The Jesus Gospel
Sharing the teachings of Jesus that the world would like to ignore.
Why Christian non-violence?
Why I Believe In Non-violence.
I once was in a public dialog with a professor from a well respected seminary. He supported Just War. I took the position of Christian non-violence.
He was a very honest man and did not try to use verses out of context. At one point I just asked him: "Can you direct me to a single teaching of Jesus that in any way suggests we should ever be violent?'" He paused for just a second and then said: "No I can't. But Just War just makes sense." I always appreciated his sincerity.
I am not a non-violent Christian because I want to be. It is not easy. I am non-violent simply because I am a Christian. I believe in Jesus. It is pretty simple.
The term used in the New Testament for the words "believe in" has a different connotation than most people realize. It meant to trust in, to adhere to and to follow. Jesus taught peace. To follow Him at times doesn't make worldly sense. But I have chosen to follow.
To me this isn't an issue about war or peace but an issue about obedience. If I find Jesus calling me to a physical war I am ready to go. But He hasn't. Nor from His teachings do I believe He has called other Christians.
The term used in the New Testament for the words "believe in" has a different connotation than most people realize. It meant to trust in, to adhere to and to follow. Jesus taught peace. To follow Him at times doesn't make worldly sense. But I have chosen to follow.
To me this isn't an issue about war or peace but an issue about obedience. If I find Jesus calling me to a physical war I am ready to go. But He hasn't. Nor from His teachings do I believe He has called other Christians.
I do not find a contradiction with this and the Old Testament. That may surprise you.
Consider Cain's killing of Abel: there was no death penalty even though Cain was afraid of receiving such a penalty. (Genesis 4:14) But God prohibited it.
Consider Cain's killing of Abel: there was no death penalty even though Cain was afraid of receiving such a penalty. (Genesis 4:14) But God prohibited it.
Then came the flood. Look at Genesis 6:13. "God said to Noah, I intend to make an end of all flesh, for through men the land is filled with violence..."
After the flood you finally have the death penalty: Genesis 9:6 "who so sheds blood, by man shall his blood be shed..."
God continually tried to work with us. We kept failing. Next came the Mosaic laws. Again it didn't work.
Then came Jesus.
Jesus refers to the Mosiac laws in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew: Chapter 5:
Then came Jesus.
Jesus refers to the Mosiac laws in his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew: Chapter 5:
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
39 But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
40 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also.
41 And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.
42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor[and hate your enemy.’
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[do so?
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[do so?
48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect."
These are tough passages to accept and follow. But this is what Jesus taught.
The early church had something we today have mostly lost. They truly believed to die was gain and that a better place awaited. They believed non-believers, without Christ, had better fight for another day, for they were without salvation. But it was because early Christians believed non-believers were without salvation that they were willing to sacrifice their lives for them.
They had been called to bring people to salvation. To kill a non-Christian meant they were doing the opposite. They could have no part in killing a non-believer even if it meant they would lose their homes, their lives or even their families.
Consider Paul. He knew the Old Testament penalty for blasphemy was death. He orchestrated the execution of Stephen because of it. What was Stephen's response? Just as Jesus had taught: "While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep." (Acts 7:59-60)
Now remember how early Christians thought of Paul. He was an evil attacker of Christians - a terrorist! Yet Stephen is praying for him as he is about to die! Praying just as Jesus taught. He wasn't striking back. He wasn't cursing. He wasn't hating. He was living and dying as a non-violent, obedient Christian.
Have you ever wondered what could have happened if Peter and the rest of the early believers had taken the Just War theory and ran to Stephen's defense with swords? Stephen was innocent. Why not physically defend him? Peter could easily have killed Paul. Think of how severe that loss would have been.
Also realize that Paul knew the Old Testament as well as anyone. He knew the penalty for blasphemy was death. He believed Stephen to be a blasphemer. That is why he condemned him. Now think of Paul as a Christian, not bound by the law, but living in the Spirit. Now he knows who the real blasphemers are. He still knows the Old Testament. But why has he stopped executing people? What did Paul realize that most current Christians don't?
Also consider Paul's reference to the Roman government which he calls "servant of God" in Romans 13. Strange, isn't it, when you consider the Roman's considered Caesar a god? But the term he uses for servant refers to someone hired to do a specific task. Paul refers to himself as a bond servant. That is someone committed for life. There is a big difference.
The term "servant of God" is used sparingly in the Old Testament. But one person it is used of is Nebuchadnezzar in the book of Jeremiah. I am certain there is a relationship to how it is used in Jeremiah and how Paul used it in Romans. The early Christians clearly believed there was place for pagan government. But it was clear they as Christians couldn't defy Jesus' words and carry the sword for that government.
The New Testament teaches us to pray for our worldly leaders and to obey them - but not blindly... Obedience to God comes before obedience to man. This is a central theme in both the Old and the New Testaments.
Jesus taught non-violence. That is certain. So did the apostles and the early church. Will you?
Jesus taught non-violence. That is certain. So did the apostles and the early church. Will you?
My Journey
My journey to Christ started on a trip to Europe during the height of the cold war. At that time I was the typical American teenager. Visiting 17 countries over a 3 month period seemed like a great adventure. I had no idea how much it would change me.
1968 was a turbulent year. Martin Luther King was murdered in the spring. Bobby Kennedy was shot just days before I left. The Vietnam War was at its height. I encountered riots in Paris. Russia invaded Czechoslovakia. Everywhere I went each country had its own spin on the same event. And each spin was different.
Part of my trip included two weeks behind the Iron Curtain. It left me more than a little confused. I remember thinking that if my American friends had grown up in Russia, with the Russian press, they would love Russia and hate America. It was obvious that if the Russians I met had grown up in America, with our press, they would love this land and be willing to go to war against Russians. I remember thinking how crazy it was that place of birth would determine who I would love, who I would hate and who I would be willing to kill. I knew then there had to be something that would take that craziness and hate away. For a long time I never thought it could be Christ, as the Christians I knew were all ready to take up the physical sword.
Four years later I happened to be staying at a friend's apartment and started to read the First Letter of John. It was immediately obvious that I had found what I had been searching for.
But the Christians I knew insisted the "not killing thing" and actually "loving your enemies" was not Christian. So I would read the Bible and pray that God would reveal what was intended. But the more I read the Bible the more I became convinced that Jesus called His followers to a life of non-violence.
After a few months I started to read writings from the early church. I wanted to see what the Christians closest to Jesus believed. If I interpreted a teaching or passage from Christ one way and they interpreted it much differently the odds were I was probably wrong. I soon found they confirmed that which the Lord had been leading me to.
During my first year as a Christian I met only one other Christian who believed in the life of non-violence. That changed in 1973. I transferred back to the University of Oregon after a 2 year absence. I not only did not know any other non-violent Christians in Eugene I also didn't know any Christians. But before I left for that school year I prayed: "Lord please help me find some Christians I can truly fellowship with."
Within days after arriving I took a wrong turn and drove by a church with the sign identifying it as the Eugene Friends Church. I wasn't sure but I thought Friends were Quakers and Quakers believed in non-violence. I pulled to stop just as a man in suit came out the front door heading to the curbside mail box. He looked at me in my two seat convertible,with a large dog sitting next to me, and said hello. He was Don Lamm, pastor of the church. I asked him if this was a Quaker church. He nodded yes and then invited me to that evening's Wednesday night service. His invitation surprised me as it came from a man in a suit and my appearance could only be described as somewhat resembling counter-culture.
I gladly accepted his invitation and returned that evening. The welcome greeting I received from those in attendance to this day amazes me. One of the people I met was Ralph Beebe, a man many years my senior. We spent much of that evening visiting and we became and have remained close friends. God clearly and quickly answered my prayer that I find Christians I could fellowship with.
In 1980 Ralph saw a Bible study I was doing on scriptures that taught peace. He suggested we work together and create a book out of it. In 1980 Waging Peace: A Study in Biblical Pacifism was published.
John Lamoreau
But the Christians I knew insisted the "not killing thing" and actually "loving your enemies" was not Christian. So I would read the Bible and pray that God would reveal what was intended. But the more I read the Bible the more I became convinced that Jesus called His followers to a life of non-violence.
After a few months I started to read writings from the early church. I wanted to see what the Christians closest to Jesus believed. If I interpreted a teaching or passage from Christ one way and they interpreted it much differently the odds were I was probably wrong. I soon found they confirmed that which the Lord had been leading me to.
During my first year as a Christian I met only one other Christian who believed in the life of non-violence. That changed in 1973. I transferred back to the University of Oregon after a 2 year absence. I not only did not know any other non-violent Christians in Eugene I also didn't know any Christians. But before I left for that school year I prayed: "Lord please help me find some Christians I can truly fellowship with."
Within days after arriving I took a wrong turn and drove by a church with the sign identifying it as the Eugene Friends Church. I wasn't sure but I thought Friends were Quakers and Quakers believed in non-violence. I pulled to stop just as a man in suit came out the front door heading to the curbside mail box. He looked at me in my two seat convertible,with a large dog sitting next to me, and said hello. He was Don Lamm, pastor of the church. I asked him if this was a Quaker church. He nodded yes and then invited me to that evening's Wednesday night service. His invitation surprised me as it came from a man in a suit and my appearance could only be described as somewhat resembling counter-culture.
I gladly accepted his invitation and returned that evening. The welcome greeting I received from those in attendance to this day amazes me. One of the people I met was Ralph Beebe, a man many years my senior. We spent much of that evening visiting and we became and have remained close friends. God clearly and quickly answered my prayer that I find Christians I could fellowship with.
In 1980 Ralph saw a Bible study I was doing on scriptures that taught peace. He suggested we work together and create a book out of it. In 1980 Waging Peace: A Study in Biblical Pacifism was published.
John Lamoreau
What is your journey to Christ?Please share at the Forum.
