A problem I have with this thesis is that it presents a different morality within the trinity.
We have a clear mandate again and again given By God in the OT to take life in warfare as soldiers of righteousness.
Secondly the rendering of Luke 13:14 from the KJV does not follow the meaning in the Greek. This verse is not commanding soldiers to refrain from violence as some are claiming. It refers to low paid soldiers not extorting money from folks by intimidating them.
Constructing a pacifist theology from this verse is not technically sound.
OT law is not NT Law. In Christ we have a New law that says that we are not to harm any man for any reason. Running to the OT to say that God allowed it then does not in any way show that the Lord wants us to do it now. Looking at the rendering in the KJV follows the exact path of the Greek and the message given throughout the rest of the NT, and that message is one of complete and total non-violence towards other people no matter the situation.
For no reason can we kill another man as they still have a chance at repentance and salvation and by killing them we rob them of this chance. That is a sin. Loving not our lives unto death is something we all must do, we must care about not just the lives and souls of our loved ones but about the lives and souls of those who we have never met, we must even care for the souls of our enemies. As Christ said.
Luke 6:31-35
31And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. 32For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. 33And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. 34And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
Matt 5:43-48
43Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
The Lord tells us that we are to have the same mercy on the wicked and the evil as the Lord showed us. By the Lord's love he cared enough to die for us that we might be saved. With that same love are we to love, with that same mercy are we to show mercy to the wicked and the evil who wish to harm us.
John 13:34-35
1 John 4:7-11,16-21
We are commanded to love one another as the Lord has loved us. And that love is to freely lay down our lives for our friends and to show mercy on the wicked and to love them as the Lord loved us(for he died to save the wicked and the evil that they may come to repentance and be saved through him).
John 15:10-13
Ephesians 2:4
Luke 5:31-32
It is this love that worketh no ill that we are all to have, preach, and show to everyone wicked and righteous alike.
Romans 13:10
Love not our lives unto death, not defend your life(or any other life) with violence.
Revelation 12:11
Romans 8:36
Matt 5:39
1 Peter 3:9
Romans 12:17-21
Overcome evil with good not with violence, overcome evil with love. And if we are killed by the wicked we should pray for those killing us as Stephen prayed for those who stoned him to death.
Acts 7:59
If we only love those who love us, and only do good to those who do good to us then we are no better than the people of this world. And the Love of Christ is not in us.
Additional verses.
James 1:19-20
Ephesian 4:26,31-32
1 Peter 3:8-14
Some try to use the passages about a strong man defending his household to say that we must defend our own with violence they also try to use the verse about the Lord telling the Apostles that he who hath no sword should sell his garment and buy one. I will be addressing these two theories briefly below.
Starting with Luke 22:
1. Christ said nothing about defending oneself with violence. This is what he was speaking of when he said:
35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
He that carried the purse and script was Judas(he was the only one with those things) he was speaking to what Judas would later do in turning him in
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
John 12:4-6
John 13:29
When he told he that had not the sword to buy the sword he spoke of peter who would draw up the sword
36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: andhe that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Matt 26:51-54
John 18:10-11
This was said to them because all that was spoken of him must be fulfilled.
37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough."
He spoke of what needed to be fulfilled of him not of self defense.
2. Next read carefully what is written in Luke 11:17-26
These verses are speaking about casting out devils, where they go afterward, protecting yourself against them, and what happens if you turn again to evil ways(verse 24-26). None of what is said is in support of violence but instead to guard ourselves from demons.
Most Christians believe its okay to kill or harm others while protecting themselves, family, or country. Most so called pastors agree, but the word of God says contrary. Christ Yahshua says in
Matthew 5:7-9
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:38-39
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matthew 5:44
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
John the Baptist told roman soldiers in,
Luke 3:14
14 And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
1 Peter 3:9 says,
9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
Ephesians 6:15 says,
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
When Paul was struck in the mouth he did not retaliate with violence,
Acts 23:2-3
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.
3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?
Revelation 13:10 says,
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.
Matthew 26:51-52
51 And, behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
52 Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.
Christ also says we are to be as wise as a serpepnt and as harmless as a dove,
Matt 10:16
Of course this goes against human nature. But Christ followers are to be separate and different than worldly people. They are peaceful, loving, and kind. When a man kills another man he takes not only his life but also that mans chance to repent and be saved. For all who die in sin are damned. This is why christians can not harm or kill anyone for any reason.
Romans 8:36
Revelation 12:11
No New Testament scripture says contrary. No! Not even one can be found. Anyone that teaches contrary is a liar and not teaching Christs one true doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:1
2 Timothy 4:3-4
Peace
