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Should Christians use violence to defend themselves and others? This is part two of a two-part series on Christians and violence. If you have not listened to part one, we would encourage you to listen to that conversation as well.
In part one, Wes McAdams, Luke Dockery, Brandon Britton, and Steven Cuffle all shared how they came to their current views on Christian and violence. They also discussed what early Christians believed about violence and why beliefs changed around the Fourth Century AD.
In part two, Wes, Luke, Brandon, and Steven tackle some common objections to the Christian nonviolence position. Here are some of the objections they discuss:
- The Bible is full of God-ordained wars and godly warriors. Doesn’t that prove it is sometimes necessary to use deadly force?
- Isn’t it immoral and sinful to allow other people to be hurt if you have the power to prevent it?
- Jesus told his apostles to buy a sword (Luke 22:36). Why would he do that if it was wrong for them to use deadly force?
- God ordains the government to use the sword to punish evildoers (Romans 13). How can it be wrong for us to participate in violence if God has ordained it?
As always, we hope this Bible study helps us all to love like Jesus.
Links and Resources:
- Video: Watch This Episode on YouTube
- Nonviolence: The Revolutionary Way of Jesus by Preston Sprinkle
- The Early Church on Military Service and Killing by Ronald J. Sider
- Podcast: The Early Church on Military Service and Killing: Dr. George Kalantzis
