For one of my college classes, I have been reading a book that postulates, based on New Testament texts and the writings of early church fathers, that Christianity was originally a pacifist, non-violent religion. He believes that a shift came about when Christianity started to become more of a "state religion" and had to accomodate the needs of Christian rulers, soldiers, and statesmen. In light of some of Jesus' teachings about loving our neighbor and "turning the other cheek," I want to give his ideas fair consideration. This leads me to ask two questions:
"If Christianity was originally a non-violent religion, are Christians today outside of God's will when we go to war, support capital punishment, or pray for victory over our national enemies?"
"If Jesus preached non-violence, what happened to the picture of God as divine warrior and the people of God as his agents of (violent) justice we see in the Old Testament?"
Thank you for your thoughts!
"If Christianity was originally a non-violent religion, are Christians today outside of God's will when we go to war, support capital punishment, or pray for victory over our national enemies?"
"If Jesus preached non-violence, what happened to the picture of God as divine warrior and the people of God as his agents of (violent) justice we see in the Old Testament?"
Thank you for your thoughts!