08/22/20 DLG FB POST... PACIFISTS, VIOLENT ELECT, PEACEMAKERS

08/22/20 DLG FB POST... PACIFISTS, VIOLENT ELECT, PEACEMAKERS
(08/31/09)
I wrote and posted this FB NOTE 11 years ago. It is a short, straightforward address concerning the difference between Pacifists, The Violent Elect and Biblical Peacemakers.

"PACIFISTS," "THE VIOLENT ELECT" and "PEACEMAKERS"

Between the category of "PACIFISTS" (those who resist and reject the use of physical force, even in law enforcement and national defense)* and the category of "THE VIOLENT ELECT" (Catholic/Reformed position transferring Old Testament Kingdom practice to New Testament Church)*, there is the Biblical position of "PEACEMAKERS" (Christian non-violence, recognizing responsibility of the State to protect the righteous and punish the wicked with the sword*. (*) see comments...

* PACIFISTS... Pacifism asserts that differences between people (usually nations) can and should be settled peacefully, without force or violence. Pacifists fail to recognize that God gives New Testament authority to the State to use the sword in dealing with wicked people.

*THE VIOLENT ELECT... This is the belief that New Testament believers (the Elect) are allowed to take up arms, at the behest of the State, against those whom the State deems to be a threat to their authority or policies, whether military or civilian, as well as the right of individuals to take up arms against those who pose a personal threat.

One of the main arguments to support this position is based on the erroneous idea that the Old Testament laws pertaining to the Kingdom of Israel's sovereignty are transferable to the New Testament Church. Replacement Theology also views the Church as the extension of Old Testament Israel. Other than the fact that the New Testament Church does not replace Israel, another problem with this position is that God ruled Israel and directly chose Israel's wars and determined how those wars were to be fought. When Israel went beyond God's leading, Israel answered for its own violent disobedience.

*PEACEMAKERS... New Testament and early believers, for the first three hundred years of the Church, did not join the Roman Army or act violently against other people. (John the Baptist addressed the moral obligations of believers in the army and there were soldiers who converted to Christ Luke. 3:14). The early Christians practiced non-violence, but the Roman Church, and eventually the Reformed churches, assumed the practice of ancient pagans and Old Testament Israel, that allowed (required) believers to take up arms against the perceived enemies of the State and even those who were perceived as enemies of their religious groups.

Peacemaking is the position that God, in the New Testament, has given the sword of the Spirit (the Bible) to the Church (regenerated followers of Christ) for the converting of the lost and He has given the sword of physical force to the State (the unregenerate local and national government) for the purpose of protecting the righteous and punishing the wicked.

Romans 13:3-4
3) For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4) For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he bears not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that does evil.

All Men Must Submit to Authority
As a Peacemaker, I believe the State has the right and responsibility to protect the righteous and punish the wicked, using force (the sword) when necessary. When the State fails to do its job, it is in opposition to God. Just as Christians are obligated to obey legitimate authority, so the State is required to submit to the authority of God.
Romans 13:1-2
1) Let every soul (every soul includes government officials) be subject unto the higher powers (God is the highest power, authority). For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2) Whosoever (including the President of the United States) therefore resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
(Italicized notes are added).

NEW TESTAMENT VIEW OF CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE
There is not one single verse in the New Testament where Christians are commanded to take up arms against anyone.
By "Christians," I am referring to the elect of the Church age.
There is not one single verse in the New Testament where Christians are commended for taking up arms against anyone.
There is not one single verse in the New Testament where Christians are condoned for taking up arms against anyone.
The entire New Testament condemns violent actions by Christians.
In the only passage in the New Testament where a follower of Christ took up a weapon against anyone, Christ chastised the follower and restored the injured attacker to wholeness.
Luke 22:49
49) When they which were about him saw what would follow, they said unto him, Lord, shall we smite with the sword
John 18:10-11a-b
10) Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11) Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath...
Matthew 26:52 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.
Luke 22:51
51) ...And he (Jesus) touched his ear, and healed him (Malchus).

NEW TESTAMENT VIEW OF CHRISTIANS and VIOLENCE.
The New Testament says...
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Matthew 5:44 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 18:36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil...
Romans 12:19-21
19) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20) Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21) Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4
3) For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4) (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)
Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2 Timothy 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
James 1:20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.

ALSO CONSIDER...
WE ARE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST, NOT BEARERS OF THE STATE'S SWORD
2 Corinthians 5:19-20
19) To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20) Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us; we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.

Ambassadors are involved in diplomacy, not military action. It is incongruent for Christians to take up arms against those we are sent to reconcile to God.

WE ARE SOLDIERS FOR CHRIST, NOT FOR THE WORLD
2 Timothy 2:3-4
3) Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4) No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
Service under one Commander-in-Chief requires total loyalty. Service to Christ and His kingdom eliminates service to a worldly kingdom. The State and the Church do not have the same marching orders or the same objectives. You cannot fully serve the Prince of Peace as a peacemaker if you are waging carnal warfare on those for whom Christ died.
 

WE DO NOT OBEY MAN MADE LAWS CONTRARY TO GOD'S COMMANDS
Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

THE LIFE OF PEACEMAKING IS A LIFE OF ACTIVE AND BOLD FAITH.