Claiming he was a pacifist is wrong
by Greg Hopkins
(Note: Greg Hopkins is a former judge, a lawyer, a member of BamaCarry Inc, and a brother in Christ. Every Believer should read his book, “A Time to Kill: The Myth of Christian Pacifism”. See the link at the bottom of this page)
Some Christians say Jesus was a pacifist. They are either biblically ignorant, misinformed by their church, politically motivated or they are simply wrong—and some may truly be evil. Jesus said He came to fulfill the Law and Prophets, not to abolish them (Matt. 5:17). Therefore, everything God says about self-defense in the Bible applies for Christians.
God blessed Abram for killing the raiders who kidnapped Lot (Gen. 14). The Law allows us to kill the nighttime burglar (Exodus 2:2-3). We are to defend the lives of others (Lev. 19:16; Prov. 24:1012). David tells us that criminals can only be safely subdued by armed men (2 Sam. 23:2, 6-7). And God Himself has given us the technology to make weapons to defend ourselves (Is. 54:15-17). Pacifism has its place, but it is not carved in stone and other places exist.
When Jesus said in Matthew 5:39 “…whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also,” in the context of Matthew 5:21-48, He was addressing creating and repairing relationships. He is not talking about armed robbers or worse. He’s talking about people in our lives with whom it is difficult to get along.
Jesus uses the Greek word for slap which is rhapezei, meaning a sharp slap to correct an insolent servant or child. It’s not an attempt to cause physical injury but rather to insult a person. Jesus tells us turn the other cheek because healing and creating relationships are more important than our pride. He was not speaking of real attacks when you are supposed to defend yourself. How many robberies, rapes, or kidnappings must be met with slaps? Not defending yourself from actual harm would contradict the Hebrew Scriptures, which Jesus said moments before was not his intent. “Turn the other cheek” does not apply to criminal violence or warfare.
“When a strong man, fully armed,
guards his own homestead,
his possessions are undisturbed”
Luke 11:21-22
To Jesus’ audience, home defense was sanctioned by God and common sense. Jesus describes the prepared homeowner as not only strong, but armed and armored as well. Luke 11:21-22: “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own homestead, his possessions are undisturbed. But when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away all his armor in which the man trusted and divides up the plunder.” He endorsed having guard towers and walls to protect vineyards (Mathew 12), not “come in and take whatever you please from us.” When Jesus drove the money changers from the Temple, he demonstrated there are certain times when you must use force. The ultimate lesson is that peace and force are both part of life. To say Jesus was simply a pacifist is to distort the truth, and deny people’s right to protect themselves, their possessions and their families.
Thanks to our friends at Jews For The Preservation Of Firearm Ownership for this article.
Get Greg’s book, “A Time to Kill: The Myth of Christian Pacifism“
