Is non-resistance biblical?

[Zebra1552]

non-resistance = non resistance to evil with evil. Using evil means like the killing of other people to bring about results you consider to be good.

Where on earth does the Bible say that killing people is wrong? I believe it says that MURDERING is wrong. Else God's guilty of sin, and we can't have that, now can we?

 

[callmeMurph]

Where on earth does the Bible say that killing people is wrong? I believe it says that MURDERING is wrong. Else God's guilty of sin, and we can't have that, now can we?

Murdering, killing, whats the difference? The only difference I see is that killing is supposedly justified because people agree it is.

 

[Zebra1552]

Murdering, killing, whats the difference? The only difference I see is that killing is supposedly justified because people agree it is.

Are you serious? Murder, biblically, is wrong, and killing is something that's engaged in QUITE frequently. Haven't you read the OT? God COMMANDS it many times. God kills people directly many times, even in the NT. Murder is the unlawful killing of another. Granted, most killing is unlawful. Self defense is not under certain circumstances. Once again, if you think killing is evil then you are saying GOD is evil.

 

[callmeMurph]

Are you serious? Murder, biblically, is wrong, and killing is something that's engaged in QUITE frequently. Haven't you read the OT? God COMMANDS it many times. God kills people directly many times, even in the NT. Murder is the unlawful killing of another. Granted, most killing is unlawful. Self defense is not under certain circumstances. Once again, if you think killing is evil then you are saying GOD is evil.

How can we be sure that our killing in the name of God is good?

 

[Walter Kovacs]

Our killing? I don't know anyone who kills in the name of God...

 

[callmeMurph]

Our killing? I don't know anyone who kills in the name of God...

If it is OK to kill people in certain circumstances how can we know when these circumstances are?

 

[Walter Kovacs]

Well, self-defense is a good place to start. Just war, (the literature on just war theories is enourmous, and pretty interesting), intervening to stop a life-threatening crime, etc, etc, etc.

 

[Zebra1552]

How can we be sure that our killing in the name of God is good?

That isn't what I'm talking about.

 

[Zebra1552]

If it is OK to kill people in certain circumstances how can we know when these circumstances are?

Try starting with the law of the land.

 

[callmeMurph]

Try starting with the law of the land.

That would be a good place to start, but I'm asking what is right in God's eyes, not man's.

 

[Zebra1552]

That would be a good place to start, but I'm asking what is right in God's eyes, not man's.

God gave the command, Do Not Murder, and revealed to Paul that we should obey the governing authorities. Why should we ignore this?

 

[Emmy]

Dear callmeMurph. You had quite a few replies, and the one Jesus gives: " offer the other cheek" will only work if we become as loving as Jesus wants us to become . In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: The first and great Commandment is: Love thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states the fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters. When someone other than a Christian hits our cheek, we immediately react with love. "Why the anger or enmity? I am sorry, but I did not mean to offend," then in nearly all cases we offered the other cheek. If the slapping man is trying to harm us, and we know that for sure, there are only two ways for us to behave: either walk/run away, or defend ourselves. But God would still prefere the peaceful and loving way. Yes, I believe that God wants us to love, rather than to fight or do worse. I say this with love, Murph, and send greetings. Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[s_s]

God gave the command, Do Not Murder, and revealed to Paul that we should obey the governing authorities. Why should we ignore this?

Actually, Murph has a good point. Yes, you're right, we should hold ourselves subject to the civil authorities, BUT what if they don't line up with Scripture? So take the "law" as we know it, set it aside, and work out what Gods ruling is on the subject.
(And I know that God has a hand in who are the leaders and rule-makers, I know those verses, this is simply an exercise in theology rather than any ignoring of sound doctrine...)

Just wanted to open that up, I have no sound basis towards either side, I trust God to tell me when I'm faced with a situation what I should do.

 

[Zebra1552]

Actually, Murph has a good point. Yes, you're right, we should hold ourselves subject to the civil authorities, BUT what if they don't line up with Scripture? So take the "law" as we know it, set it aside, and work out what Gods ruling is on the subject.

Is there any reason to believe the current laws on when killing is okay are against the Bible?

 

[s_s]

I have no idea, I live in a different country (one where it's closer to morning than last night).
Just opening up the possibilities, showing that Murph had a valid point.

In my country, there definitely is a discrepancy/ potential discrepancy, especially surrounding protection of property.

 

[callmeMurph]

Is there any reason to believe the current laws on when killing is okay are against the Bible?

The way I look at it we should follow what God says, that's all that matters. If man's laws line up with the Bible then that's great, if they contradict it then we should ignore them.

 

[Zebra1552]

The way I look at it we should follow what God says, that's all that matters. If man's laws line up with the Bible then that's great, if they contradict it then we should ignore them.

In what way does that answer my question?

 

[callmeMurph]

In what way does that answer my question?

It doesn't, it says that your question is irrelevant... unless you can explain why it should matter?

 

[Harry3142]

callmeMurph-

The confusion over Jesus' teaching is in part due to our failure to recognize the specific people to whom he was speaking. They were all Jews who had studied the laws and commandments since childhood and accepted them as their way of living. But even though they believed in keeping the laws of Moses, they still could get emotional at times and lose control, especially when debating each other.

This could lead to one of them becoming too physical with the other. Once that occurred there were three different routes that it might take. It could escalate further into a potentially life-threatening episode (they were known to have carried daggers in the folds of their garments). Charges could be filed against the transgressor, with the possible result being the loss of his home and his being forced into slavery for seven years. Or the person slapped could turn the other cheek, thereby neutralizing the emotional base for the slap and ending the conflict without further repercussions.

But those words were never intended as an order to permit a deliberate attack on yourself or your family while doing absolutely nothing to prevent it. Criminal activity is not to be seen in the same light as an emotional outburst. It is one thing to 'screw up' while trying to do what's right; it is quite another to choose the path of evil, seeing those around them as nothing more than prey animals to be harvested as they see fit.

 

[callmeMurph]

Harry, I've already agreed that turning the other cheek is about insults.

I've been thinking about it though. Maybe non-resistance isn't exactly my question. Perhaps non-violence is more of what I was wondering. You can resist without being violent...anyways, I'm still not convinced that Christians using violence is ok. I have to note that I'm not convinced it is wrong either, the main reason I posted this was in hopes that someone had something convincing to add. I appreciate everyone's attempts to explain it from their point of view though.