless your honest pursuit of the truth! 😊

[@citizensolidarity]

i cherish the time Jesus freaked out, he lost it on the money exchangers, kicking them out of the Temple...bc I've reacted similar to government injustices in society....we are humans, so was Jesus, with human emotions

[@PeterC3400]

J.C.: Love your KZbin name and Minchin references! As an Atheist, I also feel the same frustration that the world is lost in a fog of religion. It's SO obvious to those who see the bigger picture and SO frustrating to tell someone there are 6,000+ man-made religions and then hear them say, "But mine is REAL." Advice: I used to insult Faithbots. All it did was strengthen their defenses. Try calmly posting facts and engaging based on REASON. They can't defend against that as easily. Peace!

[@PeterC3400]

​@MujahidOfTheRedwoods Wow! You're so lucky that God loves YOU so much. He kills tens of thousands of other people every day through war, disease, famine and other misfortunes. You must be one of his favorites. Those other slobs must have done something really BAD to deserve His wrath because they all DIED, many in extreme agony.

[@SACREDFlRE]

Some super intelligent dialog here in the comments section. Oh no, wait, just

[@degibs]

I'm beginning to consider jesus didn't exist, I will wait till I read richard carriers new book i think.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

He didn't really answer the question. I will. Yes.

[@THESocialJusticeWarrior]

@Podcast - SørenCast Z, No. THE Social Justice Warrior. Get it straight.

[@mohammedfaisall1651]

Was Jesus a Pacifist ?? Pacifist is a person who does not believe in war and violence. During the time of Jesus (peace be upon him) Romans were having illegal expansions in the territory of modern day Israel. A prophet of God is 2 things in one that is (A spiritual reformer) and (A social reformer). So Jesus (peace be upon him) being a prophet of God would never be silent on the corruption around him, but he would try his level best in resolving and removing corruption. So Jesus (peace be upon him) would try all possible methods to fight corruption or evil people (even if fighting is the last option). Even Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) participated in the war because it was the last option. So in short Jesus (peace be upon him) was overall a peaceful person not completely because even he believed in punishing people for bad acts. But not as peaceful as portrayed in the Gospels because Jesus (peace be upon him) being a prophet of God would never hesitate in participating in war for removing evil practices only if war is the last option.

[@madhurawat155]

I personally think that Jesus was what I would call a pragmatic pacifist. I think that while he denounced offensive acts in general, he wasn't against acts of self defence.

[@dogbishop]

As a nominal Christian, I have tried to rekindle my faith without much success. However this author's answer is nonsence: many Christians are well aware of the revolutionary nature of Jesus' philosophy. Read "Radical" by David Platt or "Not a Fan" by David Idleman.

[@orfeoball3015]

There's no evidence Jeshua ever existed. Christ was the Gnostic Solar Deity.

[@freesk8]

I'm an atheist, but I have no problem stipulating that Jesus probably existed. Other than when he turned over the tables of the money changers in the temple, and may even have scared them with a small whip, there is no other violent act attributed to Jesus in the Bible, to my knowledge. Love thy enemy. I think he was a total pacifist. No one who really thinks he is a Christian can endorse any war, not even the self-defensive kind.

[@susanroberts5048]

freesk8 - I don't believe if a criminal broke into your home, beat your wife to a pulp, and was about to kill your child, that if you used self defense and saved their life Jesus would think it wrong. It's only common sense. We're not supposed to be violent and should treat each other with love. Jesus' mission was to die on the cross so He was not going to stop this from happening. Herein lies His victory when rising from the dead. I am not a violent person but if someone tried to kill my husband I sure would not idly stand by and watch it all happen and not do a damn thing to save him. How ridiculous that people cannot understand the difference.

[@hillarysudeikis2264]

Susan Roberts amen, I agree with you 100%

[@madhurawat155]

@@susanroberts5048 I personally think that Jesus was what I would call a pragmatic pacifist. While he denounced offensive acts in general, he wasn't against acts of self defence.