Comments on: Non-Resistance in John 18? http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/2010/01/18/non-resistance-in-john-18/ Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:15:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Christine http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/2010/01/18/non-resistance-in-john-18/comment-page-1/#comment-164473 Christine Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:17:36 +0000 http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/?p=2454#comment-164473 Hello! We would be in agreement with the other side, pacifism, and in agreement with David's post above, particularly the first paragraph. Hello!

We would be in agreement with the other side, pacifism, and in agreement with David’s post above, particularly the first paragraph.

]]> By: David http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/2010/01/18/non-resistance-in-john-18/comment-page-1/#comment-162154 David Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:01:57 +0000 http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/?p=2454#comment-162154 It seems to me that the Lord in Matt. 5:38-48 does indeed preclude any and all physical resistance on the part of believers to physical aggression from unbelievers. I do not see that this is limited to non-resistance in the case of religious persecution but appears as a blanket prohibition on the use of physical force against aggressors. I am not aware of any passages that commend physical violence of any sort on the part of believers. I realize this view is a minority one among most Christians today, although in reading church history, it appears that for about the first three centuries, the Church universally held this pacific/non-resistant view and forbade members to engage in physical violence of all sorts. Later, of course, as church and state became enmeshed and "holy wars" erupted, things got murkier. But, again, to just seek to let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than imposing our own theological grid on them, it appears to me that Christians are commanded by the Lord to not physically resist evildoers, but rather to overcome evil with good (spiritual weapons rather than carnal ones). Here's an interesting perspective from a "Theonomic pacifist": http://vftonline.org/XianAnarch/pacifism/index.htm Grace to you! It seems to me that the Lord in Matt. 5:38-48 does indeed preclude any and all physical resistance on the part of believers to physical aggression from unbelievers. I do not see that this is limited to non-resistance in the case of religious persecution but appears as a blanket prohibition on the use of physical force against aggressors. I am not aware of any passages that commend physical violence of any sort on the part of believers.

I realize this view is a minority one among most Christians today, although in reading church history, it appears that for about the first three
centuries, the Church universally held this pacific/non-resistant view and forbade members to engage in physical violence of all sorts. Later, of course, as church and state became enmeshed and “holy wars” erupted, things got murkier. But, again, to just seek to let the Scriptures speak for themselves rather than imposing our own theological grid on them, it appears to me that Christians are commanded by the Lord to not physically resist evildoers, but rather to overcome evil with good (spiritual weapons rather
than carnal ones).

Here’s an interesting perspective from a “Theonomic pacifist”:
http://vftonline.org/XianAnarch/pacifism/index.htm

Grace to you!

]]> By: Carol http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/2010/01/18/non-resistance-in-john-18/comment-page-1/#comment-161256 Carol Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:34:50 +0000 http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/?p=2454#comment-161256 An excellent, thoughtful, well-referenced response. Thank you. An excellent, thoughtful, well-referenced response. Thank you.

]]> By: Perla Sarmiento de Adams http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/2010/01/18/non-resistance-in-john-18/comment-page-1/#comment-161194 Perla Sarmiento de Adams Tue, 19 Jan 2010 06:23:02 +0000 http://www.triviumpursuit.com/blog/?p=2454#comment-161194 This is a nice post. I read last year the book When is Right to Fight? by Robert Morey. It helps me to see other point of view in the matter of pacifism and self-defense. This is a nice post.

I read last year the book When is Right to Fight? by Robert Morey. It helps me to see other point of view in the matter of pacifism and self-defense.

]]>